SPECIAL GROUP BUY DODD AUDIO 120 MONO'S

Danny Richie · « **Reply #100 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 11:16 pm »

The limited time special that Gary ran here for 2k a pair was for a standard finish. This guy has all chrome front and top plate plus chrome tops on his transformers.

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #101 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 02:37 am »

Quote from: Danny

The limited time special that Gary ran here for 2k a pair was for a standard finish. This guy has all chrome front and top plate plus chrome tops on his transformers.

Danny,

I already made a deal on these

but, as soon as I get the prettier ones, I will sell my 120's for a good deal too

audiojerry · « **Reply #102 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 02:06 pm »

Hey, alotaklipsch, maybe you would allow me to hear your Dodd's sometime down dare in ChiTown? I'm up dare inda Milwalkee area, yah-der-hey

Danny Richie · « **Reply #103 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 02:35 pm »

Two thumbs up for you then alotaklipsch.

Jerry, I have read a lot of your posts and reviews concerning amps. I think you'd really like these.

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #104 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 09:54 pm »

JERRY,

NOPROBLEMA, I LIVE IN WILMETTE

JUST OFF THE EXPWY

toobluvr · « **Reply #105 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 11:55 pm »

Quote from: Danny

Two thumbs up for you then alotaklipsch.

Jerry, I have read a lot of your posts and reviews concerning amps. I think you'd really like these.

Just a quick report....

I got in on the special group buy.
I've only had them for 9 days...things are still settling in...
so just a quick note for now.

Friggin' nightmare burning these things in!
I've burned in lots of gear, but, I mean this was an absolutely dreadful
and painful experience. Mainly because I thought they were already significantly bench-burned before arrival, and that only minimal improvement was on the horizon.
There was no way that burn-in could remedy what I was hearing!
Sounded like a serious mismatch, or something broken in my system.

By day 6 I was ready to chuck 'em out the window.
No kidding!
Thought I made a serious mistake.
Day 7, the corner is turned....almost like a switch was hit.
Been steadily improving since then.

In a word....these things are friggin' TERRIFIC!!
And they just keep getting better.
Well worth the 6 month wait!

I'm sure I'll have a more detailed report later.
Just wanted to give a quick heads up to those still mired in burn-in hell.
Stay away from sharp objects.
Sit tight and get ready for a real sweeeet ride.
Based on what I hear, it's hard to imagine anyone NOT liking these amps.

I know Gary sold a bunch of these, so I'm surprised I haven't seen more comments / reviews here. Anyone else have a similar experience with burn-in?

To those that got in on the deal...congrats on a wise purchase!
I know for me it was real tough to pull the trigger.
Info was sooo scarce, that it really was a leap of faith.
I gotta say Danny and his enthusiasm, along with the few other
user comments I could dig up, greatly influenced
my decision. Nonetheless, there was much anxiety and trepidation
about making a blind purhcase w so little info.
I just went with the gut this time.

To those that didn't....well, there's always AudioGon.
But I wouldn't be surprised if they remain rare and scarce on the used marketplace.

To Gary...thanks for a TERRIFIC product, an AMAZING price, and good customer support...despite being swamped.

To Danny.....thanks for your strongly enthusiastic comments. For without them, I probably wouldn't own these amps. I must confess I initailly took them for over-the-top shilling. But now I see light!

To all those on this board who, without even realizing it, through their enthusiastic and positive comments, persuaded me to buy......I say THANK YOU!

John

audiojerry · « **Reply #106 on:** 8 Dec 2005, 03:12 am »

This was just a quick report?
That was longer than some reviews I've read.

Thanks for the feedback, and nice system (saw your gallery)
The Herron's must be great with the Dodd

toobluvr · « **Reply #107 on:** 8 Dec 2005, 03:19 am »

Quote from: audiojerry

This was just a quick report?
That was longer than some reviews I've read.
Thanks for the feedback, and nice system (saw your gallery)
The Herron's must be great with the Dodd

"quick" because I didn't say much about the sound of the amp per se......or throw around any of the audiophile approved lingo and descriptions.

Just wanted to offer some hope to those out on the ledge during break-in.

And yes.....the Dodds have really got a hold on my Herons, is throwing 'em around the room, and is really making 'em sing!

DrRasta · « **Reply #108 on:** 8 Dec 2005, 03:23 am »

Ok I've been going through the same emotions/process as toobluvr. It's been about a week since I unpacked these and they sounded terrible out of the box. Tonight they're starting to sound like "tube amps." Much detail and deep soundstage without being bright. Swapped out some of the Phillips tubes for Amperex 7119's. Have some GE 7044's coming. Not sure why Gary ships these with the Phillips tubes and sends a note saying they're the bottom of the heap sonically....

toobluvr · « **Reply #109 on:** 8 Dec 2005, 03:40 am »

Quote from: DrRasta

Ok I've been going through the same emotions/process as toobluvr. It's been about a week since I unpacked these and they sounded terrible out of the box. Tonight they're starting to sound like "tube amps." Much detail and deep soundstage without being bright. Swapped out some of the Phillips tubes for Amperex 7119's. Have some GE 7044's coming. Not sure why Gary ships these with the Phillips tubes and sends a note saying they're the bottom of the heap sonically....

Hey Dr.....

During burn-in mine never ever sounded bright or edgy. Quite the opposite. The sound was quite dark, thick and heavy. No air...no treble energy...no life...dead sounding. Quite terrible, actually. So bad that I couldn't imagine burn-in improving things. So it had me swapping in everything I had at my disposal to try and fix it: tubes, preamps, cables, cd players. All to no avail. And it didn't get better till the 7th day....probably around the 35 hour point. Then all of a sudden.....HOLY #$%@&!!! Big change....and still improving! So this amp experiences significant improvement with burn-in.

It's still early on, and I am just learning of its charms.
But I am confident in saying, even at this early juncture, that the Dodd 120 is indeed quite an amp! Not a bad looker, either.

Enjoy!

audiojerry · « **Reply #110 on:** 8 Dec 2005, 01:24 pm »

7 days....35 hour point?
That's not many hours for 7 days, and 35 hours is nothing for burn-in.

You may not want to play it 24/7, but then I think you would want to give it a lot more time before the Dodd or any amp will reach its potential. I hope you can report back after 100 hours.

What did alotaklipsch experience during burn-in?

toobluvr · « **Reply #111 on:** 8 Dec 2005, 03:22 pm »

Quote from: audiojerry

7 days....35 hour point?
That's not many hours for 7 days, and 35 hours is nothing for burn-in.
You may not want to play it 24/7, but then I think you would want to give it a lot more time before the Dodd or any amp will reach its potential. I hope you can report back after 100 hours.

What did alotaklipsch experience during burn-in?

That was 35 hrs of actual music playing time.
Amps were powered on, but not playing music, for maybe another 35 hrs.
I don't leave tube amps on when I'm not in the house.

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #112 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 02:21 am »

Jerry,

I am a nut, I ran em 24/7 thru a cd player for 7 days before even listening, they sound GREAT. I also have all my other STUFF too.

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #113 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 02:53 am »

Quote from: Danny

Two thumbs up for you then alotaklipsch.

Jerry, I have read a lot of your posts and reviews concerning amps. I think you'd really like these.[/quote

Danny,

Talk to me about the Epiphany 12-12 vs. your new line source speakers

Danny Richie · « **Reply #114 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 04:17 am »

Quote

Talk to me about the Epiphany 12-12 vs. your new line source speakers

I have heard through the grape vine about the possible steel on a pair of 12/12's and the figures involved. Better jump all over it before he changes his mind. Those are a $14,500. pair of speakers.

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #115 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 04:44 am »

Quote from: Danny

Quote
Talk to me about the Epiphany 12-12 vs. your new line source speakers

I have heard through the grape vine about the possible steel on a pair of 12/12's and the figures involved. Better jump all over it before he changes his mind. Those are a $14,500. pair of speakers.

How do they compare to your alpha's, or your new baby's your coming up with. I know you were involved with the design, if ya wanna email me thats cool too, or we can talk on the phone.

Steve

Danny Richie · « **Reply #116 on:** 9 Dec 2005, 04:49 am »

e-mail me or PM me a number if you like and I'll call you tomorrow. Or you can give me a call just before noon or right after noon (after lunch time

).

alotaklipsch · « **Reply #117 on:** 11 Dec 2005, 02:05 am »

I talked to Gary tonight, pulling him way from his Pizza dinner, we decided to go full blown with upgrades on both the amps, and the pre-amps. It should be interesting to compare the Modwright to the Dodd reference. Gary does AWESOME work. The amps are very dynamic, with a very smooth frequency response throughout the audioble spectrum. It is more SS sounding than I am use too, but, me likes. The amps really grab the bass notes, without the softening I have benn use too. The best comparison with another tube amp would be the Berning ZH270 which also amazes me in the bass dept.

MOre later.

Thanks Gary

Oh, I am getting a few of Gary's newly developed Balance power line conditioners. Gotta have TOYS

prokennex · « **Reply #118 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 12:12 am »

Dr Rasta wrote:

Quote

Ok I've been going through the same emotions/process as toobluvr. It's been about a week since I unpacked these and they sounded terrible out of the box. Tonight they're starting to sound like "tube amps." Much detail and deep soundstage without being bright. Swapped out some of the Phillips tubes for Amperex 7119's. Have some GE 7044's coming. Not sure why Gary ships these with the Phillips tubes and sends a note saying they're the bottom of the heap sonically....

Dr. Where are you getting the GE 7044's from? How did you find the 7119's? In my system, I found the phillips 5687's bright, especially when compared to the tungsols.

toobluvr · « **Reply #119 on:** 13 Dec 2005, 06:13 pm »

Quote from: prokennex

Dr Rasta wrote:
Dr. Where are you getting the GE 7044's from? How did you find the 7119's? In my system, I found the phillips 5687's bright, especially when compared to the tungsols.

Got my GE7044 at thetubecenter.com.
Nice folks...pristine and brand new tubes....$8 each.
Quick ship...placed order on Friday, received tubes on Monday.

While the NOS TungSol 5687 are a nice improvement over stock, I prefer the GE7044....more musical top to bottom, and more liquid in the mids.

The 120's are superb in almost every regard. But with the TS and stock 5687, they were falling just short in producing that real liquid, engaging and "colorful" midrange that I have become accustomed to from years of SET listening. I found myself craving it when listening to the Dodds. The GE 7044 gets me closer to that glorious "SET-like" midrange than the others.

Hey!! You other 120 owners.....
Gary sold lost of amps so I know you're out there.
Let's hear your experiences, impressions and comments!