What's the best pre I can get for $1,000 or so. . .

jackman · « **Reply #20 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 05:27 pm »

Danny,
Although I think your input adds a lot to this site, and the Dodd preamps look really cool, I'm a bit surprised the ASSHOLE hall monitors (names not necessary) have not given you a hard time for posting something about a product you like and happen to sell. I have no problem with it and hope manufacturers can provide valuable product suggestions without the little sissies (they know who they are) getting their panties in a bunch. These are the same guys who (a few years ago) would take names and rat their classmates out for chewing gum in the library.

Anyway, thanks for the great suggestions. I'm a bit shocked at how inexpensive that Dodd gear is. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to hear it one of these days.

Jack

BikeWNC · « **Reply #21 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 05:52 pm »

Jackman,

I'm not aware that Danny actually sells Dodd Audio gear. When I asked Danny about the Dodd stuff, he suggested I call Gary Dodd directly. I don't really know what their business relationship is. Perhaps Danny could elaborate in his forum. Either way I had no problem with Frank's or Danny's posts. But let's just put it all to rest for now, less we stir up the hornets again.

Andy

Danny Richie · « **Reply #22 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 06:02 pm »

Actually Jack,

I don't sell the Dodd Audio pre-amps or amps.

I have just been helping Gary promote that stuff because I like it, I think it is a great value, and I have become friends with Gary.

I make nothing off the sale of any of his amps or pre-amps.

I did make his Levitators available to be ordered from our web site and I do make money on those just like several other distributors (Bolder Cable Co. for one), but that is the Only Dodd Audio product I sell.

Note that I list his e-mail and number at the bottom of the post.

Plus, I really don't think the moderators are doing a bad job at all. There has to be lines somewhere and there is a lot of freedom given here to start with.

jackman · « **Reply #23 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 06:16 pm »

http://www.gr-research.com/dodd_amp.html

Andy,
I agree with you regarding "stirring" things up. Danny does sell Dodd amps (link above) and I have no problem with Danny's comments. He is a good guy (as is Frank Van Alstine). The preamps look great and I trust Danny's ear for good sound.

I just have a problem with the jerkoffs who are quick to throw stones at manufacturers... as long as the manufacturers they slam aren't their personal friends/bear-drinking buddies. The same a-holes who were "piling on" during the (now infamous) AVA thread would have been licking the boots of their "pet" manufacturers. It's a double standard and I think it stinks.

J

PS - this has nothing to do with GR. They are NOT one of the manufacturers I referred to in my post.

Danny Richie · « **Reply #24 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 06:34 pm »

Thanks for posting the link Jack,

But if you read through it you will see that in the second paragraph it says, "GR Research is promoting this amp because..."

And in the end it is indorsed with the following, "This Amplifier is the perfect complement to some of the GR Research loudspeaker kits that were designed to work well with low powered tube amps. Highly Recommended!"

All calls and e-mail just get directed to Dodd Audio.

I will get other info on his amps and pre-amps posted to my site for him as well, as soon as I can, and until he has his own web site, which he will have in time.

Then you might likely see a link exchange on our sites, because his products complement ours and ours complement his.

jackman · « **Reply #25 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 06:59 pm »

Danny,

The Dodd gear looks really cool. Please let me know if you know of anyone in Chicago who would be willing to show it to people...or at least me.

Thanks!

Jack

EDS_ · « **Reply #26 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 07:24 pm »

Hi folks:
To add a tad to the conversation.
I was able to listen to the Dodd gear and some of Danny's speakers at Mr. Dodd's home this weekend as well.

First, Danny, thanks for the invite.

To the point at hand. The smaller Dodd pre-amp is an excellent item. At it's price (a few hundred bucks) I know of no serious competition-it sounds really fine-and looks cool as well.

But the mid-level pre-amp ($1,400) IMO is a better deal. I say this because this pre-amp seems to add detail that is simply unheard at this price-point. I know this will sound like drunken-groupie-BS but the mid-level Dodd pre- reminds me very much of my fathers CAT SL-1 (MK-II..I think it's MK-II anyway). The mid-Dodd looks cool and sounds great. It offers zero phoney tube-color (which I hate and can hear instantly) but still sounds like only the best tube gear can-to my ears anyway.

The 50 wpc. Dodd tube amp is greatness as well. The amp offers tube "rightenss" and none of the all too often heard tube BS. No flabby, slow or rolled off bass. Sweet extended highs are there too. As expected the mid-range is pretty much perfect. The amp seems very powerful a little "Rage Against the Machine" proved as much.

I'll chime in with my thoughts re: Danny's speakers later.

As Danny says the bang for the buck offered by the Dodd gear is without par in the world of high end electronics-IMO. Another great benefit to the customer is that Dodd gear is made by Mr. Dodd's hands.

Hantra · « **Reply #27 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 07:36 pm »

Fellas. . . Just so you know, I took my Kora Equinoxe over to a friend's place a couple weeks ago. We did some extended listening. He has a CAT SL-1 Signature, and I preferred the Kora. Of course he liked the CAT better, but even he admitted the difference was slight. That's quite an admission for someone who's out $5,000 for a pre. Anyhow, the Kora can be had for about $900 on the used market.

This comparison was done BEFORE I got the Siemens NOS 6922's too, and my friend won't let me come back over now. They changed it dramatically for the better. . .

No real point here, other than to let you know that the pre I have is a better sounding one than the CAT, so if we're talking about buying a pre that reminds you of the CAT, I may be better off keeping this one.

I am thinking of going passive. I borrowed one, and I think it just peels off a lot of junk. Very cool!!

B

Brad · « **Reply #28 on:** 25 Jun 2003, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: jackman

personal friends/bear-drinking buddies

Geez, Jackman, they grow 'em tough in your neck o' the woods.

I think Frank's post was fine, just as I think Danny's post was fine.

jackman · « **Reply #29 on:** 26 Jun 2003, 12:04 am »

I can't believe I wrote that! I have a new laptop that really sucks. It has a mouse "nipple" button and a mouse pad. My thumbs keep hitting the mouse pad and I wind up erasing or messing with everything I type. I've re-typed soooo many things over the last couple months it's starting to make me batty. Time to go have a bear...er....

J

EDS_ · « **Reply #30 on:** 26 Jun 2003, 12:08 am »

Quote from: Hantra

Fellas. . . Just so you know, I took my Kora Equinoxe over to a friend's place a couple weeks ago. We did some extended listening. He has a CAT SL-1 Signature, and I preferred the Kora. Of course he liked the CAT better, but even he admitted the difference was slight. That's quite an admission for someone who's out $5,000 for a pre. Anyhow, the Kora can be had for about $900 on the used market.

This comparison was done BEFORE I got the Siemens NOS 6922's too, and my friend won't let me come back ...

1. The NOS Siemens 6922's are wonderful. They seem to have a lot of drive and yet they are very easy to listen to-they are near the top of my mini-tube list.

2. I don't know about your friend's rig. But my dad's CAT is freaky tough on other equipment. I think the CAT may have output impedence issues. My dad fooled with his for about a year before he was really happy with it.
IMO-CATs are the best pre-amps available----if one is ready to spend months on set-up and ready for some likely gear turnover-esp. interconnects.

I think Kora gear is fine stuff myself.

Brad · « **Reply #31 on:** 26 Jun 2003, 12:13 am »

J-man,

If you're not using the touchpad, you should be able to turn it off or at least set it to be a less sensitive to "unintentional" touches.

I do the same thing quite a bit - it's frustrating to look up and realize you're typing on a different part of the screen than you intended.

jackman · « **Reply #32 on:** 26 Jun 2003, 12:14 am »

I tried to turn off the pad but my company did not install the softward necessary to do so. Had a couple computer geek friends look at it and confirm. I can't get used to it for the life of me. How can people use these things??

J

CptTripps · « **Reply #33 on:** 29 Jun 2003, 01:22 pm »

Quote from: jackman

How can people use these things??

Short Answer: We don't.

If you also have a trackpad, what I'd do is pull the "eraser" (otherwise referred to as another word for a woman's "Hot Button") off and leave the plastic square exposed. This isn't neerly as easy to hit when you are typing a G or H.

Preamp Question: Ever look at YS Audio? ( http://www.ys-audio.com/ )
I bought the MK-3 off of them and was completely flabbergasted when I plugged it in. For the price, you can't beat them. ( I think they are still going for about $300 on eBay.) The better $799 preamp is suppossed to sound a lot better.

I'd also contemplated going passive but then I got this one and it changed my mind. Hell...Send me an email and I'll let you borrow my MK-3 if you want to see for your self.

drphoto · « **Reply #34 on:** 29 Jun 2003, 06:27 pm »

I'll pitch in to recommend the Odyssey Tempest. Klaus 'gave' me one at the Lima show (I have to be his photo slave boy for a day in exchange)

I never thought I'd want a 'sand' pre....but it is better than the pricey ARC LS-15 I had before (though I do miss that nifty remote) It is just as smooth but has much better detail. And there is no contest with my previous Conrad Johnson PV3. It imaged poorly and despite being tube...sounded somewhat harsh.

I think the Tempest is also more tranparent than my neighbors much moddified Dyna tube pre (don't remember the model)

JMHO..

doc