Dodd Audio battery powered preamp

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Stercom

Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« on: 1 Oct 2025, 03:18 pm »
I saw this on TMR today:

https://tmraudio.com/fresh-arrivals/dodd-audio-battery-powered-stereo-tube-preamplifier/ 

I know a lot of AudioCircle people look for Dodd Audio gear so thought I'd post the link.

Tubefly

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #1 on: 1 Oct 2025, 06:05 pm »
Poof!! Gone already

Stercom

Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #2 on: 1 Oct 2025, 06:20 pm »
Wow. His stuff goes fast especially when it's in good shape.

cllogan

Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #3 on: 1 Oct 2025, 07:39 pm »
What was the price?

Stercom

Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #4 on: 1 Oct 2025, 07:44 pm »
I think $1,495 plus shipping/tax.

crad

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #5 on: 2 Oct 2025, 06:53 am »
I saw this on TMR today:

I know a lot of AudioCircle people look for Dodd Audio gear so thought I'd post the link.

Thanks for posting this, and yeah it went very quick; I've been interested in trying to hear one. The interesting bit is that the pic posted in the listing showing the inside is missing all the batteries! I'm thinking its two options, they replaced them with new ones after the pic was taken (most likely), or the new owner will be wondering why the preamp weighs so little.
I'm hoping its the former, than the latter : )




« Last Edit: 2 Oct 2025, 10:21 pm by crad »

Stercom

Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #6 on: 2 Oct 2025, 09:09 am »
Haha, yeah I noticed that too. I've used TMR in the past and they are excellent. I'm guessing they took each battery out to test each one individually - took a picture - and then just didn't take another picture after they put them back in?

Tyson

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #7 on: 2 Oct 2025, 04:58 pm »
* Batteries not included, lol.

S Clark

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #8 on: 3 Oct 2025, 12:16 pm »
When you buy that unit, it probably makes sense to start with fresh batteries.  Also, pulling the batteries makes a lot of sense when shipping it.  My Dodd preamps are still the backbone of both of my systems. 

crad

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #9 on: 3 Oct 2025, 03:30 pm »
When you buy that unit, it probably makes sense to start with fresh batteries.  Also, pulling the batteries makes a lot of sense when shipping it.  My Dodd preamps are still the backbone of both of my systems.

Agreed, those particular batteries have a short shelf life and are not expensive. I had a LessLoss DAC ages ago that used them, and was easy to swap out and buy new ones. Its a smart set up and sounded great while on battery.
I think I still have Sequerra unit laying around that uses same kind of batteries, time to go look inside.

Please post again when another Dodd comes up.  :thumb:

usp1

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #10 on: 4 Oct 2025, 10:54 pm »
I have a Dodd buffer to which Gary later added a gain stage. It has a 6h30 tube and sounds just divine. It sat on the shelf for three years while I was out of town mostly. I recently connected it and the sound is just as nice as I remembered it being. Unfortunately, one of the channels cuts out intermittently. Not sure what to look for. But when it works the sound is just wonderful.

crad

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #11 on: 5 Oct 2025, 05:07 am »
Unfortunately, one of the channels cuts out intermittently. Not sure what to look for. But when it works the sound is just wonderful.

The easy things to try first, is cleaning the tube sockets and tube pins with Deoxit, and then the three pots on the front (a little trickier to spray). If cleaning them doesn't cure it, then try replacing the tube with a new one, the 6h30 tube is a dual triode, so maybe one side of the tube is bad. If still happening, then try cleaning the several internal multi pin molex plugs in inside. I suspect there was some oxidation built up after sitting for so long and could just need a good cleaning.

Also, you should try swapping out the 12v battery pack, fresh ones work much better than old ones; and can effect sound quality. They do have a shelf life due date.

Hopefully that does does the trick. If not, then it's time to pull out the multimeter and schematic (if you can find one), or take it to your local service tech to get an assessment.

usp1

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Re: Dodd Audio battery powered preamp
« Reply #12 on: 5 Oct 2025, 02:10 pm »
Thanks for the tips. Will try those. The 6h30P-DR is the reflektor supertube so I hope it is not the problem. Those things are expensive.
« Last Edit: 5 Oct 2025, 05:03 pm by usp1 »