Question for Rowland aficionados


I've been playing with an old Rowland Model One. In my system, it sounds dark and closed in on top, a bit grainy, but it also reproduces the most extraordinary intrumental tone, so lifelike that it oftens fools me in the "that sounds just like a real saxophone" way. My Pass 150 never does this, nor does my CJ 11a (to the same extent that the Rowland does). This could be just great system synergy that's going on, but I'm betting it's a characteristic of the Rowland.

So here's my question: is this a quality of other Rowland amps? As the line has evolved since the Model One, how has the sound changed? I want that lifelike tone with, of course, a bit more extension on top and so forth.

I might as well also ask: which other amplifiers (other brands) do you think can deliver this uncanny lifelike quality?

-Dan
Ag insider logo xs@2xdrubin
I can't ever see myself replacing my Rowland gear: 625 S2 amp, Corus preamp, Aeris DAC.
Rumor has it Model 7 mono and Model 5 stereo are great, same "character" as Model 1 but better all the way.

Macrojak....I think the Ayre integrated units are not only excellent but at the top rung of what is available.