Dodd preamp vs. McCormack RLD-1 preamp

Good one Sbank. Nice chuckle for Saturday morning.

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

The Amperexes are locked in my mail room so no go this weekend. But, I'm getting the sense that the Dodd is on the warm side of neutral, which suprises me a bit as some comments regarding the Isabella speaks to an even smoother, sweeter presentation; for me, that might be too much of a good thing as the Dodd seems just about right to me used with the Music Reference RM9 (might be a different story with other amps) and I noticed the same sonic signature the Dodd is used with the Atma-sphere M60s (which are more neutral and transparent in a very natural way when used with the MP-3). Of course, some people think the Atma-sphere stuff is lean, I think it is very accurate and real sounding.

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.

Very true. And interesting how much audio reviewing focuses on an individual piece of equipment with little focus on system context and combinations. For example if I were reviewing the Atma-sphere M60s with a Dodd versus the Atma pre, I would ascribe very different attributes to the M60s. Makes the good, better, best questions regarding equipment obviously difficult to answer. 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.