Rowland 8 Ti hc and Rowland 12

I'm with you cornfed, though my comparison was Model 2 to Model 10. The newer amps are still nice, and definitely more dynamic top-to-bottom and significantly better transparency. But, big but--the older amps are more liquid and pleasing, even if it is more colored compared to the newer amps, and surprising to me, the bass is much more authoritative with the older designs. Could it be because there is no substitute for a beefy power supply when it comes to bass response, as opposed to the high-tech but somewhat effete switch-mode supply of the new amps? Who knows. What I'd really like to see is a new and improved Model 2, who the hell needs all those hundreds of watts of the Model 8's, or the new Models 10 and 12? Give me a musical, liquid **and** transparent 50 to 75 watt amplifier and I'd be a happy camper....

We have (2) fully upgraded model 1's (rated @60 WPC into 8 ohms) mono blocked (240 WPC into 8 ohms) and it is going to be hard to kick them out of the chain. I agree with both Kelly and Dkuipers, these guys are so musical and liquid -it's absolute magic. I guess it depends on what type of music you listen to most, to value these charactertistics.

I have owned the 8tihc for a couple of years and auditioned the 12 with the same speakers I have at home, talons.
thec 8ti to my ears is more powerfull with a stronger bass drive. It does sound more musical to me as well. th 12 may be a bit lighter on its feet. P.s holding a 3 month old while typing is quitec a chalange!

After 25 years in audio and owning several JRDG amps (I use 2 7s, 2 1s and 2 3s in an active triamp config) I can confidently say that although switched mode power supplies can sound "faster", as the say in car terms - "there is no replacement for displacement" - the power supply is everything. Big toroids give you more slam in the bottom and sound much more musical. I tried Linn Klimaxes (switched mode power supplies)in my system and they didnt even come close to the Rowlands. I wouldn't trade them for anything.