Hey Spence, I have a bunch of 7308s including Amperex, and while these were my personal "best" in other preamps and gear, the two I mention above are considerably better in the Dodd. Go figure!

Shadorne, good call! It is absolutely from Keb. Heard it first in the Tin Cup flic, and have been following Keb ever since then, trying to not miss any of his shows here in Chitown. Thought it would be an ideal title....and quite true in an audio sense..;)

Funny thing is that I own a Canon 30D dSLR with a few choice pieces of L glass. Just a slacker I guess! I gotta get on it, I know!

1markr May 02, 2008 22:30

Hey Spence, haven't spent too much time on Agon lately, so I missed your post 'til now. Wish it was because I've been listening too much to my system, but unfortunately that is not the case. Workload and quite a bit of business travel have limited my listening time. Might be time to get an iPod for the road!

Congrats on the Dodd preamp. It is wonderful! The best tubes that I have used on my Dodd are the white label US made Amperex 6922 PQs and the Amperex white label Bugle Boy 6DJ8s. Funny thing about the latter... I never liked them in any preamp until I put them in the Dodd. What tubes have you been using?

I've added a pair of Martin Logan Depth i subs shortly after Christmas, and they have done a great job in keeping up with the Andra Is, are very musical, and get me the bass I was looking for (not too mention that they are a nice add for my integrated HT). They won't pound your chest like the Fathoms or the Velodynes, but they do get me flat to 20 Hz, and they blend seamlessly to a point that I do not hear that they are there. And yes, my system has never sounded better too!

1markr April 26, 2008 12:01

Pat, I wouldn't say "out" of the scene, just a little quiet, that's all. The Art Audio Quartets are fantastic, and I enjoy them every time they are fired up. And that awesome glow of the 845s! Can't beat it. I still think the Dodds are great amps, and a steal for what they go for. I would have kept mine if I could afford both. But the Qs, well, they took me to a whole new level.

Art, the Fusion Audio cables on the front end, and the DCCA power cables on the Quartets are a devastatingly good combination. They synergize incredibly well, and build on each other's strengths. Great match, great balance, imo. I'm just working with subs now to seemlessly get the lowest octaves out of my system. That is the only limitation with the Andra Is (but then, what did I expect running 86 dB speakers with 50 wpc tube amps??!!). Good times indeed my friend!

Thanks for the comments guys!

1markr January 24, 2008 22:16

System edited: Added the wonderfully musical DCCA Audio Reference Masters to power my Art Audio Quartet tube amps. Moved the DCCA PowerWave 2s to power my recently acquired Martin Logan Depth i subwoofers (arghh! of which one arrived DOA!).

1markr January 20, 2008 16:25

Warning....somewhat LONG! Continue at your own risk...

It's been a long time since I had a chance to describe the changes in my ever evolving system, so here they are as they happened over the last 6 months or so...btw, this is not meant to be a review of any single component, just a synopsis of my path to a potential audio nirvana.

Disclaimer: These are just my opinions in the context of my own system, so take them with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary, etc. etc. I only listen to the best components, so any listed here as auditioned, or previously-owned, still warrant further investigation in the context of your own system; our systems, rooms, ears, preferences and WAF vary significantly. That being said, the current iteration of my system is the most pleasing, natural, and "real" for me, to date.

Eggleston Andra I speakers. Replaced my Andra II speakers with these, and have since owned Blue Heron II speakers. The Andra Is are a clear winner for me. It must be something to the properly slanted baffle (time alignment) and a crossover-less midrange. I have never heard coherence and speed in my system like I do now; some of this has to be attributed to the Andra Is. However, yes there is always a "but", I am seriously shy in the bass area. The Is are very difficult to drive below 50 Hz, and I refuse to go back to SS amps. Can you say "subwoofer” perhaps??

I have changed my interconnects and speaker cables to the new Synergistic Research Tesla series of cables (see my system above for the mix of cables I’m using). They were a significant upgrade and while I don't normally subscribe to “hype", they are every bit as good as various posters here describe.

Swapped out the standard Modwright power supply (for my Modwright (Bon-Mods) 9000ES) with a tube rectified power supply from Dan, and swapped out the Auricaps with Mundorf Silver / Oil caps in the cdp. Gains in soundstage width, depth and holographic field were attained, as well as improved palpability and naturalness.

A Dodd Battery preamp replaced an older Modwright preamp, as well as a slew of other great preamps preceeding it. No more preamps for this guy (for now... ;). I can't think of any shortfalls that this "off the AC grid" preamp has. it serves the music in my system as "right" as it can be; black background, dynamic as all heck, detailed but not bright, I've tried multiple times to go "preamp-less", including in the latest interation of my system, but I always go back to a preamp. No different with the Dodd Battery preamp in place. I don't care if it is adding something or not, the end result justifies the means (keeping it in place), and it synergizes extremely well with everything in my system. ‘nuff said.

I have been extremely happy with my Dodd 120 tube monoblock amplifiers (w/ Sonicap Platinum upgrade, HiFi Tuning fuses, SED Winged C EL34s). They drove my Andra IIs very well, with bass that was tight and controlled, better than any tube amp I heard in recent history. But with the change to Andra Is, they would no longer drive the bass, but then, I have also owned the VAC Musicbloc 160s, the Moscode 401HR SS amp, and the Art Audio Quartets. NONE of these would drive the bass on the Andra Is. The Dodds and the Quartets are the fave of mine out of all of these, and the competition is incredibly tight between these two fine tube amps (much more than the diff in retail pricing would dictate: $15k vs. $5.5k). But alas, the Quartets, with their 845s, Class A biasing (auto-biasing for that matter), and the zero feedback setting, are downright intoxicating, and at 50wpc, sound a bunch more powerful than that, and drive the Andras (60Hz on up) flawlessly, coherently, with excellent "slam" and with unbelievable liquidity (whoa, and what a midrange!). The Dodds do a tremendous job too, but the Quartets are another level up, as one would really expect. If they only did bass on the Andras! But, the fact that Dodds are even mentioned in the same breath as the Quartets should tell you something though!

Lastly, just as important as anything above, let's talk power cords. No secret that I'm a big fan of Don's DCCA power cords, and am still using the same power cords (PowerWave IIs) on my amps since I bought them last year or so ago. Amazing power cords for the $$ and highly recommended, especially given the trial period that Don offers.

Another impressive recent discovery....Fusion Audio power cords. Eric focuses on power cords made from proprietary blends of silver and copper foils, ample amounts of shielding (RF and EMI rejection), along with cryo'ed Wattgate or Oyaide connectors. Very light, very flexible, very well made, but these are no lightweights when it comes to their sonic performance. Power cables don't make a difference?? Ha!! I put the Impulse on the Modwright tube rectified power supply, and an Enchanter (for higher power apps) on my PS Audio power conditioner. They are staying there! Why? On these components, to my ears, they beat out the highly rated Purist Audio Dominus (ferrox), Ridge Street Poiema III and Alethis, the Virtual Dynamics Nite II and Master, and various older Electraglide power cords. Those are some top notch competitors folks!

Don't take my word for it, let Eric from Fusion Audio and Don from DCCA Audio set you up with some trial cords and decide for yourself. I have no ties to either, just a satisfied customer. Commercial over and out.

So what's next for me? I'd love to stick this system in the "DONE" file, but alas, the lack of lower octaves is preventing that. I love how everything else in my current system has manifested itself into a cohesive whole, so I doubt there will be any significant changes to the above. Experimentation will be in order, e.g. a JL Audio F113 subwoofer, and who knows what else.

And Jmcgrogan2, there is absolutely nothing wrong with finally "feeling satisfied" and I am certainly envious! Well, I am an octave or two away from joining you pardner; it's been a long bumpy ride.

1markr September 19, 2007 15:25

Sorry about that...I will have to reformat the previous post.

1markr September 19, 2007 15:09

System edited: Warning....somewhat LONG! Continue at your own risk... It's been a long time since I had a chance to describe the changes in my ever evolving system, so here they are as they happened over the last 6 months or so...btw, this is not meant to be a review of any single component, just a synopsis of my path to a potential audio nirvana. Disclaimer: These are just my opinions in the context of my own system, so take them with a grain of salt, your mileage may vary, etc. etc. I only listen to the best components, so any listed here as auditioned, or previously-owned, still warrant further investigation in the context of your own system; our systems, rooms, ears, preferences and WAF vary significantly. That being said, the current iteration of my system is the most pleasing, natural, and "real" for me, to date. Eggleston Andra I speakers. Replaced my Andra II speakers with these, and have since owned the now defunct Meadowlark Blue Heron II speakers. The Andra Is are a clear winner for me. Must be something to the properly slanted baffle (time alignment) and a crossoverless midrange. I have never heard coherence and speed in my system like I do now; some of this has to be attributed to the Andra Is. However, yes, there is always a "but", I am seriously shy in the bass area. The Is are very difficult to drive below 50 Hz, and I absolutely refuse to go back to SS amps. Can you say "subwoofer" perhaps?? I have changed my interconnects and speaker cables to the new Synergistic Research Tesla series of cables (see my system above for the mix of cables I'm using). They were a significant upgrade, and while I don't normally subscribe to "hype", they are every bit as good as various posters here describe. Swapped out the standard Modwright power supply (for my Modwright (Bon-Mods) 9000ES) with a tube rectified power supply from Dan, and swapped out the Auricaps with Mundorf Silver / Oil caps in the cdp. Gains in soundstage width, depth and holographic field were attained, as well as improved palpability and naturalness. A Dodd Battery preamp replaced an older Modwright preamp, as well as a slew of other great preamps preceeding it. No more preamps for this guy (for now...;). I can't think of any shortfalls that this "off the AC grid" preamp has. It serves the music in my system as "right" as it can be; black background, dynamic as all heck, detailed but not bright, I've tried multiple times to go "preamp-less", including in the latest interation of my system, but I always go back to a preamp. No different with the Dodd Battery preamp in place. I don't care if it is adding something or not, the end result justifies the means (keeping it in place), and it synergizes extremely well with everything in my system. 'nuff said. I have been extremely happy with my Dodd 120 tube monoblock amplifiers (w/ Sonicap Platinum upgrade, HiFi Tuning fuses, SED Winged C El34s). They drove my Andra IIs very well, with bass that was tight and controlled, better than any tube amp I heard in recent history, and as good as many SS amps. But with the change to Andra Is, they would no longer drive the bass, but then, I have also owned the VAC Musicbloc 160s, the Moscode 401HR SS amp, and the Art Audio Quartets. NONE of these would drive the bass on the Andra Is. The Dodds and the Quartets are the fave of mine out of all of these, and the competition is incredibly tight between these two fine tube amps (much more than the diff in retail pricing would dictate: $15k vs. $5.5k). But alas, the Quartets, with their 845s, Class A biasing (auto-biasing for that matter), and the zero feedback setting, are downright intoxicating, and at 50wpc, sound a bunch more powerful than that, and drive the Andras (60Hz on up) flawlessly, coherently, with excellent "slam" and with unbelievable liquidity (whoa, and what a midrange!). The Dodds do a tremendous job too, but the Quartets are another level up, as one would really expect. If they only did bass on the Andra Is! The fact that Dodds are even mentioned in the same breath as the Quartets should tell you something though (not to mention that I like them better than the Vacs and Moscode too)! Lastly, but just as important as anything above, let's talk power cords. No secret that I'm a big fan of Don's DCCA power cords, and am still using the same power cords (PowerWave IIs) on my amps since I bought them last year or so ago. Amazing power cords for the $$ and highly recommended, especially given the trial period that Don offers. Another impressive recent discovery....Fusion Audio power cords. Eric focuses on making power cords from a proprietary blends of silver and copper foils, ample amounts of shielding (RF and EMI rejection), along with cryo'ed Wattgate or Oyaide connectors. Very light, very flexible, very well made, but these are no lightweights when it comes to their sonic performance. Power cables don't make a difference?? Ha!! I put the Impulse on the Modwright tube rectified power supply, and an Enchanter (for higher power apps) on my PS Audio power conditioner. They are staying there! Why? On these components, to my ears, they bested the highly rated Purist Audio Dominus (ferrox), Ridge Street Poiema III and Alethis, the Virtual Dynamics Nite II and Master, and various older Electraglide power cords. Those are some top notch competitors folks! Don't take my word for it, let Eric from Fusion Audio and Don from DCCA Audio set you up with some trial cords and decide for yourself. I have no ties to either, just a satisfied customer. Commercial over and out. So what's next for me? I'd love to stick this system in the "DONE" file, but alas, the lack of lower octaves is preventing that. I love how everything else in my current system has manifested itself into a synergy-packed cohesive whole, so I doubt there will be any significant changes to the above. Experimentation will be in order, e.g. a JL Audio F113 subwoofer, and who knows what else. And Jmcgrogan2, there is absolutely nothing wrong with finally "feeling satisfied" and I am certainly envious! Well, I am an octave or two away from joining you pardner; it's been a long bumpy ride.

1markr September 19, 2007 15:05

System edited: Getting extremely close to posting my system in the "Done for Now" category. Everything is clicking into place with the latest addition of my awesome Dodd Battery-powered preamp. Sonically, the system is better than anything I've had ever put together thus far and is extremely musically satisfying! Talk about major synergies at work here...

1markr November 17, 2006 17:50

Hi WDI,

I thought the deHavilland UV preamp that I owned was an excellent preamp. I think of it as being voiced on the warmer side of things, and it is definately has a tubier flavor than the Modwright, an excellent performer in it's own right.

It was close, but I ended up keeping the Modwright since it synergized with my system a little better, and got me closer to my goals of an airer, faster presentation. Not that the UV couldn't do it, but the MW did it a little more, and it balanced out an already warm system.

I do have a Dodd battery preamp coming soon, so I will see what battery power will do for the sonics in my system, especially in terms of soundstaging, noise, and dynamics.

1markr July 31, 2006 16:16

System edited: Playing with room treatments (bass traps and diffusors) and changed speaker cables.

1markr February 12, 2006 10:29

System edited: Some minor changes in my ever evolving system.

1markr February 03, 2006 14:19

Hi Chris, yes, the Speltz speaker cables are still holding their own in the system. They do many things right. I do have the Speltz ICs, and use them on my HT. I prefer the AQ Diamond X3 on my two channel setup. The Speltz ICs are very good for the low $$ spent.

1markr January 21, 2006 01:02

Hey Spencer, I feel the "interesting" journey coming to an end, hopefully sooner than later. I'm very close. The current system is the finest that I've had in my house, and it's close to the end state of where I want to be. This system has gotten me closer to being "one with the music" than any previous iteration I've run. Obviously, I have learned much over the course of this travel.

The Berning / Merlin combo was about a year and a half ago, so it's a fuzzy memory by now. Neither UltraVerve nor the Modwright preamp (I just got the SWL 9.0 SE last month) were played in that combination. The Berning was shortly replaced by Joule OTL monoblocks, which I preferred.

I didn't play with a whole lot of power cords at the time of the Berning, so I can't tell you what worked best. I remember the Berning having a "hardness" in the sound that I couldn't tame by moderate tube rolling and limited access to powercords.

1markr January 20, 2006 12:34

System edited: Added a Modwright preamp and Modwright 9000ES.

1markr January 04, 2006 13:56

It has improved quite a bit since last time you heard it Bon, thanks to some of your suggestions, and following in your footsteps. I have some tweaking to do, like putting on quality Vampire RCAs on my Modwright and re-wiring it with Jena Labs cryo'ed copper cable. I might be a cable or two away (pc or IC?) from my system goals, and if I can find a VK-500 amp cheap enough, I may give it a try. Not ready to eat yet, still cooking ;).....

1markr September 11, 2005 15:52

System edited: Well, it was time to add the cabling components of my system. I have been trying out various and many sets of different cables in the last 6 mos. or more, and so far, this compliment of ICs, speaker cables, and power cables has provided me with the extreme pleasure of a sonically fun ssytem! There's a little more work to be done, but the end is near...I can smell it!

1markr September 10, 2005 14:29

System edited: I added a deHavilland UltraVerve line stage preamp. The Audio Aero's preamp section was just not cutting it for me in my system, so enter the deHavilland. This preamp has exceeded all my expectations, and is tremendously synergistic in my system. This eval unit will NOT be going back. Huge bang for the $$!

1markr December 31, 2004 00:13

Hey Brooks, check your email. In short, both the Berning and Joules are great amps. Both have their strengths. Are the Joules worth more than two times the Berning? IMHO, no, but others may disagree. The Joule displays a deeper soundstage, and the mids are better, not as "hard" sounding. The Berning has better bass and slam, plus it takes up so little space, gives off little heat, and nothing to bias, it ran itself. What irks me most is how much noisier (buzzing and humming, not due to ground loops) the VZNs are vs. the ultra quiet Berning. Jud has a fix that will supposedly make the amps 6 to 8 db quiter, so I will have that done it January.

I alternate between the Audience and Gain cord on the Joules. Haven't decided which is best yet.

Hopefully the deHavilland arrives this week, starting a 30 day audition. I always liked the 6SN7 tubes, and my lazy arse really wants a remote, thus I'll be giving the UltraVerve a shot. I think my system could use a preamp again. The Audio Aero DAC's built-in preamp doesn't seem to be cutting it with the Joules, it seems.

1markr November 29, 2004 11:48

System edited: Latest evolution: Replaced the very excellent, fully tweaked Berning ZH270 with a pair of Joule Electra VZN-100 Marquis mkIV monoblocks (non-Musicwoods, sob). Replaced Audience AU24 ICs and speaker cables with Cardas Golden Reference ICs and speaker cables. I will also be trying out the favorably reviewed 6SN7-based deHavilland UltraVerve preamp in my system. I don't feel that the preamp section of my Audio Aero DAC is taking my system where I want or expect it to go.

1markr November 17, 2004 16:53

System edited: Sold my favorite preamp, the First Sound Presence Deluxe mkII, to stick with the built-in preamp of the Audio Aero DAC. It does quite a respectable job at switching between two analog inputs and volume control. I'm also trying out Z-Square's AU AU Gold Interconnects against my Audience AU24s.

1markr September 26, 2004 22:40

System edited: Added an Audio Note CDT-2 tranport to play with the Audio Aero DAC. Will the Brit coexist nicely with the French?? We'll see soo enough.

1markr September 20, 2004 13:40

System edited: Adding a new Audio Aero Prima 24/192 MKII DAC to the system. Not much money left for a great transport. Any recommnedations on the cheap? The AA will team up with an un-modded Denon 2200 in the meantime. Can this be it for now?

1markr August 05, 2004 16:56

Nick,

I have had the Berning in my system over a month now. I had a very hard time parting with the Hurricanes, but ultimately, I feel it was the right decision. BTW, I use the BAT Vk-D5 as the source, no vinyl.

The Hurricanes have a fuller sound with better bass and more power vs. the Berning, but the ZH270 bettered them in most other sonic aspects. The Hurricanes were a great match for VR-4s (I didn't have the Berning at the time I sold the VR-4s). IMO, the Berning is a much better match for the Merlins than the Hurricanes were. The Berning stood out as far as detail, speed, and clarity of sound, not to mention small size and low heat production.

One other observation, it seemed the Hurricane's soundstage collapsed (became flat) at higher listening levels with the Merlins, while the Berning stayed coherent at similiar listening levels.

I'm currently working on "warming" up the sound of the Berning (and system) now. Tubes are flying in and out!

1markr July 15, 2004 10:41

Perfectionist,

I do prefer the Merlins to the VR-4s, and not all for sonic reasons alone. Let me give you some meaningful (to me, in my system and room) comparisons:

Soundstage: taller and wider with the Merlins, deeper with the VR-4s (with rear tweeter slightly on). Both speakers image wonderfully.

Inner detail: much better on the Merlins. Clearer details with the Merlins, while the VR-4s are warmer, not as detailed.

Bass: no contest, the Vr-4s go DEEP and TIGHT! I have a REL Strata III to augment the bass of the Merlins, which is decent, but not great.

Speed / PRAT: Merlins are very quick, VR-4s were a little slower sounding.

Low level listening: Merlins are great. VR-4s sound best played loud.

Cosmetics / Finish: Merlins by a long shot. I never liked the wrap-around sock and cheaply finished endcaps of the VR-4s. The Merlins size and looks (Ruby Heart Red) are much more pleasing in my family room.

1markr July 15, 2004 10:28

System edited: Sold off the ASL Hurricane monoblocks. They will be sorely missed! However, the Berning is a wonderful amp, despite it's lightweight size and modest 70wpc power rating. As good a match for the Merlins as everybody claims!

1markr July 15, 2004 10:07

System edited: Added a Berning ZH270 amp to the system. Should be here by end of next week. Really looking forward to it based on all the rave reviews I have read about it.

1markr June 05, 2004 12:05

System edited: I've replaced my VR-4 III HSEs with a wonderful pair of Ruby Red Merlin VSM-Ms. I've also kept my ASL Hurricanes, but I'm thinking of goig OTL route. Keeping an eye out for a pair of Joule Electra VZN-100s or a Berning ZH270 in the very near future. I'm set with everything else!

1markr May 30, 2004 09:57

Soon, Nrchy, soon....

1markr April 28, 2004 21:16

Everyone says how good the BAT is, including reviewers, but it just did not work in my system. It did not have the synergy with the rest of my components. I feel that it didn't allow the the emotion of the music to come thru. It sounded "mid-fi" in my system, and for the money, there was nothing to write home about. The First Sound is completely on the other end of the spectrum, and I'm enjoying it immensely.

1markr April 28, 2004 08:04

System edited: Added a First Sound Presence Deluxe MKII preamp to my system, which was sonically a great move. Also acquired a pair of Parasound JC-1s to pit them against my Hurricane tube amps. Getting pretty close to the desired state for my system.

1markr April 01, 2004 22:11

System edited: Decided to add a BAT VK-51SE preamp and two amps to my audio system to replace the ECI-4. Thanks to A-gon, I ended up with the ASL Hurricane 200DT tube monoblocks and a Spectron Musician II digital amp. I may end up keeping both amps, as they will serve different purposes (the Spectron will be great for ease of use for my wife and her Bon Jovi obsession!). So I'm waiting for all these toys to arrive, but unfortunately, they'll sit for the next couple of months until the home remodeling project gets completed. Looking forward to some audiophile fun!

1markr July 30, 2003 20:25

System edited: During the house remodeling, I'm upgrading my electric service from 60A to 200A. Adding 3 dedicated 20A lines for the audio system with 10gauge stranded 99.9% pure copper for AC, isolated ground, and on the same phase. Will run three cryo'ed Hubbell IG5362 outlets. Will also need to think about power conditioning next.

1markr July 29, 2003 22:29