TESTIMONIALS X

• "...the KWA drives my [Salk] HT3's with ease. Other amps I, and others, have tried struggle to control the HT3's - so a great start and a feather in the cap for the KWA . For me realistic reproduction of music has to include solid deep bass, many systems I've heard are severely lacking in this area....the KWA's have the deepest, tightest and most articulate bass I've heard. One of my favorite tracks for bass is Piano Smasher from Blue Man Group, the bass from the KWA hits you in the chest - which it should. At the same time I need an amp that combines the slam of Mike Tyson with the grace of a ballerina, many amps can accomplish these seperately but few can do it at the same time - the KWA 150 is an amp that can combine these tasks simultaneously.... LATER FEEDBACK: ...the amp has about 500 hours on it and a 36.5 is now in place. I mentioned the strong bass as a first impression in my previous post, driving my Salk HT3's I'm still shocked that this amp can drive them with ease and the bass has become tighter and even deeper with the 36.5. So much so I think Dan should rename the amp 'Thor's Hammer' a much better description of what it delivers than KWA! I clearly have a preference to listen in high bias mode, smoother and more musical in my system than low bias. I also found the amp benefits significantly from a 400-500 hour burn-in - it becomes smoother and more refined with time, patience here is rewarded. Over the last few years I've found the 'audition by subtraction' approach is the real acid test for me, so this weekend I took the KWA out of my system and replaced it with my MF KW500. The KW500 is a great value and underrated package IMHO and has provided me with a few years of great listening enjoyment. The conclusion was very obvious, I missed the superior detail and musical involvement from the KWA. I've re-read Srajans review again (it takes a few reads to extract the detail in his reviews) and believe he nails it, the KWA is a magical amp. The only way I can now beat this is with a brace of KWA's to make Thor's Hammers!"
  — P. Martin, , , USA
  
• "The KWA 150 was the final piece to complete an all Modwright system with the LS 36.5 DM Linestage, Modwright Transporter, SLWP 9.0 Phono Stage and now the KWA 150 all paired with Vandersteen 5A. Music effortlessly flows like water from an inky black background. Vocals are natural. Highs just shimmer, Instruments decay naturally with what I refer to as an unbelievable natural HANG TIME! Inner detail, Nuance and dynamic shadings opens a window deep into the music. You will hear things, voices, even muffled voices by the musicians, shuffling that you never knew existed. Kick drums thwack with impact and heft and wind instruments are presented with an unbelievable realism as if the player is right in there with you. Totally spooky! I have caught myself suddenly looking around to see if someone else is in the room only to realize its just the music. Most times, I just can't help grinning sheepishly to myself marveling at the realism of this amps presentation. All the while listening at low levels listening mostly to Jazz (Monk, Mingus, Miles, Brubeck etc) The few times that I have cranked it up a bit listening to hip hop on the Transporter, the energy that this amp delivers is so palpable that you feel it deep inside you. I have never ever listened to an amp that delivers so much palpable energy to dance music in a home setting that rivals a night club! Close your eyes and you will be transported to a live performance. I have received numerous comments comparing the sound to a live performance. The KWA 150 by Dan Wright is highly resolving, fast, detailed and opens a musical window to the Truth, The whole Truth and nothing but the Truth! "
  — I. Osuagwu, , , USA
  
• "I have never ever heard the level of inner detail, resolution, speed and dynamic impact that this amp is delivering before in my system. At low volumes the sound is so full, so detailed that there is no reason to even crank it up. Simply amazing! - I. Osuagwu, USA, 2.01.09 While I am not a reviewer, I am lucky enough to be one of the first owners of a ModWright Instruments KWA 150. My KWA 150 is being used in stereo mode and driving the mid and ribbon tweeter portions of a pair of Magnepan 3.6/R’s. A pair of Bryston 7B SST’s are driving the bass panels. Pre-amplification is performed by Dan’s SWL9.0SE 'Signature Edition', and my source is a Denon DVD-5900 with tube PS 9.0 modified by Dan several years ago. Five of the 5.1 channels (not the .1) were modified in this universal player, so it is quite unique. A Marchand 2-way electronic crossover separates the frequencies at 280Hz for HP and LP using 24dB slopes. A Velodyne DD-12 (soon to be replaced by a DD-15 in a few days) takes care of sub duties below 40Hz. Power conditioning by Running Springs Audio. The amplifier’s construction, fit and finish are second to none. The light blue glows emanating from the MW logo power button and top plate add an elegant touch to the overall appearance. Good clean power is what this amplifier is all about. Just as another reviewer stated, the resolution and detail of this amplifier is incredible. I hear every subtle finger / lip movement and breath. Dynamics and transients are mind blowing. Everything has such natural timbre, and instruments are reproduced with perfect attack and decay. Even with the most complex passages, the KWA 150 has the ability to keep each and every instrument separate while exhibiting perfect control. Every instrument and voice has a well-defined point of origin and excellent dispersion giving a sense of a natural openness and airiness as if the performer or instrument was right there in front of you. The eerie quietness of this amp allows for the details of any selection to be clearly heard. In my system, the Maggie 3.6/R’s now have limitless borders, as soundstage depth is clearly apparent, and instruments extend way beyond the edges of the speakers. The incredible thing is that the KWA 150 does this with a sense of ease and is able to put out more without strain if needed. While low level volume with this amp is stunning, increasing the volume gives you an even greater sense of “being there.” My wife stated, “It sounds like we’re at the performance.” I have never experienced this with other amps that I’ve owned. As Dan has stated, this amp gives you the qualities of a tube amp but with SS slam. I completely agree. I am now left breathless and stunned with the music produced from my system and constantly look forward to another toe tapping session. This amp is definitely one of the components that I would hold onto if I had to sell everything else and start fresh in building a new system. If every Maggie planar and electrostatic speaker owner could hear this amp, then they will definitely enjoy their speakers all the more. Bravo and Congrats. My hats off to both Alan and Dan for producing this work of art and releasing a product with such excellent quality that performs at this high level. It’s even more incredible to offer this amp at its price point, as I would happily pay much more for it."
  — K. Moy, , , USA
  
• "The Modwright KWA150 stereo power amp took me by surprise straight out of the box. After a brief burn in period, the amp was very impressive to say the least (in my $50,000 HiFi set up). A tube-like warm, but crystal clear and detailed sound eminates from the KWA150 ...with as perfect as you can get timing and muscial decay. This is a very organic, musical and involving/engaging amp with excellent soundstaging and natural deep bass. The sound is non fatiguing and has a naturalness about it. The background noise is almost non-existant - the amp is dead quiet - but can run a little hot in the high-bias setting. I have to say that this is the best stereo power amp that I have heard-to-date (Krell, Levinson, Gryphon, Bryston, Electrocompaniet, Audia Flight, Musica, Jeff Rowland, EAD + many more). "
  — Audiocircle Moniker: Jfunky7 , Melbourne, , Australia
  
• "Without knowing that I was listening to the KWA, I honestly guessed I was listening to a tube amp. Not because of tube like coloration, but because the KWA got some things right that I usually associate only with the very best tube amps - it captured the tone and texture of instruments with a rare realism. The resonances, the feel, and nuances of drums are accurate preserved just like the richness and falsetto of Antony's voice on 'The Lake'. The KWA immediately reminded me of the Shindo amps I have heard so far which truly excel in capturing instruments as well. The KWA is very well balanced and neutral; if at all I would describe it as slightly on the warm side (which to me is also just an expression of the very natural reproduction of instruments). The KWA not only seems to preserve the correct overtones and nuances of each instrument, it keeps the phase and timing relations intact. It does not cut short decays as some solid state amps do, instead decays are extended and just right. Separation between instruments is excellent with a very wide soundstage. It captures the ambiance of the hall very well. "
  — Rene , , , US
  
• "Before I hooked the KWA 150 into my system I listened to a few favorite cuts with the Musical Fidelity amp so I would have a fresh reference. I did not expect the KWA 150 to blow the socks off the MF right out of the box, but that is exactly what it did. The difference was not subtle. The clarity, detail, bass extension, transients are incredible. The amp has a natural sound and realism that is second to none. Throughout the full range I could tell I was listening to a great amp. The bass was tight and quick with full extension, the vocals are very natural and the highs are crisp. You hear every instrument, every note with clarity. After listening to the KWA 150 for several hours what really impresses me is how emotionally engaging the amp is. It really draws you into the music. In my opinion, Dan more than achieved his design goals of combining the power, control and bass extension of SS amps with the warmth and natural "live" sound of tubes. Some of the music I listened to was "My Father's Eyes " from Eric Clapton's "Pilgrim" (tight bass with full extension-heard every note, really clean 'in the room' percussion and great imaging on the vocal); "Hotel California" (the flamenco guitar style introduction was fabulous and when the bass drum kicks in you feel it) and "The Last Resort" (every piano note was crisp, clean and natural sounding) from the Eagles "Hell Freezes Over"; Francesca Beghe's "Lost in America" (her powerfull vocal range really shines with this amp): Neko Case's "Middle Cyclone" CD really demonstrated the natural sound and accuracy of the midrange; the 3-D soundstaging was really demonstrated by The New Pornographers "Myriad Harbour" from "Challengers." The next evening I had friends over for dinner and to "listen to records." It was an all vinyl evening. Can you imagine 4 women sitting for 4 hours just listening to music and the only conversation was about the music? That is how emotionally engaging this amp is. They commented how real and natural the music sounded--live and in the room. A couple of highlights were "Crying" from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab's "The All Time Greatest Hits of Roy Orbison and Wilco's "Impossible Germany." Roy's vocal was simply breathtaking. I saw Wilco in concert last summer so I know what "Impossible Germany" sounds like live and I could swear Nels Cline was in the room with us as he played his guitar. As I write this I probably have about 50 hours on the amp and it just keeps getting better. Before I close this post, I want to mention that I believe there is a real synergy between this amp and Lou Hinkley's Daedalus speakers. They make beautiful music together. I really wasn't looking for a new amp when Lou told me about Dan's new amp. As I have gotten to know Lou, I have learned to really trust his ear so I decided to give the KWA 150 a listen. All I can say is I'm really glad I did. I know I am going to get years of enjoyment from this amp. Congratulations to Dan, Alan and the entire ModWright team. You have designed and built a phenomenal amp. "
  — Laura , , WA, USA
  
• "You won't be getting the amp back Dan ;-) I'll send a full report later after more break in, but this thing is BETTER than the $25K Levinson monoblocks in some ways. Bass. I have REL subs connected to the terminals of your amp and they have never sounded this good. Rock solid imaging. The two channels must be perfectly matched. Center image is dead on, and there are those sounds that come from outside the speakers. Great job Dan!!!"
  — Jim Capers, , ,
  
• "

  I am a dyed-in-the-wool tube guy. I bought the KWA-150 as a backup amp that could break in some speakers and for use in a second system I am putting together. Based on the reviews, I figured it would be a good-sounding piece of gear, but never capable of replacing my tube amps. I was completely wrong. This is a lot more than a good amp- it is a great amp. The midrange is excellent, it has firm control of the bass, and the microdynamics are amazing. Whatever it lacks in "tubey-ness", which is not much, it more than makes up for with its other virtues. I may never become a fan of solid state gear, but I am a strong believer in the KWA-150.

  "
  — J. Blackburn, , , USA