These include, but are not limited to:
McCormack DNA 500
BAT VK500
BAT VK600
Conrad Johnson 350
ASL Hurricanes
Parasound JC1
Cary CAD-211M
Joule OTL VZN-100 Marquis MkIV
NOSValves VRD
Lamm ???
Pretty impressive list!
I kind of wish I had purchased them when Gary offered them at that really good blow out price.
So is it really the best amp you have had in your system? If so, what makes it the best?
George
Hard to say for sure, George.....beause I've had so many amps, in so many different systems.
But yes...I'm pretty confident it is the best.
I can say that right now, with the Dodds, I'm getting the best sound I've ever had.
As you know, I have an affinity for SET. While the Dodd monos don't have quite the same palpability, fluidity, lucious midrange, halographic imaging, or beautiful "lit from within" quality as good SET, they are just soooo well balanced and sooooo good in just about all regards...that I can overlook their non-SET status. Haven't found too many amps that I feel that way about!
The bass is incredible...
I was gonna say, "for a tube amp".
But I think it is probably incredible for ANY amp.
But I can't say for sure...not having huge amounts of sand amp experience.
Great pitch, definition and detail.
Well balanced.....never swamps or overtakes the music.
Plenty of impact and just plain "natural sounding".
If the mids are not right...game over...I walk away.
I don't care how good it is anywhere else.
Dodd mids are wonderfully clear, natural and expressive.
Not quite goosebump material.
But I have only ever gotten that from SET.
Highs are smooth and grain free.
May not have the last bit of air/sparkle...but I think problem might lie elsewhere in the system.
It does a VG job on all the other auido-fool tricks like imaging and space.
Very fast...very transparent.....quite detailed, but naturally so.
Not analytical or hi-fi'ish.
Musical....fatigue free....can listen forever.
And I am hugely sensitive to grain, glare, or any kind of fatiguing sound.
I know it's a cliche....but I know of no other way to say it.
The Dodd 120 monos seems to marry the best of both camps.
The speed, detail and transparency of sand...
but you still always know you are listening to tubes as the warmth, layering, musicality and "human-ness" of glass comes through.