ModWright Instruments KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Connectivity
88/100
Value for Money
85/100
The KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated marries tube-like midrange sweetness to solid-state grip, delivering tremendous bass authority, vivid transparency and a broad, enveloping stage. Edgar Kramer admired its confident dynamics and tonal richness, while Audiophilepure found its imaging strikingly three-dimensional. With 225W per channel and optional MM/MC phono, it is a seriously musical high-end hub.
Pros
Combines open, sweet, full-bodied tube character with controlled solid-state bass and drive.
Delivers powerful, stress-free large-scale dynamics and exceptionally deep bass on demanding material.
Creates a wide, deep and highly dimensional soundstage with convincing image placement.
Offers flexible analogue connectivity, home-theater bypass, pre-outs and an optional MM/MC phono stage.
Cons
Its most vivid transparency and spatial realism are most readily achieved with strong-quality recordings.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers describe a highly involving hybrid presentation that combines valve sweetness and openness with the authority and control of a powerful solid-state output stage. It is praised for vivid transparency, forceful dynamics, expansive orchestral scale, and a notably deep, dimensional image.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
Kramer hears an open presentation with an intrinsic sweetness that remains kind to mediocre recordings rather than sounding sterile. Audiophilepure calls the sound vivid in its transparency and three-dimensionality, pointing to strong clarity without sacrificing ease.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The KWH 225i is repeatedly portrayed as musical, combining tube-like sweetness with solid-state drive. Kramer particularly values its freedom from the cold, sterile character he associates with some solid-state designs, while Audiophilepure found it able to balance a reluctant Bowers & Wilkins 802 midrange convincingly.
Dynamics
95/100
Large-scale orchestral music is reported to have wide dynamic expression, with brutal high-to-low transitions and no sign of stress when levels rise. Audiophilepure similarly describes the amplifier as electrifying in immediacy and atmosphere, while Kramer found bass depth and power tremendous on demanding film material.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Kramer reports large, enveloping orchestral soundfields with clear sectional placement, convincing depth, and a wide, tall perspective. Audiophilepure found some recordings so real and deep that the stage felt walk-in dimensional.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The available build commentary describes the amplifier as very solidly made, with an understated aesthetic rather than overt luxury styling. Kramer also notes that the remote is a substantial, simple block of solid aluminium.
Features Connectivity
88/100
Connectivity includes three RCA line inputs, one balanced XLR input, home-theater bypass, RCA pre-outs, and two pairs of speaker terminals, with a full-function remote. A user-installable MM/MC phono module is available for vinyl users, although there are no onboard digital, streaming, or headphone facilities.
Value for Money
85/100
At $9,750, the KWH 225i sits in a serious high-end integrated-amplifier segment. Kramer calls it an accomplished all-rounder for a wide range of music lovers and a resounding success, but the reviews do not directly compare its price or value with competing amplifiers.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Gain
- 30dB
- Frequency Response
- 20Hz-100Khz (+/-0dB)
- Input Impedance
- 20K
- Input Sensitivity
- 2V rms
- Max input level
- 6 Vrms (18V pk-pk)
- Inputs
- (3) pairs of RCA inputs (1) pair of XLR inputs (1) pair of Home Theater Bypass Input
- Outputs
- (1) pair RCA Preamp-ouputs (2) pairs 5-way binding posts
- Front panel controls
- Input select, power, volume and HTBP
- Tubes
- (2)6922/6dj8/7308
- Operation
- Class A/B Operation First 25W in Class A Zero Global Negative Feedback
- Dimensions
- 17.75W x 17.5D x 6.5H
- Weight
- Product Weight: 64 lbs Shipped Weight: 70 lbs
- Remote Functions
- Power, volume, mute, input select, dim/turn off displays
- Optional SS Phono Stage
- User Installable (1) set RCA inputs Phono Gain: 50dB MM & High Output MC Loading: 50-100-500-1K-47K-100pf
Manufacturer's Description — ModWright Instruments
KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated
The KWH 225i represents the culmination of years of SS and tube preamp and amplifier design. Our preferred approach has always been that of a hybrid system. The KWI 200 SS integrated amp was a big success for us, offering excellent performance and integration. The KWH 225i takes things to the next level. We combined the solid state output stage of our Reference KWA 150SE amp with the controls and integration of the KWI 200 and a tube preamp stage. We then increased the power to 225W. The result is the KWH 225i. We think you'll like it!
KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated. American Craftsmanship. Timeless in every way.
Proudly hand crafted in the U.S.A.
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Authorized dealers for ModWright Instruments KWH 225i Hybrid Integrated
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Altitudo Audio — online and in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
- Audio Extreme — in-store — Kowloon, China (website)
- Dr Vinyl — in-store — Middle River, Maryland, United States (website)
- Elite Audio UK — online and in-store — Pittenweem, Escocia, United Kingdom (website)
- fern roby — online and in-store — Richmond, Virginia, United States (website)
- Hearken Audio — online and in-store — Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (website)
- HIFI SOLUTION — in-store — Chandon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (website)
and 11 more verified dealers
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