ModWright LS 100

This is a lovingly, barely used LS 100 tubed line stage. I’m sure if you were to inspect it closely enough, you might find some signs of use, but as you can see from the photos, it is in virtually immaculate condition, physically, mechanically, and electronically. 

This sale includes the LS 100 tubed line stage itself, its power cord, the stock 5AR4 rectifier, the stock pair of RCA 6SN7 drivers, a hex driver to remove and reinstall the cabinet top to allow for tube installation/removal, the owner’s manual, and all its original packaging. 

Design
The design goal of the ModWright LS 100 was to improve upon the 9.0SE preamp in every way, while keeping the price at a reasonable level. They have done it, in spades. Improvements in sonics, aesthetics and functionality are abundant. All while maintaining the ModWright reputation for impeccable build quality.

The LS 100 is a single-ended design with a 10-function remote control, (2) 6SN7 (Driver) tubes and (1) 5AR4/GZ34(and equivalents) rectifier tube. The LS 100 possesses a single gain/buffer stage, phase inverting, five standard inputs, one Monitor input and tape output, one Home Theater Bypass (HT/BP) input and three main sets of RCA outs.

Lots of add-ins
There is an upgrade slot for an optional in-board DAC or phono stage, a built-in headphone amplifier that is fed via the tube driver stage.

The LS 100 is built in the same size enclosure as the KWA 100 amplifier and has the same lines and aesthetics, including backlit logo. Taller enclosure (5″) allows for a greater range of rectifier tubes to fit inside the enclosure.

Sonically, the LS 100 offers a greater control, ease, musicality and resolution, all perfectly balanced for the ideal musical experience. Frequency response is flat from 20Hz to well beyond 100Khz. Soundstage is extremely wide and detailed, and microdynamics co-exist with a tube warmth and natural musical presentation that must be heard to be believed!

Remote Control Functions Include:
•    Power.
•    Two remote trigger outputs.
•    Selectable balance control, may be bypassed for cleaner signal path.
•    Volume control.
•    Mute.
•    Input select.
•    Monitor input select.

Preamp Functions Include:
•    Upgrade slot for Optional in-board DAC OR Phono stage – NOT both.
•    Internal Class A discrete headphone amp design fed via tube driver stage.
•    Home Theater Bypass.
•    All pushbutton control – no toggle switches.

Output Tubes: 2 x 6SN7
Rectifier Tube: 5AR4/GZ34

Design Specifications of the LS 100:
•    Class A, ‘mu’* mu stage variation, for excellent linearity, low distortion and sweet midrange and bloom of tubes without compromise.
•    Zero global Negative feedback.
•    Direct-coupled input and single MWI custom coupling capacitor in output for the cleanest signal path.
•    Low 300-ohm output impedance, allowing for excellent matching with tube and SS amps.
•    Star grounding and power supply layout optimized for lowest possible noise floor.
•    Pure copper PCB traces, offering the lowest possible impedance.
•    Extremely short signal paths and highest quality MWI capacitors and audio grade signal path components for sonic purity.
•    Class A, discrete SS Unity Gain headphone impedance matching circuit, allowing tube stage to drive headphones (32 ohm – 600ohm) from any source.

Technical Specifications.
•    Input Impedance: 39K
•    Output Impedance: 300 ohms
•    Linestage Gain: 13dB (Total gain with Phono = 66dB)
•    RCA Line Inputs: 5 pairs
•    XLR Line Inputs: 1 pair (wired single-ended)
•    RCA Main Outs: 2 pairs
•    XLR Main Outs: 1 pair (wired single-ended)
•    One pair RCA, Tape Out, Monitor Input
•    Two 12V remote trigger outputs.