Dodson Audio - Still in Business?

thanks Phil- that was a good read- glad I stuck with my Audiologic. However, I recently picked up another digital rig, the small but very organic sounding 47 Labs Flatfish- excellent in my 'b' 2-watt 45-based all tube system...

Sutts,

I've heard the Dodson DA-218 and the Audio Logic 24MXL in my system during a DAC shootout I hosted a little over 2 years ago. Not the best acoustic environment at the time (I've since moved an have a much better listening room), but still good enough to hear differences. Here's a link to some pictures and discussion about the shootout:

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?topic=12876.0

Which Dodson are you referring to? On AA a few years back, there discussions about the '217 and Altis Ref(sampling rates etc). Search the archives.

anyone heard Dodson AND Audio Logic dacs in the same system? I have the Audio Logic 24MXL, but have never heard the Dodson product.

I hope it comes back. I own one and love it

Ehoehn,

The DAC-263 has actually been "shelved" for a while. Dodson felt strongly about keeping it at the pricepoint, but price increases from some suppliers made this tough...

Looks like the DAC-263 is not a part of their plans for the future

That's great news--thanks for the info. I was hoping that they'd be up and running again soon, and it looks like they are or very soon will be. Most excellent!

Well, that is news. Thank you for following through. I must say, I was hoping to hear about a USB DAC or some other new product from Dodson.

Here is the news: Dodson Audio is being acquired by Silversmith Audio! Ralph Dodson and Jeff Smith have been longtime friends and colleagues, each being a prominent member of the others' "listening team". After much discussion, both reached the conclusion that this was a win-win deal; Dodson Audio will gain the benefit of Jeff Smith's energy and business operations savvy, and Ralph will continue to focus on product design.

Here is the official press release:

http://www.sonicspirits.com/Dodson.pdf

FYI - the news is still forthcoming, but the press release has not been completed yet...I'll post it as soon as I get it...

Thank you.

Pardales, there will be a press release. Don't know who exactly will publish it, but I'll post the info here...

Come Monday, where would one find this news?

"FYI - there will be some news regarding Dodson Audio on Monday...I think it will be regarded as good news. Stay tuned..."
-Philnyc

Thanks Phil!

I was starting to get just a wee bit...anxious.

FYI - there will be some news regarding Dodson Audio on Monday...I think it will be regarded as good news. Stay tuned...

I agree. I own the DAC-263 and all of my interactions with Mr. Dodson have been wonderful. I wish him and his family well

This the only problem with dealing with a company that's a basically a "One-man show". When Howard Mandel died, Altis Audio went up in smoke. Fortunately, Jerry Ozment does upgrades and I'm glad no one bought the dac when it was put up for sale.

Definitely some of the best DAC's around. My best to Mr. Dodson as well.

Philnyc:

In my opinion, your having taken the time to post on this thread speaks volumes about your commitment to your customers. Providing information counts as serving them (in my book), and your efforts are to be commended. You must be a GREAT dealer.

It sounds like we're on the same page (along with the rest of the posters to this thread) with respect to Mr. Dodson--wishing him and his family well.

>>A little frustrating perhaps, but COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE, and APPROPRIATE from a broader life perspective. >>

Absolutely. Ralph is a great guy and I wish him and his family well during this difficult time. My frustration only comes from wanting to serve my customers... :-D

I have owned a Dodson DAC in various iterations over the last 6 years and now have a 218. I have had occassion to speak with Mr. Dodson several times over that period regarding upgrades, IC's and other issues. In addition to designing and making a superior product, he is one of the finest and most responsive gentlemen I have encountered in more than 35 years of audiophilia. I would take him at his word, and wish him the best.

Neal

In the Fall of 2002, I bought a mint Dodson DA-217 MkII-D, here on AudiogoN, to use with a Denon DCD-1650AR CD player. Since the player only had a single RCA digital output, I used a 1.5-meter Harmonic Technology Magic Digital One cable with RCA terminations. This was a big improvement on the CD player alone. In the Fall of 2004, I sent the DAC back to Ralph to install the 218 software upgrade, an AES/EBU input, and isolation transformers on the RCA and AES/EBU inputs. To keep the upgraded DAC company, I sold the Denon CD player and the RCA digital cable, and bought (again here on AudiogoN) an Audio Research CD3 MkII and a 1.0-meter length of the same digital cable, with XLR terminations.

Now, with my Rowland 201's and my Thiel 3.6's, I'm a "happy camper", and I'm grateful that I had the DAC upgrade performed when I did.

Thanks, Ralph! We wish you a speedy and satisfactory resolution of the "family issue", and we hope that you can continue supplying your splendid DAC to an appreciative audio community.

"Was told the same thing as mentioned above...that a family issue had forced him to put things on hold until the beginning of May. A little frustrating to say the least..."

This would tend to corrborate the story even further: now we're 3 for 3. A little frustrating perhaps, but COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE, and APPROPRIATE from a broader life perspective. As Fatman points out:

"Family is definitely more important....."

I agree with that and support Mr. Dodson--and his decision--fully. I would hope and expect that others would as well.

FWIW, if you go to the Dodson website, it says "Dodson Audio is Moving - Website under construction". It did not say this yesterday...

I'm a Dodson dealer and spoke with Ralph about a month ago. Was told the same thing as mentioned above...that a family issue had forced him to put things on hold until the beginning of May. A little frustrating to say the least, because there seems to be some newly-generated interest in the DA-218 (an unusual number of inquiries as well as potential orders in the last 2-3 months).

I checked with a Dodson dealer who had been told the same thing that I was told.

check with jeffs sound values, some of the guys used to work together at a stereo shop a while back..

Mdhoover
Thanks for the info, I have the same dac and will try and contact them later for the upgrade. Family is definitely more important than my upgrade. The 217 MkII D even without the 218 software upgrade is the best that I have ever heard. Once again thanks for the info

I also called (858)484-8199 and confirmed their phone number was disconnected. Please call the San Diego Better Business Bureau and ask them if they know what happened to Dodson Audio. If the BBB cannot help you, please call a San Diego Audio Store and see if they can provide any additional info.

I own a Dodson 217 Mark II D DAC myself. In a phone conversation, Mr. Dodson told me that a family situation has arisen, which needs to be taken care of. He said that he's putting things on "hold" until the end of April or early May, this year.