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Rowland versus ARC

Anybody compare the products of these two company and have any opinions or favorites?

I realize one can be tubes and the other is solid state but I've heard Rowland has the warmth and musicality of tubes and the dynamic slam of SS.

What say you guys?

roxy1927
roxy1927 OP
125 posts
 

I have a tube amp 200wpc.

I am looking for a deeper wider soundstage. Looking for a pre which I hope will help in this area..

I listen to a lot of classical which tubes are wonderful for but I'm looking for a deeper more layered soundstage and for the classic rock and jazz which I also listen to I'm looking for more dynamics and slam which I lost a bit of when I went from a SS amp to tubes.

Hope this helps.

jond's avatar
jond
5,794 posts
 
roxy1927 can you give us some more details of your setup? Also have you tried moving your speakers around?
roxy1927 OP
125 posts
 

VPI Superscoutmaster and An ayon transport and DAC.

Unfortunately my room is small but I have the speakers 9 ft apart. Somebody told me it should be more like 6.

ricred1
2,005 posts
 
I have a Jeff Rowland Corus preamp and I'm looking to replace it with something below 20K. I thought about ARC, but haven't had the chance to compare them. I hear a lot of people say, Rowland makes better amplifiers than preamps. Can anyone recommend an ARC preamp to listen to?
4425
861 posts
 
Aeris direct to amp pretty stunning. I don't want to start an ARC flame but I've been to JRDG's place of business and strongly believe that he puts vastly more of everything into his products than ARC. His build quality is second to none with pride of ownership very high. 
That said I am very familiar with his gear and the Corus was not as transparent or exciting as the Aeris direct. What pre would work I can not say. I do think you'd have to try ARC. i'm sure it sounds very good.
My beef was that the Ref 3 that I once owned was basically an empty box. Regardless of sound quality the product was built to a price point without unique craftmanship. i think it not unreasonable to expect superb aesthetics given the price of high end gear. The argument that the box is pedestrian in order to enhance the insides is total BS. Audiophiles deserve both. However just an opinion from a very long term high end guy.

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