Video Asylum: REVIEW: ModWright Modwright Philips SACD 1000 DVD Players by geeb

Model:	Modwright Philips SACD 1000
Category:	DVD Players
Suggested Retail Price:	$800+ (mods only)
Description:	Modwright SACD 1000
Manufacturer URL:	ModWright
Manufacturer URL:	ModWright

Review by geeb ( A ) on February 20, 2003 at 15:52:29
IP Address: 205.225.207.94

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for the Modwright Philips SACD 1000

This AA forum is directly responsible for my recent purchase of a Modwright Philips SACD 1000, so it is only fair that I inflict my thoughts upon you high-rez souls. Consumer warning: if you were among those AA Inmates who were lured into the SACD 1000 "blowout" sale, the following review may ignite whatever money remains in your pocket for a full or partial mod. I'm here to help.

Background: I was intrigued by the AA chatter late last year on the SACD 1000 closeout at $400, but by the time I called the nearest dealers in Southern California, the units were long gone. I was told that most were mail-ordered by East Coast piggies (oink!) before the SoCal allotments ever arrived. But I also ran across some AA references to Dan Wright, a Portland modder, who had tweaked the SACD 1000. So I called Dan, and he had a couple of extra units, and he wasn't looking to price-gouge like some people were doing on the Websale sites. (See previous references to swine.) So I took the plunge. Which leads to the following caveats:

1. I was unable to listen to a stock 1000 before I ordered the Modwright version. (Yep, a true leap â€˜o faith, but as the following attests, no regrets. Note: Dan expects customers to provide their own units, so I just lucked out. Also, I neither asked for nor received any favor from Dan in return for this review.)

2. I'm an enthusiast, not an audiophile, and not a tekkie. Upon consultation with Dan, I opted for the "Basic Truth" package, plus Bybees. If you want the mod specs and prices for "Basic" and "Absolute" versions, see http://www.harmonicdiscord.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9303

3. I'm biased in favor of audio entrepreneurs. I think they give you the most bang for the buck (unless you hold real DIY skills). And I like the personal touch and attention to detail that people like Dan, and several others with whom I have dealt, bring to the audio rack.

4. I wasn't ga-ga over SACD. I simply wanted an alternative to my Cal Audio CL-10 changer and a 2-CH unit that could also handle DVD duties for a non-demanding home theater setup (7-year-old Panasonic TV, even older Harmon-Kardon Dolby Pro-Logic receiver) in addition to my main, decent-but-not-spectacular, 2-channel rig (listed below).

The review: Right out of the box, the "basic" Modwright blew my Cal Audio away. Even though it's a changer, the CL-10 has a very musical sound and reasonably good detail. (My unit was personally tuned up by the "Blue Lake boys" of Humboldt County, Calif., before Cal Audio was bought out and gutted.) I ran both players into a Transcendent pre-amp (with identical IC's), which I thought might minimize sonic differences. No way. Even on "ordinary" CDs, the 1000's sound stage was significantly wider, deeper, and -- surprisingly -- taller. Yet it still had rock solid placement of instruments and vocalists. I've listened to the Chieftains' "Long Black Veil" more than 100 times, and the differences with the 1000 were stunning. You can visualize Sting in a cathedral as he sings "Mo Ghile Mear" and Mick Jagger floats like a Gaelic ghost through the title track. (Ambience, I think they call it.) On the next track, I realized that Sinead O'Connor's delicate vocals had suffered from a slight electronic "edge" that had gave her voice a subtle, grating quality. Not anymore. Similar results on other favorite CDS, including Lyle Lovett's live CD, Mary Chapin Carpenter's "Time Sex Love", and Norah Jones' "Come Away With Me." Bad CDs sound even worse, however.

In summary, wonderful bass detail (yes, you really can hear the handslap on the drum), smooth and detailed mids and highs without a hint of harshness. Dan attributes the sound to his tube output. All I know is that I like it.

I also compared an HDCD recording, John Hammonds' "Wicked Grin". Cal CL-10 has an HDCD circuit, but "Grin's" bass sounded muddy compared to the 1000. And when I tried the classical music demo SACD that came with the unit, the 2-CH sound seemed to wrap around my listening room. So I'm starting to understand what the SACD buzz is about.

DVD performance: Given my basic setup, the video is completely satisfactory. I don't know how it would fare on a newer, HD screen. The audio was outstanding on Sting's "All This Time" DVD thru my main, 2-CH rig. (The modded 1000 has two sets of outputs so you can send the signal into two rigs separately or simultaneously.)

Some additional notes: the infamous "clicking" sound discussed at length on this forum. I don't see how this can be a problem unless you keep an ear 12 inches from the unit. The owner's manual explains it as part of normal operation. The case is a bit "tinny" so I did some very simple damping: a strip of rope caulk across the top of the case (on the outside), and inexpensive Herbie's Audio Lab footers underneath made a nice overall improvement, resonance-wise.

The two tubes throw a lot of heat off the case. I gave it a little extra breathing space, but Dan feels this is not of great concern. He was prompt, patient and helpful in responding to all my questions and concerns, both on the phone and via e-mail. For example, at my suggestion, he whipped out a simple, one-page guide to operating the modded unit. It took a while to get delivery of the unit, but that's custom work for you. Instant gratification? Try Best Buy.

Finally, if you have the stock SACD 1000 and you're happy with it, good for you. I can't say how much better my Modwright 1000 is, but I haven't heard any other CD or DVD in the $1,300 to $1,500 range that comes anywhere close to this, even before taking SACD into account. So I have no regrets about seeking the "Basic Truth." And given what I'm hearing, there's only one reason not to go for Dan's "Absolute" upgrade -- I don't want to let go of my "Truth," even for a little while.

Product Weakness: The unit's stock features seem flimsy, but Dan's mods largely take care of this.
Product Strengths: Sound, sound, and sound.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Belles 150A Hot Rod
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Transcendent GG
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Cal CL-10, SACD 1000 modded
Speakers:	Acarian Alon II (first gen)
Cables/Interconnects:	Puresilversound, Harmonic Tech
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	jazz, pop, classical
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Monstercable HT 1000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	The unit's stock features seem flimsy, but Dan's mods largely take care of this.
Product Strengths:	Sound, sound, and sound.