Dodson Audio - Still in Business?

FWIW, if you go to the Dodson website, it says "Dodson Audio is Moving - Website under construction". It did not say this yesterday...

I'm a Dodson dealer and spoke with Ralph about a month ago. Was told the same thing as mentioned above...that a family issue had forced him to put things on hold until the beginning of May. A little frustrating to say the least, because there seems to be some newly-generated interest in the DA-218 (an unusual number of inquiries as well as potential orders in the last 2-3 months).

"Was told the same thing as mentioned above...that a family issue had forced him to put things on hold until the beginning of May. A little frustrating to say the least..."

This would tend to corrborate the story even further: now we're 3 for 3. A little frustrating perhaps, but COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE, and APPROPRIATE from a broader life perspective. As Fatman points out:

"Family is definitely more important....."

I agree with that and support Mr. Dodson--and his decision--fully. I would hope and expect that others would as well.

In the Fall of 2002, I bought a mint Dodson DA-217 MkII-D, here on AudiogoN, to use with a Denon DCD-1650AR CD player. Since the player only had a single RCA digital output, I used a 1.5-meter Harmonic Technology Magic Digital One cable with RCA terminations. This was a big improvement on the CD player alone. In the Fall of 2004, I sent the DAC back to Ralph to install the 218 software upgrade, an AES/EBU input, and isolation transformers on the RCA and AES/EBU inputs. To keep the upgraded DAC company, I sold the Denon CD player and the RCA digital cable, and bought (again here on AudiogoN) an Audio Research CD3 MkII and a 1.0-meter length of the same digital cable, with XLR terminations.

Now, with my Rowland 201's and my Thiel 3.6's, I'm a "happy camper", and I'm grateful that I had the DAC upgrade performed when I did.

Thanks, Ralph! We wish you a speedy and satisfactory resolution of the "family issue", and we hope that you can continue supplying your splendid DAC to an appreciative audio community.

I have owned a Dodson DAC in various iterations over the last 6 years and now have a 218. I have had occassion to speak with Mr. Dodson several times over that period regarding upgrades, IC's and other issues. In addition to designing and making a superior product, he is one of the finest and most responsive gentlemen I have encountered in more than 35 years of audiophilia. I would take him at his word, and wish him the best.

Neal

>>A little frustrating perhaps, but COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE, and APPROPRIATE from a broader life perspective. >>

Absolutely. Ralph is a great guy and I wish him and his family well during this difficult time. My frustration only comes from wanting to serve my customers... :-D