The ModWright Analog Bridge is meant to sit in between hifi components, like between a preamp and amp, to endow your system with “the sonic strengths of tubes…without adding noise or distortion.”
The Analog Bridge can also sit between your source and preamp/integrated amp, or if your source has a volume control, between it and your amp.
Actually, due it numerous inputs and outputs, you can insert the Analog Bridge into two systems. The review unit came with the fully balanced XLR option that adds a rear-mounted toggle switch to select between the single-ended or balanced inputs/outputs and a quad of Lundahl transformers inside. As Dan Wright of ModWright explained, the “Wright way”.
The font panel houses Power, Mute, Input, and Tube Select toggle switches, that last one allowing you to choose between the top-mounted 6922’s or 6SN7s to taste. If the XLR option is selected around back, it overrides the front Input switch, rendering it moot. The Bridge adds 0dB of gain and offers a low, < 20 Ohm output impedance.
The Analog Bridge is tube rectified and comes with a Sovtek 5AR4. A pair of JJ 6SN7s and JJ E88CCs are also in the box. A tube swapper’s delight.
From the manual:
“The Analog Bridge brings the body, three-dimensional soundstage and tonality of tubes to any system.”
In the land of hifi, I imagine the Analog Bridge is already making waves where ‘purists’ on the fringes of either side of this X v Y debate view everything and anything that doesn’t fit into their unreasonably restrictive boxes of acceptable gear as evil. I plan to listen to my system with and without the Analog Bridge and report on my findings. Stay tuned!
ModWright Analog Bridge
Price: $2900 | +$1000 for the Balanced Option
Company Website: ModWright Instruments
Technical Specifications
Gain: Unity (0dB)
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 150kHz (-1dB)
Distortion: < .005% THD
Output Impedance: < 20 Ohms
Input Impedance: 100k
Standard Unit Weight: 17 lbs.
Balanced Unit Weight Weight: 18 lbs.
Dimensions (W x D x H): 10.5″ x 14.5″ x 3.75″ (not counting height of tubes)