Dodd preamp vs. McCormack RLD-1 preamp

I thought I had "graduated" from separates with my Plinius 9100 (in one setup) and a 8200 MKII (in another). Also tried Audio Analogue Puccini 70...all with the Merlins.

But I still couldn't quite get the sound promised by Merlin TSM-MMe's. Merlins are so revealing and transparent...and I wasn't getting that. So back to separates. First my modded BC 21.1 (I always liked that pre), my Audible Illusions L2, and then the Dodd (after reading Mariusz rave about it). With amps, it was a McCormack DNA 125, Rotel 1062, a B&K, and then finally the Pass Aleph J.

The Dodd, Aleph J, and the Merlins seemed to jump out with all the soundstage, musicality, warmth, etc. I was looking for. So I have my (as I said before) my "poor-man's-refernece" system.

Can one achieve this with an integrated amp? Maybe with a Pass, Edge or Accuphase integrated for $8-12,000. But I'm not sure.

My final "tweak"...I have an Edge G6 amp which I sent to Tom for his mods and I will them compare that amp with the Pass Aleph J. Looking forward to that.

My final remark...I assumed one got synergy with int. amps...but I did not find that. Even with fairly good gear (Plinius).

Gsherwood53

I am very happy that your search for "Holly Grail" has come to the point where you can enjoy the music ones again.

"Poor Man's Reference".....I am not sure.
Money do help to make dreams come true but it is not the answer for everything.

While auditioning gear costing gazillions and those raved about brands by audiophile magazine writers (reviewers) , I came to conclusion that well advertised products with gift wrap reviews (in most cases) sound like crap.
No, no, no.......I did not say bad, no. Simply speaking the value performance ratio was of.....wayyyyy of.
Milking the naive or stupid.
Finding the real gem is all about the sound and luck.
Luck, becouse gems are not easy to find and those who found them are silent.
Dodd among few others are the few that would qualify as such and it is a shame that it does not get the exposure it deserves.
But what do you expect........

As to your amp choices.
Well Aleph J might be your best bet.
Edge is a fine amp but it just might not give you what you are looking for. Modding Edge ???? Maybe but make sure that the person in charge is You. Be clear as to what do you expect from his mods.

Good luck

Mariusz

What I love about the J is NPs decision to give it that very high input impedance (242kohm) specifically for the purpose of making it an easy load for tube preamps - a smart idea as the combination of a good tube preamp with the J is as Glenn now knows is a killer "low cost" combination; it would also proabably be very receptive to a passive preamp like a Bent Tap X. The one caveat with the J is you need "tube friendly" speakers for it to work best (highish and smooth impedance) - like the Merlins. With more "difficult" speakers I would make the move to the Pass XA30.5 with the Dodd - while the XA30.5 is not as easy a load for tube preamps, the Dodd has a very low (200ohm) output impedance for a tube preamp making it very capable of driving most SS amps - even the 15kohm XA30.5.

Read the review at Stereomojo.com.

http://www.stereomojo.com/Dodd%20Audio%20Preamp%20Review/DoddAudioPreampreview.htm

Just to add something to this old thread: I have a McCormack ALD-1 w/Steve's A+ revisions (separate power supply, full reworking of the internals, basically upgraded as much as possible) and on a lark, just purchased a used Dodd through the 'gon. Once I get it fired up, I will let you know how it sounds. FWIW, the ALD-1 (which obviously isn't the RLD-1 platinum, but is very similar performance-wise when it has the top level of revisions) is a very special preamp. I borrow or buy a preamp (used) now and then to see if something beats the ALD-1. Last 3 challengers were an ARC LS-26, McIntosh C2300 (w/Telefunken Smooth plates), and Modwright Signature 9.0, all of which came up short. Hoping the Dodd bests them and gives the ALD-1 a run for it's money, and for what I paid for it, I will probably keep it as a different "flavor" of a pre, even if it doesn't exceed the ALD-1's performance. Will report back.....