Dodd preamp vs. McCormack RLD-1 preamp

I took them out and looked at them and they are the earliest version with just Amperex EC88 written on them with "Made in Holland" labeling. They predate the Bugle Boy production run from early 1958. I have no idea if they are the "best of the best", but they sure do sound very musical and three-dimensional. I've ordered some Ameperex Orange Globe 6dj8 "A-Frame" that others have also recommended. I think some warmth in my pre serves my amp and speakers well. I also have an Atma-pre and amp and I tend to prefer the RCA 12au7 Blackgates in the pre to Siemens 5814 - another case where I prefer a bit of warmth to absolute linear sound.

I recently went to audition Isabella/Isabellina at a friend's home. I would agree that the Isabella/Isabellina is 'warmer' than Dodd battery preamp. The difference between the two are not subtle.

I think if you already own a Dodd and feel that your sound is too bright, then you may want to try Isabella. Vice versa, if you own Isabella and think that the sound is too 'thick' and 'slow', you may want to try a Dodd.

I will leave it at that. Neither is better, is all about the "elusive' system synergy.

The rest of the system please as well as your friend's preferences & tubes used........we all have one and choice of tubes is also important to paint the whole picture.
As to your comparison between the two...in short - yes, RWA is a bit warmer. Slow......? I am not sure what do you mean by it though. (I might have missed your point)
I made my own comparison useing the same components, speakers, wires and tubes in side by side face-off.
Differences between the two are not in fact small and I do agree that it is a matter of taste and component synergy.
Did you had a chance to evaluate the buid-in DAC as well?
Also ,how do you voice your own system, so I can better understand where you stand - preference wise?

Thanks
Mariusz

Wanted to add my experience with the Dodd pre.

Bought it after reading threads by Mrjstart and others. Compared the Dodd with my Aud. Illusions L2 and modded Blue Circle 21.1. The amp was the RWA 30.2. I agree that the RWA does much better with a pre. (BTW, I have Merlin TSM-MMe's). I thought the Dodd bettered the other pres in most every respect. I was very pleased with the Dodd...and it looks great.

Also tried these pres with my McCormack with same result...Dodd was better. And RWA bettered the MC.

Then I got a Pass Aleph J from another A'gon member, and that amp with the Dodd made my system. I now have my "poor-man's-reference" system. The RWA and Dodd were excellent...the Aleph J with Dodd even better. The Dodd and Aleph also bettered my Plinius 8200 MKII.

While the Dodd/Aleph combo is terrific...I have one problem with the Pass amp. It runs quite hot so that may be a problem for my small apartment in Florida. So I am getting my Edge G4 amp upgraded and I hope the Dodd/Edge combo comes close to the Dodd/Aleph J system (now in my CT place).

Getting back to the Dodd pre with tha Aleph J, friends can't get over the sound from the Merlins. My daugher walks into my den while I'm listening to classical guitar, and stops in her tracks...she thought she was in a recording studio.

GSherwood, we have similar systems. I have the Dodd and Merlin TSM-MMe's as well. For amps, i am using VAC 70/70 Monoblocs. The clarity and detail with this combo is quite remarkable.