RWA amp with DODD preamp both battery powered

Mrjstark, I would be interested in your initial impressions of the Dodd. I also ordered one from Walter and should have it shortly. I will be using mine with a pair of VAC Auricle 70/70 monoblocs that are also in route. I strongly considered the 30.2, but was afraid that it wouldn't mate well with my current speakers. However, I certainly hope to try RWA amps one day.

thanks

In short (after few hours) - I really think that I am done........three preamps bought this year , another one on the loan and I belive this preamp is a keeper. I don't want to say how it sounds.....yet, but I am very, very glad I took that chance. You won't regret it .....neither do I. Finaly.....it is done........I mean the search. I am going to swap the JJs for some nice Ampx 6922 or even better....7308 Amperex PQ USA. The only problem is getting these 7308s at reasonable price. I have called my sources but one has few military versions which I am not sure about and the other went .....nuts. Anyway, it should respond very well to tube rolling. Besides , there is only two to worry about and it would have make sense to invest in the best tubes out there.

If I find some time I will say some more about its sound and overall feel and finish.

P.S
Dodd goes very well with Red Wine..........Audio of course.
Cheers

Mrjstark. I got mine yesterday, but only have a couple of hours of play time as well. Sounds great so far and the build quality is very good. I skipped the stock JJ's and am using a pair of Amperex A-frame (orange label) 6dj8's. I've read that folks seem to like 7308's in this pre, so I'll probably search a pair of those out for comparison sake. As you point out, the choice stuff is getting pricey.

Cruz123,
I am also on the look out for few pairs of Amperex 7308 PQ white label USA as well as Bugle Boy 6DJ8s and Amperex USN-6922 White Label GP. Those were recommended by one of the very first owners of Dodd pre amp. I trust his opinion and will try to follow his lead.
Tube vendors are going undeniably insane with prices raising through the roof. I don't mind paying fair price for excellent product or tubes for that matter but IMHO what is happening lately is just out of control. The only way, this so called friendly tube vendors get away with that is because some audiophiles with a hard on for rare and " collectible " tubes pay without blinking an eye.
Ebay on the other hand is polluted with counterfeits and ripoffs......risky business unless you know the source.

Back on Dodd. You did not say what were your 1st impressions and I hope that it is everything you did hope this preamp to be. I know it is to me. I have played with Dodd a little in my 2nd - smaller system for the break-in period ( that should not be longer then 100-150 hours if you ask me ). It is complementing Red Wine Audio Sig 30 and ADD monitors without being to obvious or dominant. I believe that Gary's minimal, simplistic approach is responsible for such a transparency and lock of signature sound other the the stock tubes. I love it. Its silence and ridiculous absence of noise of any kind is the achievement that is worth every penny and then some. Products like Dodd - which is IMO audiophiles best kept secret - have tendencies to become very well received by press and audiophile circles which ultimately leads to price increase. I am very careful with my words here but it is a product that should be kept secret and should not be carry on the golden platter like few other brands here on AgoN that count on users good feedbacks to survive and those with longest tongue act as their advocates.

At the end I hope that few that try this preamp can share their experiences .....but maybe not here where is so many rivalry between different camps.

If someone is willing to share some ideas fine but I would rather not do it here.

Mariusz

mrjstark, I still only have about twenty hours on the Dodd so far, so my impressions are still developing, but I definitely share your enthusiasm for this pre. The synergy with my VAC Auricles is amazing. I listen to a lot of acoustic music and the combination of the Dodd and the VAC's reproduces acoustic instruments with amazing accuracy. I'm going to withhold any subjective impressions of the sound pending complete break-in and some tube rolling, but needless to say I'm thrilled with the Dodd so far.

As to the unit itself, I am very pleased with the build quality. All switches fell very solid and the batteries were easy to install, etc. Also, I love the remote, which allows very minute volume changes.