I finally tracked down a brass faced Dolan PM-1 and bought it based on little more than the above review. I had been looking for a while at many preamps both SS and tube and decided on the Dolan based on the praise afforded to its phono section and its affordable price on the used market. My goal in putting together my system was to get the highest level of performance possible within my modest budget. It wasn’t until I added the Dolan this goal was realized in spades. Everything I read in the review above was on the money!!
This unit truly does play with a certain verve not often heard. Its quiet black background and high-level detail across the frequency spectrum, pin point staging and transparency and imaging leaves me wanting for nothing. The phono stage lives up to its hype also. This is the best phono stage my ears have heard.
The above reviewer’s comments about the CD stage were almost an understatement. I have a inexpensive Sony SACD/DVD player. Plugged into the Dolan I would swear I was using a much more expensive CDP and or a nice DAC. I have always been of the belief that a system only sounds as good as its weakest link. The Dolan has made me rethink that a little. My Sony has no right to sound as good as it does when used with the Dolan. Nothing short of magic and pure genius on Mr. Dolan’s part. I was planning a CDP upgrade but now it doesn’t seem so important.
In the review above it was mentioned that the Dolan PM-1 does not have a IEC power cord socket. Mine however did. I contacted Mr Dolan and asked if it was added later and he confirmed that some units did ship with IEC and that mine was likely one of them, an added bonus. Something else a bit different I noticed was the white calk between the larger capacitors. I assume this was added to reduce resonance. If I were more of a wordsmith can certainly go on about the sonic virtues of the Dolan. I can say this much having lived with it for a little more than 1 month I can’t imagine finding a better preamp with phono in its price range.
If I had one wish in regards to this preamp, it would be to see this unit go back into production so many others can experience the masterful sonic picture it paints.
Pictures of my Dolan and related gear can be found at: http://brightsellers.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=9
My system is as follows:
Dolan PM-1
Adcom GFA-555
VPI HW 19 turntable with AudioQuest PT-6 arm & Grado cart
Pioneer TX-9800 tuner
Sony SACD/DVD
M&K Satellite 1’s and Paradigm SB-80 sub
This unit truly does play with a certain verve not often heard. Its quiet black background and high-level detail across the frequency spectrum, pin point staging and transparency and imaging leaves me wanting for nothing. The phono stage lives up to its hype also. This is the best phono stage my ears have heard.
The above reviewer’s comments about the CD stage were almost an understatement. I have a inexpensive Sony SACD/DVD player. Plugged into the Dolan I would swear I was using a much more expensive CDP and or a nice DAC. I have always been of the belief that a system only sounds as good as its weakest link. The Dolan has made me rethink that a little. My Sony has no right to sound as good as it does when used with the Dolan. Nothing short of magic and pure genius on Mr. Dolan’s part. I was planning a CDP upgrade but now it doesn’t seem so important.
In the review above it was mentioned that the Dolan PM-1 does not have a IEC power cord socket. Mine however did. I contacted Mr Dolan and asked if it was added later and he confirmed that some units did ship with IEC and that mine was likely one of them, an added bonus. Something else a bit different I noticed was the white calk between the larger capacitors. I assume this was added to reduce resonance. If I were more of a wordsmith can certainly go on about the sonic virtues of the Dolan. I can say this much having lived with it for a little more than 1 month I can’t imagine finding a better preamp with phono in its price range.
If I had one wish in regards to this preamp, it would be to see this unit go back into production so many others can experience the masterful sonic picture it paints.
Pictures of my Dolan and related gear can be found at: http://brightsellers.com/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=9
My system is as follows:
Dolan PM-1
Adcom GFA-555
VPI HW 19 turntable with AudioQuest PT-6 arm & Grado cart
Pioneer TX-9800 tuner
Sony SACD/DVD
M&K Satellite 1’s and Paradigm SB-80 sub