Rowland --- older amps vs the newer models?

i haven't heard the newest rowland amps, but i have m-12's that sounded very similar to my ears like the pass aleph series (with less heat and weight, and able to handle higher speaker loads): (almost) tube sound without the tubes- i personally couldn't ask for much more than that. plus, rowland has undergone some unusual (somewhat rapid) changes in their product lines since the m-12 was discontined. and,
i still have a rowland consumate preamp which has 200 VOLUME STEPS and sounds incredible. the built-in phono sounds good and is QUIET even for moving coil settings. so, in conclusion, i'm (very) happy they have a proud history of making some very good-sounding solid-state. and, i just don't have the overwhelming urge to go out and get a synergy or a 302.

Had my model 8 with the original power supply ( choke) for many years. It's built like a tank and sounds much smoother than some of the newer models IMHO. I have compared choke vs. dual mono supply version and again prefer the choke version. If you can hear one I think you will hear what I mean.

Daveyf,my pal has the single chassis 8t,and I went for the dual chassis 8t,with the battery power supply.I assume you are referring to the single chassis,non switch mode PS,when you infer the orig is superior,to your ears.

I had my battery updated a year or so ago,to the switch mode power supply,which now replaces the battery.Originally,though the battery was quieter,the non battery model,my friend has,was a better performer,in dynamics,and very close in noise floor.Although I liked my model,his was actually the overall better unit,and damn quiet too!To me,the orig battery model,as compared to the higher powered regular model,was not really worth the extra cost.

Yet with the addition of the new switch mode power supply,in my second chassis,the tables,to me,are turned,and BIG TIME!!I,and my friend have identical set-ups,except I run Avalons,and he,Kharma.My Two chassis model(with the new PS)is better at extracting subtle inner voicings,something the stock unit is great at,but not in the class of the two chassis unit,as of now.Thank goodness,as I spent "bucks" for it.The new modded version,I now have is overall capable of blacker backgrounds,and sounds very neutral.To me,with the conversion of A/C to D/C,it is SO neutral,that I cannot detect any transistor/tube colorations,at all.BTW---I try "really hard" to detect any anomolies,like this,yet nothing to indicate any component signature.Now THAT is a good thing!!

Best regards!

sirspeedy, the model I have is the original model 8 with the choke power supply( single chassis).
I have heard the switch mode power supply and still prefer the choke. Jeff once told me that the choke was in his opinion the way to go, but that he had to change it due to the far east market complaining of hum. (Which I do not have any problems with in the US.) I also heard the battery power supply version,and it too seemed to be lacking in dynamics compared to my choke version.

Davey,your one chasis version is a superb amp,as my friend has it.My amp,as I've explained,is the original 8t circuitry,with the second chasis acting as the switch mode.I really don't know about the newer amps,and the ICE units within,but as per two conversations with Jeff Rowland,he stated to me that this configuration(my two chasis model,as upgraded to Switch mode)had 3 advantages,over the single chasis model,and was "logically superior",as it should be.First,the PS is isolated on a separate chasis,a good thing.Second there is NO filtering,due to the switch mode's usage.Thirdly,the A/C coming out of the line is converted to pure D/C,for quieter operation.These are Jeff's words,to me.Believe me,my friend's one chasis unit is superb,but you cannot convince me that I was originally duped into paying so much more for the two chasis model.That was actually the case as compared to the orig battery,which was quiet,yet rather WIMPY.This new version,of 8t circuitry,coupled with the second chasis acting as the external Switch mode PS,is a whole different ballgame.Better frequency extremes,and a much better sense of dynamics,as compared to the battery.Also,it seems STILL quieter than the original battery.That being said,and to be honest,I'd have gone with the single chasis unit,if I'd have known that it was actually superior to the ORIGINAL battery unit.It was,and IS,THAT GOOD!Best regards!