Jeff Rowland

I had a JR 525 in my system briefly, replacing a monster McCormack DNA-500. I paired it with a Modwright-LS 36.5 preamp. It sounded pleasant enough but I felt it was lacking in dynamics, presence and oomph. I then bought a used JR Continuum S2 here on A'gon and used that in place of the 525/MW and McCormack/MW combos. Much, much better. I sold the 525, McCormack and Modwright -- all great units, but the Continuum sounded at least as good as the McCormack-MW combo and I thought it was appreciably better than the 525-MW combo.

Schacter,

Thanks for the feedback, although I feel my 525 could be better with musical nuance/detail and I'm actually happy with the dynamics. Do you still have the Continuum S2 or do you have the Spectron Musician? If you have the Spectron, how does it compare to the Continuum S2. Thanks!

I have the Continuum S2. I had the Spectron many years ago. I guess I should update my system as it is now completely different.

Schacter,

Please describe the differences you hear between the 525 and Continuum S2...is there a night and day difference?

Hi Richard, I have listened at some length to Continuum S2 and Capri S2… And have heard comparative opinions of Continuum S2 with M525 from people that I respect who have considerable Rowland experience.

Continuum S2 is based on the Pascal M2Pro module, which is a higher end module than the S2Pro used in M525… And the audible results, for all that have listened to them, are quite in evidence… Continuum S2 is extremely textured and marvelously nuanced. By contrast, all comparative findings that I have heard from people in the know, is that M525, while excellent at its price point, might be a little more matter-of-fact and less emotionally involving than Continuum S2.

Continuum S2 delivers 400W with a peak current of 38 Amps…. It will drive anything you throw at it, except some uber-large speakers…. A pair of M525 bridged to mono ops might give you a smidjin more authority than Continuum S2…. At the cost of some subtlety and musicality.

Capri S2 and Continuum S2 share the same/identical preamplification circuit… There is no difference… And yes, Capri S2 is a wonderful preamplifier… I have heard it, and really like it. It is more textured and nuanced than the original, its bass is more complete, harmonically structured, and treble has greater delicacy than the original.

The question is rather.... If you have a single source... The Pricasti M1 DAC, you might not need a preamplifier at all. These days, if you have a really good DAC with high quality variable analog output, a preamplifier justifies itself mostly for system management in a system with a combination of digital and analog sources.

On the other hand, upgrading the power amplifier or adding a line stage are not the only way with which your system can enhance its performance very significantly. Yes, there are speakers of course, and then there is cabling, which can make a world of difference.... What wires and PCs are you using today?

Guido