Pre-amp for Rowland Model 102

zd542,

The 102 needed some break-in before it started to warm up. Out of the box there was good detail in each instrument but they all seemed to be at the same volume or fighting to stand out or stomping on each other, I was getting really fatigued listening to it. After a week of constant use, there was much better separation, the soundstage opened up, and cybals/bells/triangles were now trailing off nicely. No fatigue at this point, quite the opposite, I find myself looking for recordings to extend my listening sessions.

I leave it turned on all of the time as suggested for Class D amps. I'm not sure if this is true because I haven't tried it yet, but I read that if one powers off a Class D amp for an extended period, the break-in period starts all over again. I have briefly powered it off to swap cables and relocate the amp, and it didn't seem to affect anything.

I read the reviews on the Aesthetix but it's a bit out of my price range. I'm hoping with luck I could score a good used Capri or K5xe (maybe even MP) or Klyne.

Syntax,

The funny thing is in three months of looking on A'gon, I haven't seen a single Klyne up for sale. I'm guess it's because people don't want to let go of them.

I'm also curious how a Cary SLP03 and Vincent SA-31MK (both tube/hybrid preamps) would sound with a Class D amp.

Fed, I have had extensive experience with Rowland Capri. It bested my ARC REF 3 in harmonic development, control of treble intermodulation in complex passages (think of multipart violins), bass control, and general authority and transients. Staging and imaging were comparable between the two devices. The only aspect of Capri that I thought might have benefitted from improvement was the lowest octave in the bass that could sound slightly blanched compared to REF3.

Note that a new Capri will take approximately 700 hours of operation before stabilizing and giving you its best. Like M102, it is perfectly safe to leave it on all the time, because power consumption is negligible, in spite of it operating in class-A.

You can significantly enhance the performance of your M102 by powering it through a Rowland PC-1 rectifier.

Technically, you can also connect PC-1 to both M-102 and Capri through a "Y" cord.... But I do not recommend it. PC-1 is great for M-102, M-201, M-501, and COntinuum 250, but makes the sound of Capri slightly pinched and throaty.

There is a significant amount of information on all these devices, and how they interact, on the Rowland knowledge base:

All manuals, including Capri and M102:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=14

Capri FAQ (25 articles):
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=8

M102 FAQ (25 articles:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=7

PC-1 FAQ :
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=23

Best, Guido

Feds, Syntax's Klyne reco is excellent, by far the best SS preamp that I have ever heard. You have noted the scarcity of them on the used market, there is a good reason for that, they are worth keeping. Keep looking, it could be very rewarding.

I'm using Power Factor correcting conditioner Furman Elite 20 PFi with Rowland 102. It does not affect dynamics but makes everything cleaner. The strange thing is that bass became cleaner - more even and musical. Very good non-sacrificial over/under voltage protection is another benefit. I don't have to worry about leaving it ON 24/7. 102 is plugged into high current outlets while Benchmark DAC1, I use as pre, is plugged into lower current preamp dedicated outlets.

Hi Kijanki, fascinating info. I did not know that Furman was producing a PFC-based conditioner. how has the Furman Elite afected harmonic detail, microdynamics, and mid-treble intermodulation? Can you isolate the separate impact on M102 and Capri? Guido