What qualities are you looking for???
And maybe some info on the rest of your gear, speakers.....room. Do not get me wrong but these two should not be found in the same sentence. There is little that these preamps have in common (keep in mind that I am not familiar with the modded version). It is all about the synergy......choose wisely. |
Dodd is not a SS but tube (6922 X 2). McC, sounds warmish then most SS designs but locks transparency. Dodd excells in speed, articulation and inner detail. As well as black backgrounds due to very low floor noise which is the result of going "Off THE GRID".
Again, I am not familiar with modded version of McC.
I am upgrading to Red Wine Audio Isabella preamp with build in DAC. That preamp might not be in your price range as it sells for 4K linestage and $5500 with Isabellina NOS non upsampling DAC.
In comparison to RWA, Dodd will give you 90-95% of Isabella's performance at 60-70% of its asking price.
Isabellina DAC is a completly different story and one of the reason for me to jump on RWA wagon. One of the best CD reproductions I have heard recently and the best in my system.
Cheers |
You will see mine next week. I did not think that it would ever happend......but......
Upgrading to almost twice as expensive RWA Isabella preamp with build in dac. Both very similar in design and performance. |
Pubule57
Dodd is the perfect tool for tube evaluation. And yes - there is very little coloration and tubes are the main characteristics - sonic wise , if one wanted to describe Dodd's sound. |
It takes some time for those Sonicaps to burn in but you should hear its full potentials in around 50-100h mark.
My impressions with Dodd are somewhat similiar to yours.
Of coarse it is paired with different components, speakers and in totaly different room but your findings are very similar to my own. Either way, keeper or not - it is a very nice preamp I could see myself living with it in my rig for a very long time. As to your taste/preferances, RWA Isabella might or might not be for you. Isabella is more settle, balanced and enggaging but it is not as lively like Dodd is.
I mean it is real as hell but it doesn't has Dodd's forwardness if you will. Then again, we used sweet sounding Mullards. I am sure that stock JJ or more natural Amperex PQs could be more to your taste. |
Well, if this thing is going to get better with break-in, I'm all for it, I love it out of the box, and that with the JJs which most folks don't seem to LOVE - they sound might fine to me, but I am eager for the Amperex to arrive, I'm getting some 58-60 D-Getters which are suppose to be the "sweetest" of the Amperexes. This pre is DYNAMIC. After the first 50h mark, you should hear a graduate but noticeable relaxing in the upper frequencies and more define bass. 100h in, you will never look back. I am sure that you will spend a lot of time with Dodd now that you started to enjoying it,......but hopefully it's not only the passive admiration of the wood work but play time as well.:) As to JJ tubes......to be absolutely honest, I was also pleasantly surprise with their sound and for new stock......not a bad tube.....not at all. What makes it fun ( I mean the tube rolling) is that you can tailor the sound to your taste or music that you feel will benefit from certain sound characteristics that these countless family of 6922/7308 tubes posses. |
Hi Nanotweeter Here are some links to the shoot-out (pics and comments) Pictures from the "Rave"comparison/first impressionsIt is not much but better then nothing. :) It's not easy to recommend one over the other. Price difference, features , sex appeal, sound characteristics and your preferences will mostly dictate the decision making. Sound-stage among the other attributes like beautiful rendition of music performed by Isabella, air, balance and articulation were the reasons for me to rethink my priorities and decide to go with RWA. Dodd is still in my system and while I hate to let it go, just like Pubul57 - can't keep them both. Listening to Dodd in the last few days were just as enjoyable as when I first hook it up to my system. In my opinion, it is a hell of a bargain for what it does and it is an easy recommendation since sonically, it's very transparent and somewhat neutral. Isabella on the other hand does image better then Dodd and soundstage is also painted with more masterful brush. Width and depth is wider, deeper and instruments as well as vocal(s) are in the correct scale/size , placement with believable presence. Subtle details, ambiance/ambient and inner character of the performers are simply stunning with Isabella (with DAC). There is a price to pay to get that last refinements and it might be just to much for some. But Dodd will get you there a lot closer then any other preamp that I have heard.....in that price range (but not only). Regards Mariusz |
Yep, Dodd's impedance is quite low for tube design.
Isabella on the other hand (keep in mind that Dodd and Isabella are very similar if you compare the facts)
output at just under 1K. You might acctualy have a better luck matching Dodd with whatever your heart desires.
One of the features the Dodd is missing and which Isabella includes on back of the unit, is the gain switch(12db+). That will makes it easier to integrade with most systems. While we tried to find out if it had any negative effect on the sound quality, I must honestly say that if there was, I didn't sense any.
Pubul57,
like you said....it is system dependent and matter of taste.
But Dodd in my book is an easy recommendation and very well balanced preamp. Unless you are looking for certain coloration and want to use your preamp as the tunning tool. |
Well, go with your gut feeling but keep your ears open.......you never know what can awaits you just around the corner.
I am glad that some of you found the info on Dodd or Isabella useful since both preamps are very highly recommended and will connect with music like few others in their price range and above......way above.
Just like you, I took a chance with Dodd and was sceptic at first. But I had to find out what the buzz was all about. I am glad I did and I hope that my comments weren't misleading........which would really be a bummer.
Es347
I hope you will enjoy your new preamp, whatever it is that you will end up with. If it puts the smile on your face......that is all that matters.
Cheers
Mariusz |
Not so in my experience......it was more like yea,yea....yes, yea, yea YES, wow, WOW......Breath..:)
I thought that my system is finally stable......, I was so wrong. I found something new...but I think it has more to do with me personally then the gear. I found the system (including new speakers) that lets me relax and forget about the components , synergy, quality, trends etc. Is it the audio Nirvana ? Well....for now it is. But you know how it goes.:)
Cheers
Mariusz |
I am really close in my search for the cure......and in my case it isn't RLD-1 which would be like Advil PM ..........it could get me trough the night for few days but .....It does not cure the bacteria that eats through my pockets.
Somebody call the ambulance!!!! |
Pubul57
Please DO NOT.....just pretend it does not exist.:0
It turned my World upside down.
My beloved speakers will go up for sell.
I do not know what to do with my CD player now. It seems silly to use it as a transport (but I might keep it).
My other gear is all up for sell........and that is only for one reason...............Devil takes no breaks.
Pubul57
My system is getting a complete make-over because of Isabella and I do not recommend it if you want to keep your sanity.
Rethm Saadhana as well as Sig.30.2 amp (along with Isabella will hit my door steps in few short weeks)
Speakers there after.
Es347 was right . We are nuts.....or at least I am. hahahah!!!!!!
Cheers
Mariusz |
I do not see the problem of trying it out. Vinnie is pretty down to Earth kind of a gay and will be happy to loan you his preamp or/and Sig.30.2. There is no restocking fees or any deductibles....just shipping.
But, get to know your Dodd so you can really grasp the differences between these two.
I have audition very nice sounding speakers from CarderSound (single-driver speakers that use Fostex drivers) but I think Rethms Saadhana is a better speaker.
I might try to audition the Lamhorn 1.8 but, it is a long shot and it might prove to be just over my budget.
It would be helpful to have two pairs of the same tubes to evaluate and compare the Dodd to Isabella. I am sure it will be very, very interesting experience. When you do.......let as all know of your thoughts. In the mid-time, enjoy your new Dodd and music.
I should have Isabella by next weekend and will share some more details when it settles in.
Mariusz |
In this case the Dodd might be the "better choice".
Then-
There is no better or worst, just what works best in particular system and depending on individual taste & preferences. |
Yes. Reviewer's commends or even our own impressions should be used as the basic guidelines. That's the way I see it. And even if such a think as neutral, colorless component existed it doesn't guaranty the ultimate in performance. There is always the weak link and compromises must be made. But in my system with the Music Reference amps, the Dodd sounded better to me facing a fairly strong lineup of preamps - it is no doubt a very good preamp worth auditioning, no matter what you are willing to pay for a preamp. Will it be your cup of tea? No substitute for listening. I absolutely agree with your statement and reference to your own judgment as the final and only step to be 100% sure. As to Dodd and its competition. I agree and will also add that it is more flexible then others in regards to tailoring the sound to your taste. A simple tube rolling is not only fun but useful tool in fine tuning the sound to your ear and your system. That is the beauty of tubes and simple but still innovative design of Dodd that makes it special. Those that are sceptical about its value, quality, overall performance, lock of dealers, direct sells and unfortunate inability of auditioning it at home with 30 days money back guaranty (like other do).... hold on to your wallets and buy whatever it is that makes you smile. But believe me, you can do a lot worst and spend a lot more. Mariusz |
Yeap, he went direct for a while now.. I have just noticed the price adj. Cool, but he should still offer the 30 days in home audition with money back to ease the decision making for those interested in his products.
RWA has no questions asked policy. If you do not like it, just ship it back. No restocking fees , non of that nonsense.
And you are right, 99% of Dodd users ends up keeping it.
As far as I know, only a hand full of Dodds were sold on used market. They usualy sell in a day or two though.
Another Dodd user that I know, sold his piece because he chose to go directly from his CDP to his amps.
Mariusz |
The rest of the system please as well as your friend's preferences & tubes used........we all have one and choice of tubes is also important to paint the whole picture.
As to your comparison between the two...in short - yes, RWA is a bit warmer. Slow......? I am not sure what do you mean by it though. (I might have missed your point)
I made my own comparison useing the same components, speakers, wires and tubes in side by side face-off.
Differences between the two are not in fact small and I do agree that it is a matter of taste and component synergy.
Did you had a chance to evaluate the buid-in DAC as well?
Also ,how do you voice your own system, so I can better understand where you stand - preference wise?
Thanks
Mariusz |
Gsherwood53
I am very happy that your search for "Holly Grail" has come to the point where you can enjoy the music ones again.
"Poor Man's Reference".....I am not sure.
Money do help to make dreams come true but it is not the answer for everything.
While auditioning gear costing gazillions and those raved about brands by audiophile magazine writers (reviewers) , I came to conclusion that well advertised products with gift wrap reviews (in most cases) sound like crap.
No, no, no.......I did not say bad, no. Simply speaking the value performance ratio was of.....wayyyyy of.
Milking the naive or stupid.
Finding the real gem is all about the sound and luck.
Luck, becouse gems are not easy to find and those who found them are silent.
Dodd among few others are the few that would qualify as such and it is a shame that it does not get the exposure it deserves.
But what do you expect........
As to your amp choices.
Well Aleph J might be your best bet.
Edge is a fine amp but it just might not give you what you are looking for. Modding Edge ???? Maybe but make sure that the person in charge is You. Be clear as to what do you expect from his mods.
Good luck
Mariusz |
