Which preamp Dodd or Cary slp-98L


Would like some feedback on which preamp would best suite my McCormack DNA-500 SS amp. Source is Audio Aero Capitole MKII and speakers Usher Be-10 with Focal Utopia sub. I have a Melos SHA-1 and would like to upgrade.
bernal737
I agree with last to posts......wait and listen for yourself.
I think Vinnie offers in home audition with money back guaranty for 30 days. Nothing to loose accept shipping costs.
Gary does't yet offer IHT , but hopefully he will.

As to one of the comments from the "Rave".......I agree with that statement. Modwright is very transparent and in my opinion with grained upper freq. It is true, I am very sensetive to coloration in that department. I had the same experiance with Supratek preamp. Yes, it was great......but no matter what I have tried to eliminate the edginess / grain - whatever you want to call it - it seemed to be there no matter what. I loved that preamp but had to let it go for that reason alone. Dodd is very sensetive to tube rolling and its character is very much influence by tubes you choose to pair it with. My choice were NOS Mullards and like most of you know it is a queen of middle range in 6922 family. It is not the most detail or transparent of tubes from that group and one can tweak Dodd's character by simplly swaping pair of tubes. If you want more detail use Amperex 7308 white label PQ or Amperex orange label 6922 round plate.
I like Mullard for its musicality, body, wonderful vocals as well as insrtuments articulation. Your preferances might be different from mine. All in all , it is very easy to forget that Dodd is even in the system and it doesn't draw attention to itself like some that I have own or auditioned.
Like I said , it is not "it" for everyone but at least worth a listen. But away, Gary makes only one preamp - the battery powered preamp that I am refering to.
i forgot to give a 'thank you' to Mrjstark for all the info regarding the Dodd. i am sure it is very good - - especially with the battery powerd RWA 30.2!

Nate
Thanks Nate. Well.....it is OK with RWA.....not exactlly my main rig but close enough to enjoy it. Both systems share the same characteristics and sound very alike. Of course both share the same preamp.....until TVC passive preamp arrives with 4ch for HT. AADs need a little more power.....maybe another RWA for Bi-amp in the near future. Who knows, I might even try new RWA Isabella preamp and compare it to Dodd. The only thing that scares me is that I might fall in love with it ............and my peace of mind will be back in the upgrade mode. :) Like I said, it would be very interesting to have these two going head to head at each other. Both battery powered with sweet, engaging and musical character ( I am guessing here based on my experience with RWA amp). Will have to find someone in NY area who is thinking about RWA preamp and ask for audition. I know tha Vinnie sometimes shows up at the Raves......so maybe there we could let them loose.....who knows. Its build in dac is the iceing on the cake. Costs more but within the reasons.

Best
Mariusz
I have the RWA Sig 70.2 mono amps. If Red Wine has the Isabella preamp performing like they do their amps, then their preamp will be very good. Plus the built in DAC will give you other options, like putting all of your music on a Mac so you can put your cd's in storage.