LS6/LS9 PreAmp Suggestions/Ideas

pmctexas · « **on:** 9 Jul 2016, 03:01 pm »

For those with LS6/LS9 experience - what have you found to provide synergy with these speakers? I realize answers will vary but your experiences might help me in search for new pre-amp. Budget is $2500 - used ok. Basic unit OK just prefer remote. Tube ok. Amp is AVA Ultra 550 (hybrid) . Considering AVA (new) and Moon (used)... Open to suggestions - I like to optimize on Jazz vocals. Already have plenty of sound-stage! Thanks

S Clark · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jul 2016, 03:50 pm »

There are probably more LS6/9's with Dodd preamps in the system than any other brand- they were designed with Dodd electronics powering them. They still come up used fairly regularly.

Hugh · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jul 2016, 04:38 pm »

All of our LS customers use Melody and they love it.

terra · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jul 2016, 04:41 pm »

I would have to agree with S Clark. I Have Ls 9 with Battery powered Dodd preamp and battery powered Dodd Dac and a moded Mac mini on battery's. My amp is the only thing that is not running off battery's. For my setup the Dodd preamp really is excellent, no bells and whistles , only thing the remote does is the volume.

terra

mlundy57 · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 02:24 am »

Here's a listing for a Dodd preamp for sale http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649279548-dodd-audio-battery-tube-buffer/

Mike

HAL · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 02:44 am »

If someone is interested in a large chassis 4 battery Dodd Audio preamp with Spalted Maple front panel and remote, PM me. No batteries in the preamp, but easy to get locally to save a lot of weight in shipping.

It has to much gain for my Super-V setup, so went to the Battery Buffer. It has very low hour 7308's installed.

I also have a Battery Buffer with a 6922 and remote if someone is interested as well. It has a Padauk wood front panel. Also a Battery DAC with a purpleheart front panel.

The Battery Buffer was in a LS-9 setup on loan driving Bryston 7BST's and sounded very good indeed.

I will still have a full Dodd Battery Buffer, Battery DAC and 30wpc stereo Battery PA system in a setup.

S Clark · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 02:51 am »

And lots of people around here will vouch for HAL (Rich). Great guy. By the way, I had the buffer on the LS9's, and though a bit more detailed than the original (probably the tube rather than the unit) I preferred the original pre as I thought it had better dynamics. Like Rich, I have both.
And one more thing, Rich may disagree with my thoughts. If so, follow his advice rather than mine. The guy has hearing like a bat.

HAL · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 03:09 am »

Scott,
I never got to hear the Battery Buffer with the 6H30-DR tube on the LS-9's at Forest Dwellers. He liked it a lot.

IIRC, he needed a bit more gain to work with the Bryston's and LS-9's. He never tried the large chassis Dodd preamp with them. That has gain, so might be a better match.

I wanted Gary to mod my BB or my large chassis battery preamp to have the new gain stage, but sadly never got there, and no one knows the mod from BB to Gain. The last gain stage Dodd preamp with the selectable gain would have been perfect with the LS-9's in his setup.

nickd · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 04:47 pm »

PmcTexas,
I have a 2 chassis PBN Olympia L preamp that has the Tent Labs volume control that I used with my LS-9's. Within your budget. PM me if you are interested. It is a state of the art piece. Balanced and single ended connections.

arthurs · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 05:13 pm »

Ooh, the PBN is a fantastic pre

pmctexas · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 07:05 pm »

Thanks for all the ideas. Dodd stuff on battery looks most interesting. I'm concerned about repairs if needed. I have no skills.

S Clark · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 07:53 pm »

Quote from: pmctexas on 10 Jul 2016, 07:05 pm

Thanks for all the ideas. Dodd stuff on battery looks most interesting. I'm concerned about repairs if needed. I have no skills.

I think Danny Richie has most of Gary's schematics. You might contact him.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 08:01 pm »

Quote from: pmctexas on 10 Jul 2016, 07:05 pm

Thanks for all the ideas. Dodd stuff on battery looks most interesting. I'm concerned about repairs if needed. I have no skills.

Charlie Cocci (good friend of mine and Gary Dodd) has been doing repairs and upgrades. He is very familiar with all of Gary's stuff.

I also have a very special pre-amp that Gary built for himself that deserves a good home. It used two really large tubes. I don't recall the model. And all else was based on his standard batter powered tube pre-amp. I have it over a the new shop. I need to get a hold of it to see what tubes those are and take some pictures of it. Someone needs to be appreciating it.

pmctexas · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 Jul 2016, 08:13 pm »

Thanks Danny let me know what you dig up.

Skiman · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Jul 2016, 04:58 am »

Another LS9 owner here with a Dodd tube battery preamp. This replaced a Pass Labs preamp. As noted, no bells or whistles, just a simple volume remote. Per Danny's suggestion, I use a huge 100 amp hour PowerSonic battery connected to a C Tek charger. Set it and forget it. I do have a pair of solid state 1K monoblocks though.

Cheeseboy · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Jul 2016, 08:32 am »

I have a Dodd Battery Preamp with a 6h30DR tube and remote. Most would tell you this is the magic tube for tHis preamp and speakers. It sounds incredible. I'm going in a different direction and would let it go with the trickle charger and battery for 1k. It has rocked my LS 6 and will keep rocking.
This is a preamp not a buffer

Steve.

HAL · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Jul 2016, 09:51 am »

Quote from: Danny Richie on 10 Jul 2016, 08:01 pm

Charlie Cocci (good friend of mine and Gary Dodd) has been doing repairs and upgrades. He is very familiar with all of Gary's stuff.

I also have a very special pre-amp that Gary built for himself that deserves a good home. It used two really large tubes. I don't recall the model. And all else was based on his standard batter powered tube pre-amp. I have it over a the new shop. I need to get a hold of it to see what tubes those are and take some pictures of it. Someone needs to be appreciating it.

Danny,
I would like to know if Charlie can do the selectable gain amp mod to Gary's older tube 4 battery preamp?

Danny Richie · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Jul 2016, 01:06 pm »

Quote from: Cheeseboy on 11 Jul 2016, 08:32 am

I have a Dodd Battery Preamp with a 6h30DR tube and remote. Most would tell you this is the magic tube for tHis preamp and speakers. It sounds incredible. I'm going in a different direction and would let it go with the trickle charger and battery for 1k. It has rocked my LS 6 and will keep rocking.
This is a preamp not a buffer

Steve.

That's a steal.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Jul 2016, 01:06 pm »

Quote from: HAL on 11 Jul 2016, 09:51 am

Danny,
I would like to know if Charlie can do the selectable gain amp mod to Gary's older tube 4 battery preamp?

I'll shoot you his number.

HAL · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Jul 2016, 04:34 pm »

Danny,
Thanks!