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Thoughts on the Jeff Rowland Concerto integrated?

I am looking for any reviews that may be out there on the JRDG Concerto Integrated amplifier. I have done a search on Audiogon and a Google search and have come up with little in terms of actual review information. If you know of any such reviews, I'd appreciate it if you let me know where I can find them.

Have you had a chance to compare it with other integrated amps out there and how did it stack up? How about comparison with the better separates? It certainly appears to have ample power. How is it in terms of tonality, PRAT, imaging/soundstage? Finally, how good is the on-board phono stage?

I am looking at consolodating a couple of components (Lamm L1 line stage, Pass Labs Aleph 5 amp, highly upgraded EAR 834/S&B transformers) with a single unit. Would the Concerto (or any other integrated you can recommend) come close, or even better, improve on this? My speakers are Dunlavy Alethas, but will likely be downsized to a Merlin VSM/TSM or Kharma 3.1/3.2.

Many thanks in advance for reading this and for any information you can provide.

All the best,
Neville
njp
shoegazer
22 posts
 
I was going to pose a similar question on the Concerto integrated then I saw this thread: has anyone compared it to a 201/Concerto or Synergy Preamp combo? I am considering it but of course would rather spend less, but space is a key conern. Any thoughts or experience on how it compares to either of the two separates options (201/Concerto or 201/SynergyIIi)? Is it close? Dissapointing? Thanks.
trelja
3,224 posts
 
Streetdaddy, THAT is the definition of customer service! Thank you so much for sharing it! Not only did he win a customer for life in you, but I believe your post will project on to others as well. While on the fence over the years, I believe you have inspired me to purchase a JRDG component at some point.

It never ceases to amaze me how few companies respond this way (Jeff Rowland, VAC), how little it costs for the company to provide this, and how richly they are rewarded in reaping good will and this type of publicity.
yashu
196 posts
 
Hi,

I have the previous model (Concentra 2) and it is awesome.

Have had this unit over two years and have it paired with Pro-Ac 2.5's and the FMJCD-23 player.

I spend much less time listening for the "audiophile thing" and really enjoy the music. The sound is absolutely perfect and I could not be happier.

I have completely stopped looking for any and all upgrades and just dig the music.

Louis
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
Jeff tells me the Concerto integrated is identical to my 201 and Concerto Pre combo. I bought mine before the integrated was available but now I wish I had waited.

I also have the phono card which is the same as the one from the Concentra but it sounds much better in the new preamp. For reasons you'll need to learn from the factory, these cards are not completely interchangeable. It has something to do with a DAC option as I recall.

I'm very happy to read about people moving past the audiophile thing and just enjoying the music rather than listening beyond it to analyze micro differentials.

I believe the reason why you don't see more of Rowland in the audio press is because he got fed up with their petulant preening and the political manipulation of the reviewers and their puppetmasters.

Since no one else seems willing, I'll say it now. Jeff Rowland makes the hands down finest audio equipment available today. You can see that and that is why you are interested. Go ahead and buy it if you want to. You don't need Stereophile's permission.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,275 posts
 
Rich Maez told me that the 201 + Concerto pre will outperform the Concerto integrated. Better low-frequency authority and punch, better channel separation, and better dynamics due to a larger preamp power supply. I wonder who's right.

Is Rich still with JRDG? I recently saw his name in connection with Boulder.
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