Dodd preamp vs. McCormack RLD-1 preamp

Buy low and try it out and sell if it is not to your liking.

Is the RLD1 passive?

Thanks to you who replied. I will choose wisely as I tend to do with just about everything I purchase. The two preamps actually do have a few things in common: SS, remote control, both in the $3K price range (the RLD-1 with mods). I like the sound of my ARC LS3 a lot but would like remote volume control. ARC used to retrofit the LS3 with remote volume but unfortunately no longer. So I am looking to buy something. I have auditioned several tube preamps in that price range but so far haven't heard anything that rivals my LS3. So....the Dodd and the McCormack have ended up in the same sentence on my short list. Any input regarding relative sound of the two would be much appreciated.

Dodd is not a SS but tube (6922 X 2). McC, sounds warmish then most SS designs but locks transparency. Dodd excells in speed, articulation and inner detail. As well as black backgrounds due to very low floor noise which is the result of going "Off THE GRID".
Again, I am not familiar with modded version of McC.

I am upgrading to Red Wine Audio Isabella preamp with build in DAC. That preamp might not be in your price range as it sells for 4K linestage and $5500 with Isabellina NOS non upsampling DAC.

In comparison to RWA, Dodd will give you 90-95% of Isabella's performance at 60-70% of its asking price.
Isabellina DAC is a completly different story and one of the reason for me to jump on RWA wagon. One of the best CD reproductions I have heard recently and the best in my system.

Cheers

You might want to read the Dodd review on 10audio.com. It is pretty accurate IMO.
One interesting point is that the 6922s are dual triodes, and the Dodd only uses one side of each tube, so you can swap them after normal tube life and double life of each tube. If you use expensive NOS tubes, this savings might be significant. Cheers,
Spencer