looking to upgrade dodd elp

marvda1
marvda1 Posts: 4,901
edited September 2006 in 2 Channel Audio
owners of the dodd audio entry level preamp, what level of preamps(make,model) would i have to look at to better the performance of the elp?
thanks
Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
Puritan PSM156
Post edited by marvda1 on
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Comments

  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited August 2006
    its not going to be easy, and your looking at an investment.
    I bought a modded Anthem Pre2l from Doro and it was an improvement, but not by that much. I picked it up because I liked it since I laid eyes on it at last years Polkfest.

    I would say your looking at lease 600 in the used market, and you can spend that much and not get a better pre. In terms of what to look for, wait for some more experienced gents pop in here. but take your time and choose wisely, that Dodd ELP is a great little pre and upgrading it without crushing your budget will take time.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited August 2006
    The MLP would be an upgrade.
    Check out the tubes being used as well. Different family of tubes have different sound signatures. I really enjoy the 6DJ8/6922/7308 tubes in the pre. So like Ohskigod said, spending more won't get you better sound sometimes.
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited August 2006
    Maurice is right on the money. Different tube families have different sound signatures.
    I like the 6DJ8/6922/7308 base pre, too. They tend to be very neutral and less coloration.
    My AI L1 and GTA SEP-1 both fall into this category. If things go as planned, the Jolida will be replaced by a 6922 based CDP. I am obsessive with the 6922 tubes!!!

    -fredv-
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2006
    fredv wrote:
    Maurice is right on the money. Different tube families have different sound signatures.
    I like the 6DJ8/6922/7308 base pre, too. They tend to be very neutral and less coloration.
    My AI L1 and GTA SEP-1 both fall into this category. If things go as planned, the Jolida will be replaced by a 6922 based CDP. I am obsessive with the 6922 tubes!!!

    Same here, I've got about 30 or so different 6DJ8 variants and the majority are NOS Amperex. Try out some different tubes first. You might just think you bought a better/different pre.
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited August 2006
    soundwise, what other preamps have you compared the dodd elp to and what were the results?
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2006
    MLP---deeper extension, smoother top end, has a very nice bandwith.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited August 2006
    it's probally just as hard to get someone to sell a mlp or rlp as it is to get them to sell the elp.
    reeltrouble1, unless you want to sell yours?
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited August 2006
    my elp is one of six (i believe, will have to ask gary) that he re-designed with outboard transformer, power supply chokes. i also had mine equiped with sonicap platinum bypass caps by gary. is there anyone who has heard and compared this upgraded unit to the original elp and if so what were the sonic differences?
    marvin
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2006
    I have seen some MLP's on the Gon. they come up here occasionally.

    Dont know where Waldecker has been but he was really high on his BAT tubed pre which is a company I am most interested in. I am pretty much in the go large or not at all gang now and have been jonesing over the BAT51SE. If you have a BAT dealer near you take a listen, the Cary gear is also quite exceptional and would certainly be on my "list".

    RT1
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  • univera
    univera Posts: 848
    edited September 2006
    In regards to tube amps/pre-amps and tubed cd players, does it make natural sense to "keep it in the family," so to speak, in regards to using gear that is designed using certain tube families? If I understand correctly, a Jolida, for example, requires a certain family of tubes? (FredV mentions wanting to get a player to replace his Jolida so that he can get one with the 6922 family of tubes.)
    UNIVERA
    Historic Charleston SC

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    SDA-SRS's RDO tweets
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    Anthem Pre 2L w/E.harmonix platinum matched 6H23's
    CDP- NAD C 542


    HT setup:
    AVR: NAD T 773
    Rears: Polk LC80i
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    Subs: Velodyne and M&K
    T.V.: Sony KDL-52XBR4 w/Vans Evers Clean Line Jr.
    Conditioner: Panamax M5100EX

    Master Bedroom Sony 40KDL-XBR3

    "I love it when a plan comes together." Hannibal Smith, The A-Team
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited September 2006
    univera wrote:
    FredV mentions wanting to get a player to replace his Jolida so that he can get one with the 6922 family of tubes.
    It is sad that the deal fell through.

    I was in Hong Kong last March and auditioned the Cayin CDT-17A. I was very
    impressed. It costed about 850, but there was no 110-120V in stock.
    My friend in Hong Kong told me that he would try to get me one. Last week, my friend told me that the manufacturer wouldn't sell the 110-120V as they wanted to protected the importers in this market. He still can get me
    the 220-240V for the same prcie, but I am somewhat skeptical of using a step down transformer......

    -fredv-
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
    edited September 2006
    fredv wrote:
    He still can get me
    the 220-240V for the same prcie, but I am somewhat skeptical of using a step down transformer......
    Can't you use a dedicated 220V outlet / line from your house's electrical panel box?
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited September 2006
    Let me know if you're planning on getting rid of the elp. I might just be in the market for one soon ;) (trying to step into tubes with a preamp upgrade)
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited September 2006
    Halo wrote:
    Can't you use a dedicated 220V outlet / line from your house's electrical panel box?
    Yeah, but I will have to hire an electrician, I am not this kind of handyman ....
    Maurice probably can shed some light his experience with his 220V Original
    + transformer.

    -fredv-
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,497
    edited September 2006
    fredv wrote:
    Yeah, but I will have to hire an electrician, I am not this kind of handyman ....

    No guts, No glory.....:D
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • seo
    seo Posts: 305
    edited September 2006
    marvda1 wrote:
    it's probally just as hard to get someone to sell a mlp or rlp as it is to get them to sell the elp.
    reeltrouble1, unless you want to sell yours?


    Dodd Reference preamp on the 'gon right now for $1800

    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatube&1161793525
    Signature goes here
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited September 2006
    I replaced my Dodd elp with a Transcendent SS pre. It was better (faster, better seperation), but not that much better.

    If you've got the money, the Dodd on the 'gon is tempting.
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited September 2006
    SCompRacer wrote:
    No guts, No glory.....:D
    Don't you want to see me posting in the future ;)

    -fredv-
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited September 2006
    Dodd reference Pre using the 6SN7 tube not the 6DJ8 tube, that seems to be looked here in a high regards. The Cary 98L Pre which is on my short list, using the 6SN7 tube why if the 6DJ8 is that good? Just different sound or something else I not seeing?

    Speakers
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  • fredv
    fredv Posts: 923
    edited September 2006
    I think the circuitry design specific to a particular tube gives the amp's sonic signature. I am sure many none 6922 pre's sound just superb. I just happened
    to have a 6922 pre that sounds better than the 12AX7 and the 17AU7 amps,
    but then their original retail prices were very different as well. If my memory
    serves me right, the 6DJ8/6922 were designed for radio/TV uses rather than
    audio, but with a good circuitry design (and quality parts), probably any tubes
    can sound good.

    The Cayin was the first tube CDP that I could auditioned for a period of time, and the
    amp's (Cayin) and speakers (don't remember the brand, they were Italian
    monitors) were also very different from what I have. I actually purchased the
    Jolida after I came back from Hong Kong. So, I really can't say for sure that
    the Cayin is better than the Jolida. It is one of those cases that the first
    experience was so good that it exceeds what it actually is in the memory.
    Like 25 year ago, I thought my significant other was god sent... That lasted
    for a few years ..... Don't ask me what I think now :D

    -fredv-
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2006
    Well the Dodd sold, it was underpriced so I am not suprised it went quickly. Maybe a member picked up this on a good deal.

    RT1
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