Ok, i have just bought a Bryston 4b sst after getting a good deal at my dealer. I had started a thread earlier this week and i was told to get my amp first. So thats what i did. So now im looking for a great preamp to match up My 4b sst. I was suggest a simaudio p5.3. Any other suggestions?
If you don't need a phone stage, the Dodd Battery pre, and $2,500 new is a wonderful preamp, and especially well suited to SS amps due to its low output impedance for a tube preamp. Being battery powered it is extremely quiet, almost like a passive. Worth exploring.
To answer your question Kurt im looking at 4000 cdn and state or tube will do. Im looking for a good combo. And i dont need phono. And remote control would be a big plus for me.
I appreciate your feed back Tvad, i did hear that bryston's preamp made the bryston a bit to bright thus the reason why i was offered to try simaudio p5.3 . I can tell you know alot about audio. I honestly have been only getting more into this over the last 2yrs thus when it comes to technical terms i get a bit lost sorry. I just know what sounds great and i do have quite a good ear when it comes to music. I am learning as i go. Thanks for your patience Tvad.
Well just put an offer on the Lamm LL2 Deluxe. Upgrades consist of mundorf silver/gold caps, V-caps TFTF/OIMP, Hi-fi tuning fuse, mullards NOS 1950's black sable ECC82/12au7's, E88CC/6922 and mullards NOS 6x4 tube. over $2K in upgrades. Waiting on reply
I agree with Tvad's list of good preamps. For your budget I would absolutely include relatively inexpensive Joule-Electra MkII - most important, it has remote (kidding, it has remote but its not the most important). Increadible "right", natural, truthfull to real music unit. It has received Golden Ear Award from Harry Pearson of TAS last year and for goooood reason. Plus, one of the most reliable audio equipment there is (e.g.tube life time is more then 5 years !)
Call Joule-Electra may be they have some demo or "B" stock (with their finish, their "B" stock is equal to triple A of somebody else) or they will refer you to some really good dealer - if there is such thing ;--) All The Best Rafael
Parasounf JC 2, and tun them balanced. If yourt source is not balanced, time to upgrade. Raysonic 168, 228, 238 are balanced designs. My 168 is now for sale, as I replaced it with the 228. Have a max budget for CD of <$2,000, I'm your man. FYI, the variable tube output stage is so good, I sold a %3K preamp
A Premium modded Counterpoint is a great match with Bryston amps in case you come across a deal on older one....options are a good thing as usual here....
I'm currently using an Audio Horizons TP 2.0n (earlier version of the 2.1n)with a 4BSSTc series using balanced interconnects and it is a stellar combination.Coherent over the entire spectrum and between musical passages it is the blackest of black.Audio Research pre amps also complement Bryston.
The BAT VK42se is a fantastic match as well and I have seen a couple within your budget.The performance vs. the BP-25 ( I haven't tried a BP-26) favored the BAT.
I have owned some of the tube pres mentioned here (Lamm and Joule) and I would still recommend the Dodd preamp which is less expensive than the other two to boot. To Tvad's point, the output impedance of the Dodd is very low for a tube preamp - 200 ohms I think and will drive the amp very easily in terms of impedance matching.
The Dodd preamp looks very interesting, im looking on audiogon if i can find one in maple right now. At the right price i might purchase that one. The red wine isabella seems very nice too but cant seem to find a really mint used one. Thanks for all your comments guys im researching all the pre's mentioned and trying to make a good choice here.
I will doubt finding used RWA Isabella .....at least in a very near future. Dodd seldom shows up for sell and when it does, it sells in few days max. But, even for its asking price - it's well worth it. I owned both ( still have the RWA ) and can asure you that you won't be sorry.
>>there are 3 audio dodds for sale on audiogon right now<< Wow.......................it is your call as always.
One thing about Dodd preamp that you should know. It is not what I would call warmish sounding preamp. At least not with the stock tubes (JJs). Swapping JJs for Mullard CV2493's will give you that beautiful midrange with extra texture and well balanced high as well as low frequencies.
Isabella on the other hand is a bit warmer, define from the get go. It is non-fatiguing, layered/textured with sound characteristics that reminds me of the analog qualities which I learned to love and enjoy.
Johnnie Walker (my favorite scotch) Black and Blue is how I would describe the Dodd and Isabella preamps. Dodd, being more like the Black Label and Isabella with all the flavor and refinement that Blue Label posses.
However I can't stress enough how beneficial and rewarding the addition of RWA Isabellina DAC option truly is. It makes the digital listenable...........no, I won't describe the sound characteristics with useless adjective. It simply let you enjoy the music and hypnotize at times.
The best money I spend on digital and preamplification ever.
That is true..........and I do not want to suggest that you spend substantially more then the budget that you feel comfortable with. Dodd is very, very competitive at its price..........that is without exaduration. Now, in my personal opinion - it kills most out there. Isabella might be exception ............... but personal preferences and system synergy plays the big part in choosing the right preamp. I prefer more lush, rich, texture sound with huge soundstage, infinite layering and air. Dodd is very neutral. Great design. Extremely quiet. Easy to roll tubes to fit your taste. ..................and it is an awesome value (keeps value as well if you decide to try something else and sell it), no doubt about it.
$1795.00 for a battery Dodd pre on here now. That's the lowest price I've seen for one of these. It is a very neutral pre, but having said that I did replace one of my copper interconnects with a silver and still using the stock jjs. System synergy is everything
Dodd keeps value...........besides $500 difference and savings on (now not necessary) quality power cord could be used to improve other areas of the system......like acoustics or source.
Warranty is important but as far as I know G.Dood supports his products a 100% and is very helpful if needed.
Prices during the past year have continued to drop from the primary Dodd dealer.
G.Dodd regulates the prices as he sees fit. Since the direct sells were chosen over the dealer's network, price was adjusted to pass on the savings to the customers. $1795 is the lowest I have seen it sell for. For instance, I sold my Dodd for around $1950 few months back. It was gone in few days but it was very mint piece - few months old. If you can get it for $1650 - power to you but it is an awesome pre regardless of price IMHO.
I agree that the market isn't what it used to be. It is the buyer's market now and the best time to score on some really nice deals which were unheard of few months back (if you are in that position).
Ok well now im in a pickle, just talked to a dealer in Toronto canada and he will match the americain price for the red wine isabella. The dodd audio wud now cost me about 500 less then the isabella once you take in the exchange of our money into americain dollars. Isabella is starting to get really interesting.
500 isn't that much, given the full waranty, local dealer support and trade in option towards future upgrades or purchase. Both brands are exceptional and pleasure to deal with. Whatever you end up choosing, it won't disappoint. I guess the decision will have to come down to small differences between these two and customer support. I own(d) both of them and can't say anything bad about'em .....even if I tried.
Can you ask your dealer for audition or take it home for a test drive? It would make sense before pulling out the plastic. It would let you sleep better knowing that you've made the right decision.
Tvat, I haven't seen Dodd or RWA Isabella at 50% off. Also , (I don't know about Dodd) RWA has generous trade-in program. Vinnie might even give you full list price for your older RWA component towards the upgrade to one of his more expensive offerings. I am certainly pleased. YMMV One of the best customer support that I've ever encounter. Just to give you an exemple: when I questioned Isabella's performence and doubt it being better then my own Dodd, he showed up in my house with Isabella in his hand. And no, I am not the next door neighbor. It is at least few hours drive......not many would go to such a lenght to please the customer. I doubt that you are going to get the same service from Joe X buying used. It is your call. Again , nothing wrong buying used but it isn't always the case.
>>Mrstark, I can see I need to be quite specific here.<< So do I.
Your experience on used market simply can not be matched. (ALNBM)
>>Frankly, I have never had a bad experience with any manufacturer regarding service, information, or support on used components.<<
It is not always the case. One of the most reputable speaker manufacturers would not even answer my question and openly stated "no support to second hand owners". YMMV
>> I'll venture a guess that it will sell very close to 50% of the original $3300 retail price<< (please check the Dodd website not the listed prices on AgoN)
Ones again, the retail on Dodd battery preamp is $2699 NEW (directly from Dodd Audio). Please do not tell me how much it was a year ago as the author is shopping for preamp right now.
Now, about Maverick_spd's case. We know that he lives in Canada. We know that RWA has a dealer there and Dodd Audio doesn't. We know about shipping costs, customs & taxes, exchange rates and repair costs if the product isn't under warranty or if warranty isn't transferable.
Do you still believe that used Dodd is a better choice???? I love that preamp but it just seems like Maverick might be better of with new RWA preamp.
Your philosophy is valid but like I said earlier.........."it isn't always the case".
I totally agree with your last statement Mrjstark. And the dodd audio pre at 1795 i sent him 3 emails and finaly got back to me to tell me it was sold. I told him that he should mark it sold if it is and still looks like its sitting there. I also contacted dodd audio dealer and i can get a band new one from him for 2490 tax included. But i still have to figure the exchange which will be way over 3000 plus damn customs and shipping. So by the time its all done and said i may be looking at close to 3500 easily. That is why im leaning towards the isabella at the moment. I phoned the dealer we have hear in canada which is in toronto and he is about 4 hrs away from here so for me to try it out at home before is goin to be a little hard for me. The dealer was very knowledgeable and quite helpful. Now its up to me to make my final decision. I may take a drive up to Toronto or just wait to the CES show in Montreal this comming April. Cheers guys, and thanks for all the imputs, very well appreciated. Im only 35 here and stil have lots to learn.
Maverick If I can be of any help arranging "in home free trial", please let me know. PM
Tvad, sorry for ALNBM puzzle - at least not by myself I haven't talked to G.Dodd in ages. There for, I can't comment on his present policies or offers. Keep in mind that Dodd is basicly run by one man. To be quite honest, I don't think he can afford free 30 days in home trial. But like you said, it doesn't hurt to call Dodd Audio and find out.
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