I believe the Concentra I was based on the Model 2 and you are correct that the Concentra II was adapted from the 112.Both units owe a lot to the Synergy preamp as well although I read on Rowland's site that some of the Synergy upgrades were first developed for the Concentras.
Don't let anyone kid you........there is no integrated that comes close.
The Model 201 is derived from the 302 using a module developed by European students under the direction of Bang and Olufsen. Beyond that all I know is that Jeff told me his digital has an analog front end and is utterly different from any other digital design. I use my 201s with Goldmund Dialogue speakers which are a 4 ohm load with 96 db efficiency so I'm sure that I don't work them very hard. If you are familiar with the Concentra, you know that the chassis gets very warm during normal operation. I have my cute little monos on the floor behind my speakers and I keep towels over them to protect them from dog and kids and vacuum and the like. Even under towels they don't get warm.
If you want sound comparisons I don't feel I know how to do that. The 201 seems much more open, has a much quieter background and suggests effortless speed and phenomenal articulation. Every voice in harmony can be isolated by the listener. Wooden sounds are more realistic. Cymbals ring longer. Bass is more defined, snarling, growling, reverberating. There is overall less sense of an equipment presence. I thought my Concentra was as good as it gets; now I'm pestering Jeff to create a preamp as good as the 201.
If you are considering the upgrade, just jump in with both feet. You won't regret it.
Don't let anyone kid you........there is no integrated that comes close.
The Model 201 is derived from the 302 using a module developed by European students under the direction of Bang and Olufsen. Beyond that all I know is that Jeff told me his digital has an analog front end and is utterly different from any other digital design. I use my 201s with Goldmund Dialogue speakers which are a 4 ohm load with 96 db efficiency so I'm sure that I don't work them very hard. If you are familiar with the Concentra, you know that the chassis gets very warm during normal operation. I have my cute little monos on the floor behind my speakers and I keep towels over them to protect them from dog and kids and vacuum and the like. Even under towels they don't get warm.
If you want sound comparisons I don't feel I know how to do that. The 201 seems much more open, has a much quieter background and suggests effortless speed and phenomenal articulation. Every voice in harmony can be isolated by the listener. Wooden sounds are more realistic. Cymbals ring longer. Bass is more defined, snarling, growling, reverberating. There is overall less sense of an equipment presence. I thought my Concentra was as good as it gets; now I'm pestering Jeff to create a preamp as good as the 201.
If you are considering the upgrade, just jump in with both feet. You won't regret it.