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Sonic Frontier or Modwright 9.0SE for Aragon Amp

I am looking to get more details on my current system, which consist of Aragon 8008BB, Aurum Pream, and Logan SL3. After some research on what will give me better synergy with my current amp, I have narrowed it down to two amps;

1. Bryston BP25
2. Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 Preamp

I am kinda leaning towards the Sonic Frontiers pream simply because it is also a tube preamp. But lately I have been reading about the Modwright SWL 9.0 Signature...

While there seems to be a good synergy between the Aragon and the SFL-1, I am however uncertain of how the Modwright preamp will mate with my amp, and hence my reason for seeking your opinion.

And no, I have no option for demoing any of the gears; I am in Dar es salaam, Tanzania!

Thanks in advance
planckscale
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,982 posts
 
I was a Sonic Frontiers dealer and have owned the SFL-1, ( and many other SFI pieces).

While the SFL-1 was indeed a very nice unit, it's not in the same league as the Modwright. The 9.0 Sig was one of my favorite preamps that I have ever owned.

IMHO, the 9.0 Sig will mate very well with your Aragon amp.
planckscale OP
60 posts
 
Thanks for the input. I guess the Modwright worth more than its weight in gold, because the two are basically at par it terms of cost. What about synergy? The Aragon 8008BB has relative low input impedance, 22k Ohms.

Will appreciate more inputs...
cathode
72 posts
 
The SFL-1 is indeed tube, but not ALL tube. The signal goes through a Burr Brown analog volume control integrated circuit. It's used only to attenuate, not for gain. But if you're seeking true 'tube' preamps, I'd look elsewhere.

That said, I did own a Line 2 for a few years. It's a good sounding unit. Is a BAT preamp in your price range? That would be my recommendation. All tube, balanced, detail, warmth, low Zout. I also owned one of these; quite an improvement over the Sonic Frontiers.
csmgolf
887 posts
 
I agree with Cathode. At least consider a BAT in your price range. I have not tried the SF or Modwright, but have had both a BAT VK5i and VK31 with my Aragon Palladium II monos, and they work very well together. I still own the VK31. The Palladium II is the monobloc version of the 8008.
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