INTRODUCING GARY DODD'S FIRST BORN

StereoNut · January 10, 2013, 09:31:38 AM

12B4A Variable Gain Pre-amp (V.G.P.) that is!

Gary just e-mailed me pix of his first official 12B4A Production Model Pre-amp (Serial#1) that will soon be MINE!

Like I said to Gary... "If it sounds as good as it looks, I will be one very happy boy!"

I will post listening impressions once I get my Moscode 600 amp back to run my Dodd pre through. George Kaye called me yesterday to tell me it's finally finished. He's just has to e-mail me an invoice and I will mail out his check. Hopefully, the amp will be back in the house some time within the next week or so.

T.B.C.

rollo · January 10, 2013, 10:04:43 AM

Looking good Ollie. Have one with balanced connections coming my way as well.
Would like to compare the 6H30 version to the 12B4A model. One of Dodds customers is sending me one to try with Arions. They like the SS version Arion with this 12B4 pre in balanced mode.
We shall find out.

charles

StereoNut · January 10, 2013, 11:06:42 AM

Charles

We'll have to set something up to compare the two Dodds. I wonder how much they will sound the same or differ from each other.

Right now, I just need to get my Moscode 600 back and listen to it with my current (Naim) pre to get a "baseline" on what the improvements are to my amp, before I introduce the new Dodd V.G.P. pre-amp into my system.

Time will tell!
Bill

topround · January 10, 2013, 02:35:31 PM

So this preamp has Sonicaps and is bypassed with teflon.

djdube525 · January 10, 2013, 03:52:08 PM

Quote from: topround on January 10, 2013, 02:35:31 PM
So this preamp has Sonicaps and is bypassed with teflon.

Looks like Sonicap Platinum bypass caps... Right?

topround · January 10, 2013, 04:26:43 PM

So when do you get it?

If the Moscode is going to take a while, have the preamp shipped to my house, I will burn it in for you

No charge of course

oh..wait it does need a charge

StereoNut · January 10, 2013, 04:31:02 PM

Quote from: djdube525 on January 10, 2013, 03:52:08 PM
Quote from: topround on January 10, 2013, 02:35:31 PM
So this preamp has Sonicaps and is bypassed with teflon.

Looks like Sonicap Platinum bypass caps... Right?

Exactly!

StereoNut · January 10, 2013, 04:32:34 PM

Quote from: topround on January 10, 2013, 04:26:43 PM
So when do you get it?

If the Moscode is going to take a while, have the preamp shipped to my house, I will burn it in for you
No charge of course

oh..wait it does need a charge

Thanks, Mike. You are too kind!

Actually, the Moscode shipped out today too!!!

Next week is gonna be crazy here!

SN

topround · January 10, 2013, 05:57:03 PM

Enjoy

rpf · January 10, 2013, 06:14:25 PM

Very nice, Bill! Look forward to hearing your new system.

Btw, mine has been out of commission; hope to have it back up next week.

StereoNut · January 10, 2013, 07:21:17 PM

Quote from: rpf on January 10, 2013, 06:14:25 PM
Very nice, Bill! Look forward to hearing your new system.

Btw, mine has been out of commission; hope to have it back up next week.

Thanks, Rob!

BTW - What happened to your system?

lonewolfny42 · January 10, 2013, 09:57:44 PM

Nice Bill....good luck !!

StereoNut · January 11, 2013, 05:39:25 AM

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on January 10, 2013, 09:57:44 PM
Nice Bill....good luck !!

Thanks, Wolfie!

StereoNut · January 11, 2013, 05:39:58 AM

Quote from: topround on January 10, 2013, 05:57:03 PM
Enjoy

Thanks, Mike!

rollo · January 11, 2013, 08:59:29 AM

Quote from: StereoNut on January 10, 2013, 04:31:02 PM
Quote from: djdube525 on January 10, 2013, 03:52:08 PM
Quote from: topround on January 10, 2013, 02:35:31 PM
So this preamp has Sonicaps and is bypassed with teflon.

Looks like Sonicap Platinum bypass caps... Right?

Exactly!

For additional money Gary Will install any cap you want. The 6H30 version we have uses Mundorf SIO.
The whole idea of using a battery and charger frankly was new to me. A piece of cake. Battery is charged in a few hours and so far has given me 8 hours of music. The battery has a very small footprint easily hidden for the Wife factor. The Umbilical cord is long enough to keep battery away.
So every night after listening ya grab the clips attach to battery and plug in the charger. Could not be easier.
So far the dynamics of the 6H30 are not what I expected. Its better than expectations.
With only about 50 hours of time tonality is constantly changing. The sound stage as well. The width is VG Depth and height are MIA so far. Bass is really deep but not tight yet. SIO caps in my experience take 400 hours to sound their best. On 5 hours off 5 hours for dielectrics to settle. Gonna take some time.
As of last night I hated it, that's right hated it. Harsh, shouty, hi fi sounding. However just the opposite the day before. Loved it. Oye !!
The break in period sucks but pays off in spades. If one is patient. All to many times has have I've seen my friends give up on a piece before it really breaks in. Or just give it a quick listen. IMO that five minute or 30 second evaluation is self defeating. Gary mentioned that around 50 hours I would absolutely hate it. He was spot on. Today after another 10 hours of play, better. Much better. The top settled a bit, the bass still not tight which is usually the last part to come along.
Time will tell however I think this is a keeper, the jury is still out.

It is educational and interesting to listen at each stage of time. If your lucky you will actually hear the change occur. The sonics will be questionable then all of a sudden it is not, so cool when that happens.

charles