Alfa,

So far, I am very impressed w/the Dodd preamp. It's the quietest tube pre I've ever heard. Jet black backgrounds, and not subject to the EMI/RFI hash that plagues many others in my environment near huge radio tower. It's beautiful and well-constructed. Wish I had the $ to try rolling all the top tubes that I've heard elsewhere and read about.
Honestly, at its asking price, I think it has no real competition. I'm done thinking about preamps for a long time. In my system, the Herron is the only one that comes close. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank August 27, 2008 16:46

I am very interested in the Dodd preamp.

Do you have any additional comments you may wish to share?

I am currently using a Belles 28a Reference with a JLTI phono preamp.

The Belles is silent in its operation and provides excellent sound and features (remote and a HT bypass).

Let me know, I am tempted to try the Dodd

alfa_lover August 26, 2008 23:12

System edited: Added some new photos...

sbank August 17, 2008 17:43

Spencer
Trust me on this one.

I also used Cardas Golden Reference speaker wire and Cardas Neutral Reference interconnects.Exceptional wire,however.
There is definitly something to using more Nordost wire this far up the signal chain. You won't have to go any further with it.

Once I take delivery of my record player and choose a cartridge I'll hit the pavement for some speakers.

Mark

stiltskin April 22, 2008 00:33

Hi Gary,

The Dodd & Herron are very similar in nature, they both pretty much disappear. I don't have very many hours of listening yet on the Dodd, so take my comments w/grain of salt, but so far...
jet black background, very good at dynamic contrasts, good tonality. Soundstage might not be as deep with the Dodd, but definitely as wide with equally good imaging.
The Dodd wins hands down as far as looks; the woodworking is beautiful. The Herron has good fit/finish, but is sort of plain looking, nothing fancy or eyecatching.
If it matters, the Dodd has a nice matching remote that mechanically rotates the volume knob. The Herron has no remote.
I have heard & like the Dehavilland Mercury2, but be sure to check impedance match compatibility before you buy one. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank April 21, 2008 21:15

Mark,

Thanks for your comments and suggestion. I will be happy to try some Nordost if I get a chance. I agree that the Valhalla took quite some time to break in and did sound bright at first, but now I'm really liking the improvment in the tonearm and wiring.
Congrats on your new amp. Curious to hear what speakers you choose. I heard ASR amps in many rooms at CES a few years ago, and they were run w/quite a variety of speakers.
Cheers,
Spencer

sbank April 21, 2008 16:39

Spencer,

I am looking at different preamps and have the Herron VTPH-1 with a 300B Audio Note and saw you sold your Herron 166a and bought the Dodd. Can you share some of the strenghts of the Dodd over the Herron?

My three preamps I am looking at ae the DeHavilland UV 2,Herron 166a and the Dodd.

Thanks,
Gary

glory April 19, 2008 21:08

Hi Spencer,
You have had your Valhalla wired 12.7 in your system for afew months, how do you like it?

I found the bright signature will completely vanish once the wire is burnt in.
The wire also seams to vanish out of way of the signal.

Try this and see what you think.
Borrow a burnt in pair of Nordost interconnects to go to your phonostage.
Either the Frey, Tyr or the Valhalla will do.

Cheers

Mark

stiltskin April 11, 2008 10:06

System edited: Just picked up a Dodd Battery-Powered preamp and sold my Herron VTSP1/166a. After all the RFI/EMI noise issues here, the opportunity to use a battery preamp has much appeal. Upon initial listen, it is very promising. I the the review on 10audio.com is pretty much spot on. The Herron is an amazing preamp, especially in its price range, but I have been wanting to try the Dodd since its introduction, and I figured its a good time to make the move.

sbank April 05, 2008 21:17

Pantherdude,

I did get mine from McMaster-Carr. Seems like brass pricing has increased significantly lately.

sbank February 21, 2008 15:46

System edited: Added two sets of Symposium Rollerblock 2 isolation devices for use under the Vendetta phono stage and the Herron line stage. Thanks to member, Cello for turning me on to these! They bring a noticeable improvement.

sbank January 31, 2008 21:09

it's 1/2" brass Threaded rod & 1.5" Butcher block? where did u find Brass Threaded Rod? It's 2-3 times more than Stainless Steel which is 10 times of the price of Galvanized.

I'm making my own with 5/8-11 48" stainless Steel found on ebay for $15 per rod. Very hard to find in 48" costs $45 from Bradley and unavailable from McMaster-car

pantherdude January 20, 2008 05:31

Spencer

Nice upgrade...let us know how it comes along!

Chad

chadlesko November 30, 2007 02:37

System edited: Just upgraded to a JMW 12.7 tonearm w/Valhalla wiring and adjustable fluid damping. I'm wondering if I should expect a break-in period for the wiring. It sounds great right out of the box, and I've barely begun tweaking VTA, VTF etc. Also have on its way the Hovland Music Groove 2 phono cables, which I'll compare to the Cardas Golden Reference.

sbank November 29, 2007 19:31

System edited: Just picked up an Audience Power Cable to try on the Herron line stage in place of the VH Flavor 2. Initial listening (CD only) reveals a very lively, dynamic sound with perhaps more bottom end emphasis. It really grabs your attention. Will try this cable for next few weeks and then try the VH again to decide what's the best fit.

sbank October 27, 2007 13:26

Hi Sdatch,

It's pretty impressive.
While it's looks are sort of, um...plain, and nothing sexy about it, the sound is hard to knock. It calls little attention to itself. In fact, I have a hard time describing its sonic character. It just seems to quietly get out of the way. I can't say I'm in love just yet, but she's got potential. With most of my listening to it via the Vendetta phono that's still breaking in the new teflon caps, I really shouldn't be judging much for a couple of hundred hours of playing time.
I've used it so far just w/the stock tubes, which Keith swears are the best bet. Most everyone who's rolled, has gone back to the Sovteks, which counters my personal experiences with Sovteks in other applications.
For the price, I think the Herrons are a pretty great value. Fit, finish, and internal build quality all appear first rate.
Come have a listen anytime. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank September 07, 2007 00:00

What are your thoughts on the Herron linestage? Having the monoblocks, I have been pondering a move to one of the matching preamps.

sdatch September 05, 2007 14:59

System edited: Recently received my Vendetta phono stage back from John Curl after updating to latest version including teflon caps. Had to sell the Atma-Sphere MP3, as I couldn't afford to keep everything. Using the Herron line stage with the Vendetta. Still breaking in, but so far very promising. I think I've finally licked the intensive RFI problems that I've been battling for years now. It sucks living next to a radio tower!

sbank September 03, 2007 23:03

Hi Mitch,
I'm listening to the Herron VTSP-1A/166 and the Vendetta Research phono stage. The Monbrison looks very interesting; I've read much about it, but never got a chance to hear any of the Shindo gear. When I heard the LL2 in a friends' rig, it didn't pair very well w/his Classe Omega/Eggleston/Wadia system, but that isn't going to help you much.
I won't be able to attend HE, but many members of the Philly Area Audio Group will be there. You really need to meet them sometime. Best,
Spencer

sbank May 07, 2007 23:56

What other linestages are you trying and what phono pre ? I am considering the Shindo Monbrison. I demoed it my system and it sounded outrageously good. I am also considering a Lamm LL2. Finally are you going to the He Show?

aronsss May 07, 2007 02:09

Hi Ozzy,
Well, the K&K did manage to avoid the RFI troubles that I've been fighting. OTOH, it wasn't that great a fit with the rest of the system, so I sold it(quite easily!). For all the positives written about it, compared to the Joules, CAT and Atma-Sphere, the sound in my system had "little meat on the bones", and was tonally on the dry side.

I'm currently auditioning another phono stage of legendary status and another tube linestage. After I get a better handle on things, I'll post about that. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank April 30, 2007 14:20

Spencer,

What was the outcome with the K&K preamp? If you posted it already, I missed it.

Oz

ozzy62 April 29, 2007 12:49

System edited: Added a VH Flavor 2 w/gold Furutechs to try w/my preamp. We'll see how it sounds...

sbank April 28, 2007 23:24

Stltrains,
Thanks, I built that rack with parts from McMaster-Carr, Audiopoints and maple from perfectplank.com. One of the posts above has the whole parts list. If you pursue and have any questions feel free to email me. Cheers,
Spencer

sbank April 17, 2007 00:21

spencer i love that rack you have, i haven't read all of the posts above so if i am double hitting sorry, looks like a samson clone, where did you get your materials,
BTW super fine system,

stltrains April 16, 2007 19:33