FS: Dodd Audio custom ELP preamp

IronLion · « **on:** 22 Apr 2008, 04:00 pm »

I currently own a Dodd ELP that has been modified by Gary Dodd within the past two months and is probably the best sounding ELP in existence. I got it off Audiogon about 6 months ago (I am second owner) and there was a problem with it, so I sent it to Gary and he figured out it was the volume pot, so he replaced the faulty Noble pot with the same ALPS custom pot he uses in his reference-level battery preamp. The preamp worked fine for a little while, then the sound started to cut out intermittently, and I figured out it was the power umbilical (only an option on the later versions of the ELP) which was sometimes losing contact due to wear. So, I sent it back to Gary and he sends me back the ELP with a completely custom job, a completely external power supply that is only connected to the ELP by a power umbilical.

So, now you plug the IEC cable into the external box, all the noisy AC/DC conversion takes place there (as I understand it), and then is sent to the tubes and output via the umbilical (see photos below). So basically the noisiest part of any preamp is kept completely external, and Gary himself told me in emails that the quietness of this customized ELP approaches that of his reference-level battery preamp, which says a lot. Also, I had Gary add another set of outputs to the preamp, so you can run a powered subwoofer or another amp from it.

The weird thing is, I've never gotten this customized ELP to work in my system without humming. It must be a ground loop of some kind or some sort of power related issue in my system, but my system hums when its connected to my power amps. I thought maybe it had gotten damaged in shipping, so I sent it back to Gary a few weeks ago, and he tested it in his system and two of his friend's systems, and in all three he said the ELP was exceptionally quiet (again, approaching the level of quietness of his battery pre), no problems with hum at all. I am in the process of simplifying my system and will run my new Transporter directly into my amps, so with that in mind I'm sort of giving up on solving my power issues and selling the ELP. It is in very good condition with some hairline scratches on the mirror finish front and a small nick on the input selector knob. I am asking $475 for the preamp plus 3% for Paypal fees. The cost of insured ground shipping will be covered by me. I think this is a fair asking price considering the ELP is no longer made and was a great sounding preamp to begin with, and the mods that Gary has done to it which cost me over $200 should take it a significant step further. The ELP will ship with the tubes it came with, Amperex orange globe 7308's which still have plenty of life left in them. Oh, and sorry, but the Herbie's tube dampers are not included.

EDIT: I have 100% feedback on Headfi (IronLion) and eBay (mah947).

doug s. · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Apr 2008, 04:20 pm »

i know that's a killer preamp, as i know it's based upon the melos sha-gold-r. i would recommend you try using a cheater plug, either on your amps, or on the pre, (or on the source?), before putting this up f/s. i would wager that your transporter would sound better run thru this pre than run direct...

doug s.

IronLion · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Apr 2008, 04:22 pm »

Thanks for the suggestion Doug but I've tried the cheater plug and for whatever reason I can't seem to get it to work without humming. Admittedly though I haven't tried it in the system since the Transporter arrived and I won't be able to for another two weeks as I had to send it back for a quick fix...hmmm...

dangerbird · « **Reply #3 on:** 1 May 2008, 09:51 am »

As a last resort, you can contact Gary Dodd,,my brother had one(elp) and for some reason it had a hum that we could not eliminate,,,sent it to Gary,,he sent it back with a small external PS,,,no hum,,I've got one(stock) ELP and I do not have any hum issues. Good luck.

bunky · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 May 2008, 08:44 pm »

The ELP is considered a giant Killer preamp.One that you may really want to consider holding on to

good luck....WCW III

IronLion · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 May 2008, 10:17 pm »

Bump- this preamp is back up for sale.

Ken D · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 May 2008, 10:41 pm »

sent you PM. - Ken

IronLion · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 May 2008, 01:46 pm »

monday ^

IronLion · « **Reply #8 on:** 13 May 2008, 09:01 pm »

tuesday ^

IronLion · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Jun 2008, 02:21 pm »

^

Audiogon Ad:

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1217091036

IronLion · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jun 2008, 04:26 pm »

bumperoo

IronLion · « **Reply #11 on:** 23 Jun 2008, 07:46 pm »

birthday bump and price drop