My first impressions of the Dodd Audio ELP

ND13

Well, I've got to start this out with a huge WOW!!! I knew this upgrade was going to be great, but had no idea of just how great.

Let's see, the set-up is as follows:

The Zero modded AMC CD8B thru AQ Copperheads into the ELP thru the Cobalt Ultimates into the AMC 2100 amp thru 14 gauge RS mega cable w/ nanners into the SDA 2Bs. And a JBL E150P sub for a little supplemental low-end, as this rig is in a 450+ sq.ft. room.

The music used were Steely Dan's Greatest, James Taylor's Greatest, Eagle's Greatest, and Floyd's Echoes. I used music that not only had decent SQ, but that I was also very familiar with. Tonight I will be listening to my beloved Led Zeppelin fully remastered box set of the complete studio recordings. This is the music that I'm am so familiar with , I know where all the little nuances are in each song. Of course I can't wait for 6pm to roll around so I can get back to playing with my new toy.

So, I started out with the Philips JAN 6922(blue) that I assume came with the ELP??? I was astonished with the clarity and tight bass. No tone controls would ever need to be used, period, which was surprising to me. But this is where it really gets interesting cause I decided to go ahead and roll. Next I put in the Yugo 6DJ8s, which were my least favorite of the three pairs I had the chance to demo. They in no way were bad, just a little too neutral for my taste. The highs weren't as detailed or crisp and the bass extension, accuracy and punch diminished compared to the Philips Jans, imo.

Now when I put in the Amperex 6DJ8 Bugle Boys, things got "emotional", quite literally. I'm a 38 year old, 6'3" 235lb man, and I'm not embarassed to admit that I was emotionally moved during a few passages, while using these superb sounding, (wait superb just doesn't quite describe what I heard) tubes. Quite frankly, these tubes were like the manufacturer had designed this pair just for my taste. Like they could see into the future and said, hey, let's make these for Noel Driver. Like they had got into my brain and knew exactly what I liked to hear. I couldn't have used the best EQ in the world and got the sound anymore balanced to my preferences, period. The soundstage widened. The imaging was precise. The lows and highs were perfect, and I can't imagine the artists or engineer would have wanted their music reproduced any differently. What really set the Bugle Boys apart, imo, was that they seem to be designed just for music reproduction???? By far the more musical of the three I demoed last night. I have one more set of 7308s that I will try out tonight, but they're not matched. They are both Amperex, but one has green lettering and the other has orange.

Guys and gals, if you have been wavering on whether or not to get tubes in the mix, get off your arse and do so ASAP. While I've been around several tube rigs in my life, this is my first, personally owned, tube gear, and there will be definitely more tubes in my near future.

This purchase was, by far, the best upgrade I've had, so far. The little ELP will not be going anywhere, probably ever. Now back to work for me.

More to come later.

Noel

steveinaz

Great write up Noel, sounds like you're experiencing "audio nirvana." I'm sure sometime in the distant future I'll try a tube pre.

My Energy C-9's and Benchmark DAC got me there.

VR3

Cool! Glad you like it...

But I am going to not read this thread...

Because my sand preamp is fine...FINE I SAY!! *ahhhhh*

madmax

So,
Did you like the sound?
madmax

ND13

madmax wrote:

So,
Did you like the sound?
madmax

Nah!!!

Does anyone want to buy a preamp???

W WALDECKER

nice review but i was wishing that when you got to the part about the amperex bugle boys you would say they sucked and i could offer you some insanely low price to take them off your hands. oh well! good to see folks that are happy with thier new gear.i have a tubed preamp due at my house on monday and it also uses the 6dj8/ecc88/7308/6922 family of twin triode tubes. i hope i enjoy mine as much as you enjoy yours. thanks...........................................

audiobliss

Congrats, man. Glad you like it. Yet another testimony weighing down on me, pressing me to get some tubes.

faster100

Noel, your in for a treat with the 7308's... although the tubes arent a perfect match, they are the same tube structure and close to the same age... both globe tubes.. They sounded exactly alike to me... try em and see, and the bugle boys are a nice tube.. I just love the vintage tubes what can i say

the yugo's came with that pre, The blue jans came from the board here... I bought them brand new, those arent even broke in, after i got the 7308's and others i put them away for safe keeping ...

Have fun brotha!! enjoy

lomic

So the Yugos that come with the ELP aren't so hot? I'm going to be buying a Dodd soon here, so I guess I should start looking for some other tubes as well...

reeltrouble1

I hear you man. Loud and clear.

RT1

ND13

Okay, now that I've had a few days with my new "favorite piece of gear", I can honestly say, other than "maybe" some of my speakers, that this was the best/smartest move that I've made, in terms of audio gear.

One drawback, though, is that it will definitely make you notice poorly recorded music. I'm glad, that I'm fortunate enough, to have enough other gear for that.

A few questions I have for the Bottleheads:

Who can direct me to more tubes that I can get for the ELP? Definitley more Bugle Boys and some 7308s.

What other tubes are compatible with the ELP?

Where can I get an owners manual?

Thanks,

Noel

faster100

The only tubes that i know work are 6922, 6dj8 and 7308.... the 7308's are very expensive.. Those 2 i got separete and paid 60 bucks for,typical pairs matched will run from 100 -200 from what ive seen. the bugle boys will be the same for the most part unless its like a A frame or different year/structure.. My guess... But their are tons of makes and models of those 3 tube models... someone with more experience can chime in as well..

shack

I guess I may be the first here to say that I've enjoyed my ELP and it is a fine piece of gear....BUT....I do not fall into the "Totally blown away better than what I had" category. There were some early issues (similar to Shizelbs) but Gary was great in getting them resolved and I do not believe it has clouded my judgement. I have rolled a couple of tubes (Groove Tubes from Doro and JAN Philips 6922s) and find both to be very enjoyable.

Don't get me wrong...It's not going anywhere. I bought it NOT because I was dissatisfied with what I had, but I wanted to see what the current day "tube sound" was all about.

For reference, I am using it with a Cambridge Audio D500SE CDP, a NAD T572 changer, a NAD C270 amp, SDA 1Cs, with Audioquest Copperheads ICs and Signal Cable Ultra speaker cables. Prior to the ELP I was using a NAD C160 preamp. I have put the NAD back into the mix a couple of times and while it has it's differences, it is as good as the ELP in many ways.

In this particular rig I am probably going to move the NAD pre back in and work to develop a small (maybe all tube) rig with the ELP.

Just a differing point of view...but then again...maybe it's just me. My only real complaint of the ELP is the lack of a remote volume control. I like to put several discs the changer and just kick back for a while. It's nice just to be able to adjust for the difference in sound levels without having to get up go adjust the pre and sit back down only to discover the volume is still not quite right. And no...I'm not just a lazy fat boy...(anyone thinking that is the case is welcome to come play 18 holes of golf in the mountains of East TN carrying a full golf bag in 90°+ heat and high humidity - like I did 3 times this weekend). I just like to sit for a while and enjoy the tunes which is another reason I have changers.

I don't intend this to knock the ELP at all, I do like it. This may be more of a testimonial for the NAD and the fact that I really like it's sound.

ND13

Shack,

I'm with you on the remote thing myself. I usually have to listen late at night and having to get up to control the volume when the next passage is a louder song is a pain. I have been conteplating moving the pre to the end table by my recliner, but that requires an extremely long IC, and I just have to think that would affect the performance somewhat. The only other issue is the volume control's increments are a little too large, meaning the difference between say 2 notches and three is several dbs. That makes for not getting the volume level just right for nighttime listening if you know what I mean.

reeltrouble1

Shack,

Look lazy boy , we can go four rounds, no water, kool laid, gatoraid, no nothing till the turns, as long as your buying and giving me two a hole. :cool: Used to walk that uphill bothways in the snow and ice, ever try to hit a ball uphill on ice. :mad: Had to pound a tee in the ground with a hammer. Oh yea and if your playing that much I am not buying your a nine, more like a 5, so maybe you give me three 1-5 HC holes, yea, that sounds good.

Humidity, hell you want humidity, Bring it here to Ga, man we got humidity that makes Dry Ice leak like a squashed sponge. Sears quit selling dehumidifiers cuz that wont work here.

Dont think Big Daddy can get around huh!! I see you smirking.

The ELP is entry level. Sell it then, turn loose of the cash you made "sandbagging" the out of towners and get your butt a MLP with a volume remote. You know I Love NAD and still have and use their gear, but the Dodd ELP beats my ole NAD 1130 pre, yours is newer so I could see it doing a fine job or maybe your ears are clogged up with salt sweat. :eek:

RT1

ND13

lomic wrote:

So the Yugos that come with the ELP aren't so hot? I'm going to be buying a Dodd soon here, so I guess I should start looking for some other tubes as well...

I wouldn't say the Yugos were bad at all, just more neutral than "I" like. You may like a more neutral sound than me, so when your ELP comes in, you need to make that decision yourself. As I'm not going to be responsible for you going out and spending a bunch on tubes .

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have.

reeltrouble1

I thought the Dodd shipped with some of kind of Chinese tube? At least Gary Dodd told me it did. Maybe he gave the Polk guys a little better tube??

RT1

ND13

reeltrouble1 wrote:

I thought the Dodd shipped with some of kind of Chinese tube? At least Gary Dodd told me it did. Maybe he gave the Polk guys a little better tube??

RT1

Me not know ansa???? Me confused now???

lomic

In regards to the volume thing on the ELP: If I'm running analog from the Source into my AVR's 6ch direct, then from the AVR's pre-outs into the ELP, and ELP into the amplifier - is there any problem adjusting the volume through the AVR? Just seems like an easy solution so wondering why several people don't seem to be considering it.

I understand it adds another device to the chain, but for the convenience I think I can handle what little signal influence the 6ch Direct connection might have.

reeltrouble1

lomic wrote:

In regards to the volume thing on the ELP: If I'm running analog from the Source into my AVR's 6ch direct, then from the AVR's pre-outs into the ELP, and ELP into the amplifier - is there any problem adjusting the volume through the AVR? Just seems like an easy solution so wondering why several people don't seem to be considering it.

I understand it adds another device to the chain, but for the convenience I think I can handle what little signal influence the 6ch Direct connection might have.

OK, I read this an hour ago and am done cussing. Going to give you some slack since your up at 4:30 am. Another vampire or you have a monster commute. Besides you asked question wanting to know.

First off the Dodd is a 2 ch piece not 6 ch, so what are you talking about running source to 6ch at the AVR then back to 2 ch????

Second--Look, Audio Enthusiasts spend thousands for the cleanest signal path they can get. Their are folks here who will not use a remote just because that little tiny motor can disrupt the signal. Using your AVR direct is not a true pass through and will put its sonic signature on the signal dispite not doing any DSP. Your right if this simple thing would work then Shack would of done just that.

RT1

ND13

reeltrouble1 wrote:

OK, I read this an hour ago and am done cussing. Going to give you some slack since your up at 4:30 am. Another vampire or you have a monster commute. Besides you asked question wanting to know.

First off the Dodd is a 2 ch piece not 6 ch, so what are you talking about running source to 6ch at the AVR then back to 2 ch????

Second--Look, Audio Enthusiasts spend thousands for the cleanest signal path they can get. Their are folks here who will not use a remote just because that little tiny motor can disrupt the signal. Using your AVR direct is not a true pass through and will put its sonic signature on the signal dispite not doing any DSP. Your right if this simple thing would work then Shack would of done just that.

RT1

Yeah, I even have a couple of nice HK 2channel receivers, that I like the sound signature of, that I could use for that purpose, but I won't for the very reason that RT1 just posted. I would rather have a little inconvenience than alter the sound that I get from the ELP. Plus I think that you'd be using the volume control on the Dodd if you were to go into the receivers pre-outs, wouldn't you?? If you didn't, what would be the reason for utilizing the pre-outs, if not to use the pre-amp????? Just seems logical to me.

dragon1952

I, for one, have never had a problem with having to get up to adjust the sound :cool:
Also, I've heard people mention their ELP's volume pot uses 'steps'. Mine does not. If that is a bother, which it probably would be for me, maybe you can send it back and have a different control installed.

ND13

dragon1952 wrote:

I, for one, have never had a problem with having to get up to adjust the sound :cool:
Also, I've heard people mention their ELP's volume pot uses 'steps'. Mine does not. If that is a bother, which it probably would be for me, maybe you can send it back and have a different control installed.

Yes, mine has steps, and that is a small isuue, especially during late night sessions. The increments are a few dbs apart from what I can tell. Like the difference between, say the 3rd and 4th notches, seems to be several dbs.
I wonder how much Gary would charge to swap them out.

lomic

reeltrouble1 wrote:

OK, I read this an hour ago and am done cussing. Going to give you some slack since your up at 4:30 am. Another vampire or you have a monster commute. Besides you asked question wanting to know.

First off the Dodd is a 2 ch piece not 6 ch, so what are you talking about running source to 6ch at the AVR then back to 2 ch????

Second--Look, Audio Enthusiasts spend thousands for the cleanest signal path they can get. Their are folks here who will not use a remote just because that little tiny motor can disrupt the signal. Using your AVR direct is not a true pass through and will put its sonic signature on the signal dispite not doing any DSP. Your right if this simple thing would work then Shack would of done just that.

RT1

6ch Direct, because as you said it's the most direct signal through the HK without any DSP being used. I already have 6 analogs running the route, so I'd just split off the L/R through the ELP before going to the amp. I actually use the 6ch Direct analog for everything instead of using the Denon coax or toslink. I'm a little surprised at your alarm, as I was told in another thread I should ask for an HT Pass on my ELP to do just this so I could disable the tube section while watching movies - unless I totally misunderstand the idea of an HT Pass.

I know there are those who are so hardcore that a volume knob destroys their system - however I'm running an all-in-one HT/music rig and I'm getting an ELP to add some life to my music without having to totally re-work my system stetup. I'll report back on how it works

dragon1952

ND13 wrote:

Yes, mine has steps, and that is a small isuue, especially during late night sessions. The increments are a few dbs apart from what I can tell. Like the difference between, say the 3rd and 4th notches, seems to be several dbs.
I wonder how much Gary would charge to swap them out.

I don't know. I thought that was strange when I compared yours (Faster100's) to the picture on the Dodd Audio website. That was before mine arrived. I was happy to find that mine looked exactly like the one on the website. Here's a comparison. I like the knobs on mine much better.

reeltrouble1

Iomic,

I will e-mail you, this is getting mucked up a bit, but what you are suggesting is different than a HT pass.

RT1

reeltrouble1

I like the stepped knob, but its such a little thing.

RT1

organ

Excellent write up, Noel. Glad to hear you're diggin the tubes. I agree, tubes bring out the emotions in music a lot better than SS. Enjoy the new pre.

Maurice

ND13

organ wrote:

Excellent write up, Noel. Glad to hear you're diggin the tubes. I agree, tubes bring out the emotions in music a lot better than SS. Enjoy the new pre.

Maurice

Thanks, it just gets better every night :cool: , which it is right now, so I'm heading home to get my listen on. Just picked up a few cds last night that need to be heard. I'm still replacing a bunch(385) cds that were stolen from me a few years ago :mad: . So when I see one in good shape, I pick it up.

organ

Damn that's a lot of CD's you got stolen. Sorry to hear that man. I love listening to Eagles and Queen on tubes.

Maurice

lomic

These Bugle Boys look ok, or should they specifically be a matched pair?

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?accstube&1129740531

Obviously if they're good someone might swipe them before me, but thanks for replying anyway