Jeff Rowland

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

Guido,

My digital and balanced interconnect cables are Wireworld Platinum Series 7. My powercord and speaker cables are Wireworld Silver Series 7.

I've gone back and forth because I didn't think I would have the opportunity to compare everything. It looks like I may have the opportunity to compare my Bricasti M1 DAC/JR 525 combination to the Continuum S2 and Bridged 525s to the S2.

I know that upgrading the power amp, adding a line stage, and/or changing speakers can have a significant impact on the overall sound. I'm limited on what I want to spend; therefore I'm trying to figure out the best way to spend my money. I've ruled out changing my speakers or my DAC.

Guido, as always thanks so much for your input.

Hi Richard, seems to be an excellent plan to me. On the subject of line stage, adding a line stage between DAC and amplifier is not likely to increase resolution per se. On the other hand, it can do the following...

* if a hypothetical DAC were sounding a little hard fed direct into amps, linestage might be able to eliminate some of the treble intermodulation causing the hardness.

* In some cases, a linestage might add some authority, and macrodynamics to the analog output of the DAC.

* If a DAC signal could not be attenuated down to 0 with its volume control, a linestage would get you down to zero volume.

On the subject of cabling.... I am getting some startling results by applying a pair of High Fidelity CT-1 power cords to my system. I will be creating a thread in the next few days to describe my break-in findings. Stay tuned.

Saluti, Guido