Mikelll1,
I chose the BAT after running the DNA 500. The DNA 5OO drove the Andras nicely but it lacked a bit of top end clarity and air. It turns out the VK600se really improves on the DNA in every area - not just the top end. I love the DNA 500 sound (I still own it and use it in another system) and I think the VK has a similar personality. I suspect this is due to the Mosfet output devices both use. Also, I got it to match with the First Sound preamp and its 1600 ohm output impedance. The FS did not match ideally with the DNA 500's 10k ohm input impedance. The VK has an an input impedance of 100k.

I have no issues with the VK but for one - to sound its best takes 2 hours of warm up. Once it's warmed up, it just blooms and sounds amazing.

I would love to try the Pass .5 amps too. I really like their sound.

The 600se runs pretty hot (can't really leave your hand on the heat sinks for more than a second or two) so I assume they are biased more towards class A.

What do you think you're missing running the 501s?

colopilot February 19, 2009 20:29

System edited: New rack and a pic added.

colopilot April 26, 2008 00:03

Hi Mitch, Sorry to be so late responding but I only just now saw your post.

The difference between the FS and the LS36.5+ are pretty substantial. I was pretty surprised.

First off, I have Amperex 7308 tubes in the FS which gives it a bit more tubey presentation. People say the FS is not tubey and I would agree - it is not a CJ preamp. But it does not have a sterile or strident sound like you might think. It sounds like a really, really good SS pre - very neutral and very balanced.

The stock EH6922 were really sour sounding. I kinda think the pair I had were sick because I have never heard 6922s sound the way they did in the FS in anything else. I have tried other NOS 6922 tubes too but the 7308 had the best balance.

So with the 7308 tubes the FS sounds great - deep bass with punch, mids are neutral - not super tubey but not etched or sterile sounding either - and the highs are solid and extended. What I like best about the FS is its soundstage. It is big and wide and it has fantastic separation and air around instruments and vocals. It is also dead quiet - and I mean dead quiet. Silence is what you hear between tracks. I live in an extraordinarily quiet place so I hear everything.

The LS36.5 improves on the FS in every way. The bass is deeper, the mids are more neutral and the highs are more extended. ;-)
But what makes the LS so much better than the FS is its fine detail retrieval, its huge dynamic range and the leading edge dynamics it produces. These three things add up to make the LS's music very "real" sounding. Music sounds much more exigent, more emotional, more captivating with the LS. It's really extraordinary. It's as quiet as the FS but because it can reach into the music and pull out the faintest details it isn't just quiet, it's got depth and space in that silence - basically you hear the venue come through with its
contribution.
The LS's soundstage is just as big and wide as the FS but with the LS's fine detail its soundstage is far deeper. Not only is it far deeper between the speakers but it has depth and air out to the edges of the SS. The stuff out at the edges of the SS have almost as much detail as the stuff in the center image. The FS has a wide SS but its fringes are more ambient than important, if you know what I mean.
The LS really brings extraordinary clarity to vocals too. This is the characteristic that makes it world class - the emotion in vocals with it are just amazing. It makes me uncomfortable at times. Seriously. :-)

Before I tried the LS+ I was considering new speakers or switching to all vinyl or starting over with SET or something just to get that "realness" I was looking for. I am really glad I didn't have to go through all that. The LS+ has completely changed the way my system sounds. I didn't think this was possible but I guess it is and I am very glad it is.

I haven't swapped much these last two months. I did some swapping when I first got the LS though - I had the FS and the SWLP and then tried a BAT 52se. The 52se came close to the LS but the LS had more air and attack in the mids and highs.

I haven't heard the higher end First Sound preamps like the Paramount. I imagine those might get closer to the LS. Plus then the prices would be more in line too. I would like to try an ARC Ref 3 in my system to compare but I haven't been able to get one here. I suspect they would be pretty close.

colopilot February 22, 2008 16:49

System edited: Swapped out the Modwright SWLP for the Modwright LS 36.5 with the new outboard power supply the PS36.5. I didn't know a preamp could make so great a difference.

colopilot December 30, 2007 18:59

No TT yet but I will be auditioning a Galibier Gavia and the Serac as soon as the Serac is finished.

So I can't say anything about the phono section of the SWLP right now.

As for the SWLP linestage vs the SWL's, there is a very great difference. MY SWLP has been upgraded with Modwright's new caps and the new Tubed PSU. The SWLP has more sweetness, more extension in the highs and more warmth in the vocals and mids when compared to the SWL. The SS is deeper and everything within it is solid and well defined. I was not expecting such a big improvement so I am extra happy with it.

I did listen to the SWLP and a VPI TT at the RMAF last fall and it impressed both me and my friend the vinyl freak with its quiet background and detail. But I upgraded as much for the external tubed PSU and new caps then for the phono stage. I knew I would like a TT at some point but I have not been in any hurry. Plus, with the Modwright Sony player AND the SWLP I am happy with most CDs - and SACDs are just amazing.

colopilot April 17, 2007 20:06

System edited: Upgraded the Modwright SWL 9.0SE to the SWLP 9.0SE. Huge improvement in sound quality.

colopilot February 19, 2007 00:20

System edited: Added new CDP, new amp, new pre and new wires. It's been a busy Fall.

colopilot December 30, 2006 01:15

System edited: Added the Andra IIs.

colopilot May 25, 2006 21:31