Jpetek, recent JRDG Model 301 amps are a monoblock design, loosely similar to the JRDG Model 312 stereo that I own. Like the 312, the power supply is fed rectified high voltage DC by PFC units followed by capacitor buffers. One of the most interesting differences, is that the 301 is configurable for higher and lower impedance speakers, while the 312 is purely a generalist. Of course, 301 has also twice the peak current of 312. Unfortunately, I have no direct experience with 301. However, my comparative experience of 312 vs Boulder 2060 may be indicative. . . I have had the opportunity of comparing for several hours a Boulder 2060 with the JRDG 312 stereo in Denver during last Fall. The rest of the system consisted of the Boulder CDp, the big 2000 series Boulder pre, and the Vienna Die Muzick speakers.
Both amps yield a credible soundstage and instrument images. Where things differ significantly is in harmonic content, low level information retrieval, and micro dynamics.
Comparatively, the Boulder yields only a moderate amount of harmonic information. . . e.g. a piano sounds like a piano, but somewhat generic, and you really do not hear too much harmonic decay. Viceversa, 312 yields very significant harmonic information, and you 'see' very deeply into the structure of the sound. This kind of feathery glow is also present in solo string music. . . where you will hear much more low level vibrato in pianissimo passages on 312. Paradoxically, 312 yielded also greater authority than Boulder 2060 on the Muzick speakers.
Overall, 312 sounded to me like a more involving, more resolving, and more musically interesting creator of sound than 2060, while 2060 seemed to be occasionally HiFiish in its sonic approach. If Model 301 maintains the best traits of 312 but with even greater ease and authority, I suspect the results may be quite musically involving.
Guido
I was not the only one at Soundings HiFi that evening. . . several other people were present, including several audiogoners. Most folks seemed to agree with my findings.
Both amps yield a credible soundstage and instrument images. Where things differ significantly is in harmonic content, low level information retrieval, and micro dynamics.
Comparatively, the Boulder yields only a moderate amount of harmonic information. . . e.g. a piano sounds like a piano, but somewhat generic, and you really do not hear too much harmonic decay. Viceversa, 312 yields very significant harmonic information, and you 'see' very deeply into the structure of the sound. This kind of feathery glow is also present in solo string music. . . where you will hear much more low level vibrato in pianissimo passages on 312. Paradoxically, 312 yielded also greater authority than Boulder 2060 on the Muzick speakers.
Overall, 312 sounded to me like a more involving, more resolving, and more musically interesting creator of sound than 2060, while 2060 seemed to be occasionally HiFiish in its sonic approach. If Model 301 maintains the best traits of 312 but with even greater ease and authority, I suspect the results may be quite musically involving.
Guido
I was not the only one at Soundings HiFi that evening. . . several other people were present, including several audiogoners. Most folks seemed to agree with my findings.