ModWright LS-300 Reference Tube Linestage Preamplifier

ModWright's statement linestage tube preamplifier. If you want a new one, they are only made to order. $10,000 retail. True Balanced, zero NFB, outboard dual-mono power supply. This linestage is designed around 6922 family signal tubes, with dual tube rectifiers. This is ideal for avoiding the problem of too much total gain in your system, as it delivers just 11db of gain. The LS300 is unusually-objective-sounding in the realm of vacuum tube preamps, but delivers the soundstage dimensioning, tone density and nuance available from well-engineered tube preamps. This LS300 has an owner-specified factory upgrade: Instead of a volume potentiometer it was originally-equipped with a Goldpoint 42 position stepped attenuator -- by itself a clearly audible improvement over the LS300s reviewers had to evaluate. This was coupled with a Bent Audio Motorized Remote Control Motor Module to preserve the remote volume function in the motorized pot model. The custom attenuator with remote motor cost an additional $500 at purchase. I am selling this for a friend. 
 
The preamp will be shipped with nearly new tubes with plenty of life: 1 pr. of JJ 6922; 1 pair of near-NOS vintage RCA coke bottle 5ar4 rectifiers. The rectifiers are great. The JJ's are new production tubes. If you want to really make this sing, pony up for a pair of vintage NOS CCa tubes from Siemens, Telefunken or Valvo. They won't be cheap but they last and sound sensational. 

This LS300 is only 17 months old and was used lightly by an owner with multiple preamps in use. It is a one-owner item The remote control supports volume, phase and mute functions.
 
The preamp and outboard power supply will ship in two separate factory-packing cartons with combined shipping weight a little over 50 lbs., so shipping will be quoted upon sale. I am also listing the companion ModWright PH-150 top-range phono preamp here. Condition is excellent but I listed it as Very Good because frankly these ModWright items have no polished surfaces at all, so they come with some tiny irregularities in finish from which it can be hard to distinguish what the owner contributed. The outboard power supply is connected to the linestage by two 4' umbilicals, included. OBM.

From ModWright:
"...Tube Preamplifier

• Outboard power supply
• Dual mono configuration
• Fully balanced, dual differential design
• (2) 6922 tube drivers and (2) 5R4GY tube rectifiers

Styled like the PH 150 and KWA 150SE, the LS 300 represents elegant and refined aesthetics and sonics. Multiple sets of fully balanced XLR inputs and outputs as well as RCA inputs and main outs, allow maximum flexibility for any high end system. All RCA inputs are converted to fully balanced signal via high quality Lundahl signal transformers.

The dual mono design of the LS 300, combined with its extremely low noise floor, provide exceptional soundstage and separation. The use of an external power supply and fully separately regulated power supplies per channel are keys to this achievement.

The LS 300 uses (2) 6922 tube drivers and (2) 5R4GY tube rectifiers, to provide a tonal balance that is both bold and refined, dynamic and musical. The design goal for the LS 300 was to provide the beauty of tubes, whilst maintaining a neutral sonic signature. The 3-dimensionality of tubes is celebrated, along with controlled bass and refined highs.

The back panel features (3) sets of RCA inputs and (2) sets of fully balanced XLR inputs. Main outputs include two sets of RCA single ended outs and two sets of fully balanced XLR outs. One set of RCA inputs also serves as Home Theater Bypass (HT/BP).

FEATURES:

• Two sets of fully balanced XLR inputs.
• Three sets of single ended RCA inputs.
• One of the three sets of RCA inputs also serves as Home Theater Bypass.
• Two sets of fully balanced main outs.
• Two sets of single ended main outs.
• Front panel controls: Input select, power, mute, Home Theater Bypass (HT/BP) and Phase.
• Remote control functions include: Volume, mute, power and phase invert.
• Tube Complement: (2)6dj8 (6922/7308) drivers and (2) 5R4GY (may use 5AR4/GZ34/5U4GB/5V4GB/274B and
• equivalent) rectifiers.
• Pure Class A, fully balanced in to out, zero negative feedback.

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Input Impedance: 20K
• Output Impedance: 100 ohm
• Gain: 11dB
• Noise: -115dB
• Frequency Response: 20Hz – 100Khz (-1dB at 100Khz).
• Distortion: < .03% THD @ 1Khz.
• Dimensions: Preamp = 17“W x 8“H x 12.5“D (Height depends on rectifier tube)
• Dimensions: External Supply = 8“W x 4.5“H x 10“D.
• Weight: Preamp = 30 lbs. External Supply = 17 lbs.
• Umbilicals: (2) 4 ft. umbilicals with 8-pin Switchcraft connectors.

LS300 Tube Pre-Amplifier. Heirloom Quality Tube Equipment. Timeless in every way.

Proudly hand crafted in the U.S.A.