KWA: What it means and why our amps sound the way they do…

January 25, 2026

Solid-state design guided by musical ideals

High end audio amps are typically categorized into the following camps:

MOSFET or BJT
Class A, AB, or D
Warm or analytical
Fast or forgiving

These are categories and generalizations about sound, that don’t clearly define ModWright’s KWA series of amplifiers.

The KWA amps were never designed to fit neatly into a category.
They were designed to answer a more meaningful question:

How do we build a solid-state amplifier that preserves musical truth across real speakers, real rooms, and real listening levels?

To understand the answer, it helps to know what KWA stands for.

What does KWA Mean?

KWA stands for Kimmel Wright Amplifier. In the early 2000’s, I collaborated with Alan Kimmel to design the KWA 150 amplifier. We both enjoyed the sound of tubes and agreed that solid state power stood alone in many respects. The key was how to combine the musicality of tubes with the power, control and impact of solid state.

The result was a collaboration between engineering design and musical intent—between circuit behavior and musicality. We started with a clean sheet of paper, ignoring all aspects of conventional solid state power amplifier design.

From the beginning, the goal was not to create a “solid-state sound,” but to create an amplifier that:

  • Drives speakers with authority
  • Preserves harmonic integrity
  • Prioritizes musicality over measurement.

The key circuit that arose from this collaboration, credited to Alan Kimmel, is the Solid State Music StageTM. The name speaks intent and realizes our design goal.

The KWA Design Philosophy

Every KWA amplifier begins with the same priorities:

  • Low distortion, low noise, dynamic and natural sound.
  • High bias, Class A or Class AB, that maximize sonics.
  • Strong power supply designs to anchor the power center of the amp.
  • Output stages chosen for tonal character, not measurements.

We don’t design amplifiers to provide impressive measurements. Our amps measure well, and sound is paramount in our design decisions. We design our amps to enable the listener to relax, enjoy the music, and escape the realities of our world today.

Why KWA Amps Don’t Sound “Solid-State” in the Usual Sense

Our customers often describe KWA amplifiers as:

  • Dimensional
  • Effortless
  • Resolving without being harsh
  • Warm without losing any resolution

We achieve this by following our own design path, eschewing global negative feedback, with our own clean and distilled approach to audio realization.

ModWright’s KWA Sound

At ModWright Instruments, we have a holistic approach to system design. We design our amplifiers to integrate the full bodied and 3-dimensional presentation of tubes with the clean and incisive resolution and power of transistors. Tube amps have fantastic midrange, body and weight, but often lack bass impact, power and drive. Solid state amps can have power, impact and ruthless transparency, but often at the expense of natural organic sound. We wanted neither warm and polite, nor resolving and bleached or harsh. We knew there was a way to achieve true harmonic and tonal balance, that the human ear would recognize as real music.

It is the combination of the strength of both tube and solid state sonic signatures that make the KWA amp sound complete.

The KWA Amplifiers in chronological order:

KWA 150/KWA – 150SE 150W BJT based Reference stereo power amplifier (150W@8/250W@4; 450W@8 and 600W@4 in bridged mono).

KWA 100/KWA 100SE –100W Mosfet stereo amp (100W@8/ 175W@4).

KWI 200 – 200W solid state Integrated amp (200W@8/ 400W@4).

KWH 225I – 225W Tube solid state hybrid integrated (225W@8/ 450W@4).

KWA 99 – Mosfet Monoblock power amps (100W@8/200W@4).

KWA 300 (Coming Q1, 2026) – BJT basedHigh Current Reference stereo power amp (300W@8/550W@4;  Monoblock version to follow (600W@8/1100W@4; 2000W@2)

Looking Ahead

In upcoming articles, we’ll explore:

  • Why MOSFET and BJT debates often miss the real point
  • Why power supply design matters.
  • What power really means and what is needed to properly drive modern speakers.

Our amplifiers are not designed to fit into a specific category. Rather, to make the best sound possible in modern systems, with a holistic approach to audio design.

Just Ask Us!

If you are considering a new amplifier for your system and are confused about technology, tube or SS, Class A, AB or D, feel free to reach out and we will gladly answer your questions. Call us directly or your nearest ModWright dealer or distributor.

At ModWright we are happy to discuss why a ModWright KWA amplifier fits your system.

Dan Wright – CEO ModWright Instruments

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