LS100 up and running.
 

Just fired up the LA100 and I don't even know where to begin. Better detail and separation with a wider sound stage than my C220. Mid's are stronger as is the bottom end with more attack and decay. I tell you I cannot wait to see what a different CDP and phono stage will be able to accomplish. The gentleman I picked the LS100 from also had a Mullard GZ34 and two Sophia Electra 6SN7's, the recommended tube upgrades as per Modwright. They only have about 200 hrs on them so some additional break in is required. And not a bad deal at about half on regular MSRP.
So back to listening and boxing up the C220 for it's new owner. After that more research on CDP's while I watch the Saints and 49er's game :)

Congratulations!

I've heard of Modwright, but never really understood what folks were talking about. Just now went onto their web site. Interesting company and history. I see that a store near me has at least a pre-amp. I'll have to go have a listen.

Enjoy!

I have a LS100 with the same Mullard GZ34, but chose the Shuguang Black Treasure CV-181"Z" over the Sophias. I put about 500 hours on each set before going back and forth. The Sophias are marvelous tubes. Had I started with them, (I started with the BT), I probably would have stopped. The BTs give me a little more warmth, sweetness, and are just a tad more romantic sounding, which is what I wanted.

Maybe if you get a chance down the road, try a pair of the BT's. I did try the new BT version (CV-181"T"), but liked the "Z" version better.

Whatever you end up with for tubes, this is a WONDERFUL preamp!

Thanks for adding your perspective! If the seller hadn't had the Mullard and the Sophia's I might have started another way but with less than 200 hrs on the tubes I couldn't let them pass @ $150 which is about what one Mullard would have cost. What I really to do it get se hrs on them and see how things open up.

AND WELCOME TO AF!!!!

Hi Don (and any other LS100 owners)

I'm new to the forum and realize this thread has been dormant for 6 wks or so, but thought I'd ask about your ongoing impressions of the LS100. I'm considering picking one up and very much appreciate owner's commentary after the pre has been in their system for a while ... i.e. is the honeymoon over or still unfolding :)

Thanks kindly,

Todd

Well... I just stepped over that line from consideration to check-writing. Will be receiving this bad boy in a week or so. Very excited to re-introduce valves into the signal path.

I've also decided to double down on well recorded SACD purchases. So next up, a rip-roaringly good SACD player will be ambling into the acquisition cross-hairs.

I'm considering an Oppo-BDP95 with MW truth-mod. Would be very interested to hear other's opinions on favorite SACD source equipment.

Cheers

http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/i/f/1310273727.jpg

Congratulations! Keep us updated.

There are several of us here that are very happy with the overall performance of the MCD-1100. It is an great all around performer as a CD player, a DAC and SACD player.

Jim

Jim.......A BIG +1.

I have tried this pre on several occasions and it is a steal for the price. The LS100 in combination with the KWA 150 is a match made in heaven.
Highly recommended!

Hi Davros - just noticed your post. I have been auditioning a loaner LS100 for a few months now from Dan and I agree with you - it is a fantastic preamp, even without considering it's amazing cost/value proposition. The optional phono stage is extremely high performing as well! Tell us more about the rest of your system... :music:

I'm getting one!
I guess that's all I have to say. but I'm excited.
I've been using a DAC as a preamp so hopefully this is a bit of a revelation. I have lots of NOS tubes to roll. sounds fun.

Cool! When do you expect it to arrive? Be sure to let us know how you like it. What is the rest of your system comprised of?

Well, I expect it to ship soon. So, a week?

I'll try to build-out my signature.

mac mini > Oppo BDP-105 > XLR > Pass Labs X250 > Salk HT3 > earballs

I had a W4S DAC2 and I'm feeling the the Oppo is crushing it as a DAC. The fact that the 105 plays any disc really well is sweet bonus.
I AM considering Dan's mod for the Oppo but, since it seems like a preamp is an important step, I'm checking that off first.

Based on my listening experience with the LS100 and the ModWright Oppo 95, I agree that starting with the LS100 first is the correct sequence. It seems that there are several people that run the Oppos directly into their amps, but I have found that this does not sound as good as with an active preamp (in my case, the LS100) in the chain. The stock 95 did not sound as good at all direct to amps (the tube modified 95 is better) and I would expect the 105 to be similar.

Let us know your impressions once you receive your LS100! :music:

I'm looking forward to it. Thanks for the input on my sequence of things, JJ.
Not having much alternative, I think direct-connecting my Oppo to my amp sounds really nice. My only complaint (without hearing a real preamp) is that the volume control is janky on the Oppo. At level 1, it starts too loud and only goes a little louder than I require at level 100.

I spent some time late night listening to the headphone out of the LS100 into my AKG550s. This was the first time I really spent some serious listening time with this feature, and I was really blown away with how nice it sounded! The LS100's headphone output is outstanding! :music:

I might have to look into a pair of HD700s or other similar quality headphones now...:scratch2:

I just got mine set up on Sunday. So far it sounds really good. It's a blast rolling tubes again. I'm getting some grain in the vocals and etching in the treble, though. I'm not sure if it's my tubes or if my LS100 needs some burn-in. I bought it used but that thing looks new (to me).
I can say that I prefer my short coke-bottle rectifier to my metal base GZ34. It's a NOS Mullard but I forget the model number. I'll report back with that.
I definitely want to give my headphones a listen after reading the 6 Moons review! Wish I had a longer cable for my Audezes now.

Glad to read that you received your unit. You might look at trying new tubes and/or switching places with your tubes if the sound doesn't smooth out...

I am using the Sophia Electric 6SN7s and a NOS Mullard GZ34 for the rectifier on mine. The break-in time has really been a long one for this preamp. I thought it was done by now but still noticing some changes this past weekend. I haven't been tracking time as closely as I should, but I am guessing I am easily over 200 hours now.

I've had some pretty big ups and downs running my LS100 in. I have not been very patient, though, and have tried about 8 pairs of driver tubes.
At this moment, I'm really liking the Ken Rads with my Mullard CV593 rectifier (mentioned above). I would encourage anyone with this preamp to try the CV593. They can be found on Ebay for around $100. Pretty typical price for a nice rectifier. It strikes a very wide soundstage and is a bit fuller in the bass. I think it gives up some punch to the Metal base GZ34 but that's about it.
Anyway, this weekend, I rolled-in my TSBGRPs and was pretty unimpressed. These are my favorite drivers in my Woo Audio WA22 by a long way. Weird.

Oh and the CV593 fits in the LS100 case.

Thanks for the feedback on the rectifier tubes. I will keep my eyes open for a Mullard CV593.

Has the sound smoothed out as the unit has been breaking in?

I don't know. The sound has moved all over the place but I think it's my Oppo (stock bdp-105) that's doing the most burning-in. That thing has a thousand capacitors. I also have some chunky speaker cables that aren't done burning-in yet. And even the tubes I have in the LS100 might not be fully burned-in.
Lots of stuff that need to stabilize, but I'm happy enough with my current setup to leave it alone and let it do its thing (for a while).
'course, now I remember that I just bought a NOS Brimar rectifier off Ebay. I'll want to give that a whirl.

LS100 up and running
 

Hi,

there is a way to build two or more graphs in th same report?

I have a query with many columns sorted by data, and I would like to have a graph for each column.
X always data, Y one of the columns.

Thanks, Davide.

LS100 w/DAC option
 

Do you have the DAC option? Interested in comparative impressions specifically with the KWI-200 onboard DAC.

Just awaiting delivery of a new ModWright LS100 and an Alluxity Power One Stereo amplifier to drive my Klipschorns. I’d been running all SS in my system for many years and want to get back to tubes in the chain. Can’t wait to hear the setup.

I look forward to your impressions. I suspect you will be very pleased with the LS100!

Just want to report back that after listening to the new equipment for a couple of months now I find it fantastic. I am more than pleased with the LS100. Great stuff.