best preamp under 4000 to match 4b sst

Tvat, I haven't seen Dodd or RWA Isabella at 50% off.
Also , (I don't know about Dodd) RWA has generous trade-in program.
Vinnie might even give you full list price for your older RWA component towards the upgrade to one of his more expensive offerings.
I am certainly pleased. YMMV
One of the best customer support that I've ever encounter.
Just to give you an exemple: when I questioned Isabella's performence and doubt it being better then my own Dodd, he showed up in my house with Isabella in his hand. And no, I am not the next door neighbor. It is at least few hours drive......not many would go to such a lenght to please the customer.
I doubt that you are going to get the same service from Joe X buying used.
It is your call.
Again , nothing wrong buying used but it isn't always the case.

Mrstark, I can see I need to be quite specific here.

One can lose anywhere from 20% to 60% when re-selling a piece of
equipment originally purchased new, give or take a few percentage points
higher or lower adjusting for market supply and demand.

There is a Dodd preamp for sale now listed at $1795. Its retail price is listed
at $3300. Therefore, the asking price is 54% of the original retail price. The
preamp has not sold at its asking price for 11 days, so one can assume the
actual sale price will be less than $1795. I'll venture a guess that it will sell
very close to 50% of the original $3300 retail price, give or take a few
percentage points higher or lower.

The Isabella is a relatively new product, so there have been few, if any, for
sale on the used market. However, looking at the listings for Red Wine
products shows asking prices ranging from 60% - 64% of retail. So, it may be
true that an Isabella would sell for more than 50% of retail.

Nevertheless, 40% is a significant savings.

I have head nothing but good things about Vinnie Rossi, and I imagine he
would offer excellent service for any of his products whether they were
purchased new or used.

Excellent service has been provided to me on used components from the
following companies: Lamm Industries, VAC, Modwright, and Exemplar Audio.
Frankly, I have never had a bad experience with any manufacturer regarding
service, information, or support on used components.

However, if the OP feels more comfortable buying new, then that's absolutely
the way to go for him. I agree with your suggestion of a home trial.

>>Mrstark, I can see I need to be quite specific here.<<
So do I.

Your experience on used market simply can not be matched. (ALNBM)

>>Frankly, I have never had a bad experience with any manufacturer regarding
service, information, or support on used components.<<

It is not always the case. One of the most reputable speaker manufacturers would not even answer my question and openly stated "no support to second hand owners". YMMV

>> I'll venture a guess that it will sell
very close to 50% of the original $3300 retail price<<
(please check the Dodd website not the listed prices on AgoN)

Ones again, the retail on Dodd battery preamp is $2699 NEW (directly from Dodd Audio). Please do not tell me how much it was a year ago as the author is shopping for preamp right now.

Now, about Maverick_spd's case.
We know that he lives in Canada.
We know that RWA has a dealer there and Dodd Audio doesn't.
We know about shipping costs, customs & taxes, exchange rates and repair costs if the product isn't under warranty or if warranty isn't transferable.

Do you still believe that used Dodd is a better choice????
I love that preamp but it just seems like Maverick might be better of with new RWA preamp.

Your philosophy is valid but like I said earlier.........."it isn't always the case".

Mariusz

I totally agree with your last statement Mrjstark. And the dodd audio pre at 1795 i sent him 3 emails and finaly got back to me to tell me it was sold. I told him that he should mark it sold if it is and still looks like its sitting there. I also contacted dodd audio dealer and i can get a band new one from him for 2490 tax included. But i still have to figure the exchange which will be way over 3000 plus damn customs and shipping. So by the time its all done and said i may be looking at close to 3500 easily. That is why im leaning towards the isabella at the moment. I phoned the dealer we have hear in canada which is in toronto and he is about 4 hrs away from here so for me to try it out at home before is goin to be a little hard for me. The dealer was very knowledgeable and quite helpful. Now its up to me to make my final decision. I may take a drive up to Toronto or just wait to the CES show in Montreal this comming April.
Cheers guys, and thanks for all the imputs, very well appreciated. Im only 35 here and stil have lots to learn.

Eric

We're picking nits here, Mrjstark.

The $1795 preamp was purchased by the original owner when the retail price
was $3300 according to the listing. It therefore sold for somewhere around
50%-54% of the original retail price at the time the owner purchased it.

Now that the retail price has been dropped to $2699 (yet UnderwoodWally
still lists the retail price at $3300 on an ad placed just five days ago), used
prices may drop further to align more closely to the 50%-54% figure. There
are few buyers who would be willing to pay 66% of retail for a used
component ($1795/$2699 = 66%), unless they were unaware the retail price
had been substantially lowered. It's unlikely any owner of a Dodd preamp who
purchased it when it retailed for $3300 is going to list the current retail price
of $2699 in their listing. They're going to list the $3300 price and hope to
maximize their resale.

The market will tell us over the next couple of months as additional used
Dodd preamps are listed for sale. It's the same with any component.

(ALNBM)? Please explain this acronym.

Eric, don't buy anything new until you've had a chance to hear it in your
system. Hearing it a dealer or at an audio show where the system is different
from yours and the room is not optimal will provide only a glimpse of how it
will sound in your system with your electronics and in your room. If you buy
new, and if you decide it was a mistake, then you'll pay a penalty upon resale.
So, be patient and continue to seek an audition. Perhaps there's a local
audiophile who owns one of the preamps you are interested in who would
offer to bring it to your home so you could hear it in your system. Sometimes,
you have to be creative.

BTW, UnderwoodWally lists his selling price here at $2290 for a new Dodd
Audio preamp.

Eric, I have a couple suggestions:

1) Contact Gary Dodd directly and ask if you can purchase a preamp with a
14, 21 or 30 day home trial. If it helps to secure an agreement, offer to pay a
restocking fee. If Gary agrees, then expect to pay his current retail price. I
imagine in the present economy and slow business climate, he might be
open to this arrangement.

2) Ask Gary what his specific policy is regarding service and support on used
components.

The same questions apply to Vinnie Rossi at Red Wine Audio.