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New Rowland Criterion 2-chassis battery pre

Jeff Rowland Design has just created a page for its upcoming statement-level, twin chassis, battery powered full function preamplifier. Detail is still scant, but a little bit of info is already available, in addition to front and rear view pics. Here’s the page:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion.htm
And here’s the front view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-front.htm
And here’s the rear view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-back.htm

You will find a few specs already on the site. JRDG should be publishing more info in the next few weeks. I will post here as I receive it. in addition to the published specs that you can read on the page above, here are a very few additional tidbits that I have learned this far:

. Uses Burr Brown TI OPA1632 high speed fully differentially balanced modules.
. Includes phono stage.
. Uses standard NiMH D-cell batteries available in most electronics stores, loaded in 2 rear-inserted tubes of power supply chassis.
. Capable of AC/DC operation . . . will recharge batteries on independent circuit during AC operation.
. Full remote control
. Target price $18K (not sure yet)
. Availability: probably early Fall 2008.
. Will be featured at RMAF in Soundings Hifi suite Marriott 503 or 505 from Oct 10th to 12th in Denver.

And sorry folks, I have not heard this device yet. Nor I have any good third party reports on its sound. Any speculations on Sonics from my part would be just. . . pure speculations. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Guido
guidocorona
brazcole
63 posts
 
Guidocorona,
The brasilian dealer for JRDG is located in south of Brasil. After your post I call the store in Rio de Janeiro where I bought my JRDG devices. They didn't have yet the remote control, but it was arrived in Som Maior, the brasilian dealer, and I need to wait few more days. Anyway, that's no problem, because I don't use remote control as I have a custom made wood rack with 6'2'' foot high.

Now, talking with the rep in Rio, he said the remote control WILL BE THE ONLY DEVICE I will receive, but Jeff Rowland send a little and special device to Som Maior to put some software inside the Criterion to be ready for the remote control.

A guy from Som Maior will visit all the customers in Brasil to do that. He will open the Criterion for that.

It's great, because there isn't a external receiver and a extra cable.

Brazcole

guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
That's great Brazcole. Right now firmware upgrade is done via a little programmer device that is connected inside the control unit chassis. Eventually all updates will be performed via the USB connector in the back of the control unit, so it will be a lot easier and will not require a technician to visit you.

As far as I know, operating the remote control transmitter also requires the remote receiver unit to be installed, but I may be wrong. Keep us all posted.

Guido
brazcole
63 posts
 
You're right, Guidocorona. I got the remote control, the receiver and a cable. I'm not going to try because I don't use remote control.

Now, why the brasilian dealer and/or the rep in Rio told me a history about it? About a technician and bla, bla, bla.
I think that as I'm the first, and as far I known, the only owner of a Model 312 in Brasil, they want to listen to my set up with the Criterion for recomendations watching futures sales.

But why to do that? Just say to me they would like to listen to my set up? Would be my pleasure to invite them to my house.

A novell for nothing, because as I don't use remote control I decline the visit of the technician from Som Maior "to put my Criterion ready for the remote control". This guy would come together with the sound manager from Som Maior.

Funny, they got nothing.

Brazcole
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Brazcole, I am new to remote controls. Until a couple of years ago I thought I would never use one. Than I started using the ARC Ref 3 and then the JRDG Capri pre. . . both with remote controls. . . and I quickly discovered that I love to use the volume control on these remotes while sitting comfortably on my listening couch.

There is now a Criterion with my name tagged on it, somewhere in the JRDG assembly line. I hope my Criterion will be shipped to me by mid July. . . and I fully expect to take advantage of its remote control transmitter.

Guido
brazcole
63 posts
 
Congratulations, Guidocorona, for your Criterion.
That's great, man.

So if you like remote controls, you will become a little kid when you see the Criterion's transmitter. It's beautifull, much more complete than Capri's remote control. It brings the JRDG signature.

Keep us all posted.

Brazcole.
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