Dodd preamp vs. McCormack RLD-1 preamp

You might want to read the Dodd review on 10audio.com. It is pretty accurate IMO.
One interesting point is that the 6922s are dual triodes, and the Dodd only uses one side of each tube, so you can swap them after normal tube life and double life of each tube. If you use expensive NOS tubes, this savings might be significant. Cheers,
Spencer

You guys need to spend more time in used record stores. ;-)

Guys, yes the Amperex BugleBoy has a cartooned bugle-playing character etched on the glass (orange colored). Try reading "Joe's tube lore" on audioasylum to get good info on the many 6922/6dj8s etc.

FWIW, I agree the BugleBoys are nice but a tad warm, but not as warm as Mullards. The Siemens, as well as Telefunkens are more on the transparent, cool, side.

Some preamps will highlight these differences more than others. For example, my CAT pre sounded dramatically difference w/each tube change. Cheers,
Spencer

Pubul,

I think there are only a handful of us using Dodd & Merlins, and don't really think there is any magic here. Both pieces tend to be very transparent and when any good transparent gear is used together, it tends to be synergistic. The trouble in many systems is that by constantly trying to offset flaws in one piece with opposite flaws in another, many get away from a long term truer solution; a transparent system. IMO the closer you get to SOTA, the more transparent the gear is, and that's part of why diminishing returns set in at the very top $$$ end of the spectrum. Cheers,
Spencer
PS: If new fees continue, see you on Audioasylum.