My first Tube Amplifier

My first tube amps were a set of Dodd 120 monoblocks. I read a story in the Dallas Morning News about a local tube equipment designer that just started his company named Dodd Audio. I contacted Gary and before I knew it, I was listening to his new Dodd 120 monoblocks in his listening room at his house in Garland, Texas. He was using his quad 6SN7 based reference preamp and a pair of GR Research line array speakers. The sound was very impressive top to bottom. He sealed the deal when he played track 6 from Roger Waters Amused to Death CD, which I had never heard before. This is the famous water drop track. I was sitting about nine feet back from the speakers. I closed my eyes to listen to the sound-stage and the most unbelievable thing happened. A water drop appeared in the soundscape…directly to my left, next to the wall, about ear height. Yes, audio fans, we are talking about a 180-degree sound-stage. I found out later that this CD was recorded in Q surround sound.  The things I liked about Gary’s amps were that they had that organic tube magic but they were quick, had a refined clean sound, and the sound had weight but was not syrupy. I wrote him a check on the spot. Later on, I bought his reference preamp and then I bought his battery powered tube preamp. I eventually sold the reference preamp but the monoblocks and battery preamp are in my main system right now.  I also have a pair of ASL DT200 hurricanes. I have a small listening room now (16’ x 11’ x 10’) and my speakers are Kef LS50s. The difference in refinement is obvious between the Dodds and the Hurricanes. However, the Hurricanes have added authority that makes them very special in larger rooms but that’s another story.