OK, here is my update on the Dodge 8 Clarity.
- The comments MUST be taken in context to my ears pleasure center, and that is solidly placed imaging with pin-point spatial location and as little sonic "blending" between each person, instrument ETC.
The Dodge 8 Clarity was the BEST of the tube units I've had at home. I finally heard the tube magic in the midrange area in that it provided a very nice timber and resonance. But, the definition, clarity, and pin-point precision was not as good as my XP-10. The front to back depth wasn't nearly as deep, or well organized.
The DynAudio C4's signatures bring this out immediately, and my ear lends towards the XP-10 verses the Clarity. Also, the XP-10 is a $5,800.00 unit I bought used, so it SHOULD have some decided advantage where it is intended to over a $2,000.00 retail tube unit. And no, the tube rollers will NEVER bridge the sound gap between the two units. It isn't even close. Minor tweaks, yes, a night and day difference, no. Neither unit will trade places with the other. The XP-10 will NEVER have that organic tube resonance. So I'm not knocking either units, just pointing out the fundamental differences that will always remain.
I also listened to an tube Octave unit that was very good, and very expensive...and still liked the XP-10. The Octave unit was even better at midrange texture and fullness, and STILL lost the edge and spatial detail that the XP-10 is so good at.
No, this does NOT say that the Clarity is a bad pre- amplifier, it says I tend to favor a fast, clear, precise sound and a sound that the C4's are excellent at extracting. The build quality of the Dodge 8 Clarity was excellent, especially at the price. Nothing was short of, "built like a rock".
In my price range, the sonic pallets seem to fall on one side or the other, a softer but harmonically rich sound (tubes) or a precise fast, detailed sound (SS). Heck yes, a uber high-end tube unit might get BOTH. I just don't hear it at under 10K at the moment.
Which one do you like? Well, if I replaced the tube units with the SS XP-10, I never wanted to switch the XP-10 out again! So that pretty much decided it for me. Your results may be exactly the opposite.
My ear tends to be absorbed in spatial precision. A cymbal tap clicks, and the resonance overtones emanate EXACTLY from where the tap was spatially located. Like a rock plopping into water, and the reverberation ripples emanating exactly from there. Again, your "ear" may weigh different types of accuracy. Mine just goes big time this way.
One last note, Pacific Valve was 100% responsive to their commitment to allow a trial over a 30-day period with a minor restocking fee and return shipment. No, that means it isn't "free", but it is still a more economical way to try a good lower priced but mid range sound targeted tube unit. I would not hesitate to recommend a trial.
