looking to upgrade dodd elp

[marvda1]

owners of the dodd audio entry level preamp, what level of preamps(make,model) would i have to look at to better the performance of the elp?
thanks

[ohskigod]

its not going to be easy, and your looking at an investment.
I bought a modded Anthem Pre2l from Doro and it was an improvement, but not by that much. I picked it up because I liked it since I laid eyes on it at last years Polkfest.

I would say your looking at lease 600 in the used market, and you can spend that much and not get a better pre. In terms of what to look for, wait for some more experienced gents pop in here. but take your time and choose wisely, that Dodd ELP is a great little pre and upgrading it without crushing your budget will take time.

[organ]

The MLP would be an upgrade.
Check out the tubes being used as well. Different family of tubes have different sound signatures. I really enjoy the 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes in the pre. So like Ohskigod said, spending more won't get you better sound sometimes.

[fredv]

Maurice is right on the money. Different tube families have different sound signatures.
I like the 6DJ8/6922/7308 base pre, too. They tend to be very neutral and less coloration.
My AI L1 and GTA SEP-1 both fall into this category. If things go as planned, the Jolida will be replaced by a 6922 based CDP. I am obsessive with the 6922 tubes!!!

[ND13]

Maurice is right on the money. Different tube families have different sound signatures.
I like the 6DJ8/6922/7308 base pre, too. They tend to be very neutral and less coloration.
My AI L1 and GTA SEP-1 both fall into this category. If things go as planned, the Jolida will be replaced by a 6922 based CDP. I am obsessive with the 6922 tubes!!!

Same here, I've got about 30 or so different 6DJ8 variants and the majority are NOS Amperex. Try out some different tubes first. You might just think you bought a better/different pre.

[marvda1]

soundwise, what other preamps have you compared the dodd elp to and what were the results?

[reeltrouble1]

MLP---deeper extension, smoother top end, has a very nice bandwith.

[marvda1]

it's probally just as hard to get someone to sell a mlp or rlp as it is to get them to sell the elp.
reeltrouble1, unless you want to sell yours?

[marvda1]

my elp is one of six (i believe, will have to ask gary) that he re-designed with outboard transformer, power supply chokes. i also had mine equiped with sonicap platinum bypass caps by gary. is there anyone who has heard and compared this upgraded unit to the original elp and if so what were the sonic differences?
marvin

[reeltrouble1]

I have seen some MLP's on the Gon. they come up here occasionally.

Dont know where Waldecker has been but he was really high on his BAT tubed pre which is a company I am most interested in. I am pretty much in the go large or not at all gang now and have been jonesing over the BAT51SE. If you have a BAT dealer near you take a listen, the Cary gear is also quite exceptional and would certainly be on my "list".

RT1

[univera]

In regards to tube amps/pre-amps and tubed cd players, does it make natural sense to "keep it in the family," so to speak, in regards to using gear that is designed using certain tube families? If I understand correctly, a Jolida, for example, requires a certain family of tubes? (FredV mentions wanting to get a player to replace his Jolida so that he can get one with the 6922 family of tubes.)

[fredv]

FredV mentions wanting to get a player to replace his Jolida so that he can get one with the 6922 family of tubes.
It is sad that the deal fell through.

I was in Hong Kong last March and auditioned the Cayin CDT-17A. I was very
impressed. It costed about 850, but there was no 110-120V in stock.
My friend in Hong Kong told me that he would try to get me one. Last week, my friend told me that the manufacturer wouldn't sell the 110-120V as they wanted to protected the importers in this market. He still can get me
the 220-240V for the same prcie, but I am somewhat skeptical of using a step down transformer......

[halo]

He still can get me
the 220-240V for the same prcie, but I am somewhat skeptical of using a step down transformer......Can't you use a dedicated 220V outlet / line from your house's electrical panel box?

[michael_w]

Let me know if you're planning on getting rid of the elp. I might just be in the market for one soon ;) (trying to step into tubes with a preamp upgrade)

[fredv]

Can't you use a dedicated 220V outlet / line from your house's electrical panel box?
Yeah, but I will have to hire an electrician, I am not this kind of handyman ....
Maurice probably can shed some light his experience with his 220V Original
+ transformer.

[SCompRacer]

Yeah, but I will have to hire an electrician, I am not this kind of handyman ....


No guts, No glory.....:D

[seo]

it's probally just as hard to get someone to sell a mlp or rlp as it is to get them to sell the elp.
reeltrouble1, unless you want to sell yours?


Dodd Reference preamp on the 'gon right now for $1800

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1161793525

[Shizelbs]

I replaced my Dodd elp with a Transcendent SS pre. It was better (faster, better seperation), but not that much better.

If you've got the money, the Dodd on the 'gon is tempting.

[fredv]

No guts, No glory.....:D
Don't you want to see me posting in the future ;)

[disneyjoe7]

Dodd reference Pre using the 6SN7 tube not the 6DJ8 tube, that seems to be looked here in a high regards. The Cary 98L Pre which is on my short list, using the 6SN7 tube why if the 6DJ8 is that good? Just different sound or something else I not seeing?

[fredv]

I think the circuitry design specific to a particular tube gives the amp's sonic signature. I am sure many none 6922 pre's sound just superb. I just happened
to have a 6922 pre that sounds better than the 12AX7 and the 17AU7 amps,
but then their original retail prices were very different as well. If my memory
serves me right, the 6DJ8/6922 were designed for radio/TV uses rather than
audio, but with a good circuitry design (and quality parts), probably any tubes
can sound good.

The Cayin was the first tube CDP that I could auditioned for a period of time, and the
amp's (Cayin) and speakers (don't remember the brand, they were Italian
monitors) were also very different from what I have. I actually purchased the
Jolida after I came back from Hong Kong. So, I really can't say for sure that
the Cayin is better than the Jolida. It is one of those cases that the first
experience was so good that it exceeds what it actually is in the memory.
Like 25 year ago, I thought my significant other was god sent... That lasted
for a few years ..... Don't ask me what I think now :D

[reeltrouble1]

Well the Dodd sold, it was underpriced so I am not suprised it went quickly. Maybe a member picked up this on a good deal.

RT1