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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
ricred1
2,005 posts
 
gareneau,
No, I never tried the PSU. I already sold my Aeris DAC and I'm waiting for the Chord Dave DAC. I'm keeping my Corus for now,  so I'll see how I feel after I receive the Dave and have some hours on it.
ricred1
2,005 posts
 
I've tried to listen to the PSU, but my local dealer doesn't have one and has no plans of getting one. He seems to prefer the Chord Dave and Berkeley DACs to the Aeris.
dev's avatar
dev
832 posts
 

Two different animals and it's really going to come down to which actual pce you are making reference too, pairing up with - it's just not that simple but also personal preference.

I like tube pre's paired up with solid state amps, my preference being all tube if you have the right combo and speakers.

I have owned numerous Rowland - absolutely gorgeous pces, at the same time also owned numerous ARC absolutely stunning SQ wise.

Presently have a REF6 paired up with 75SE driving Avantgarde speakers, sounds marvelous.

 

tdimler
132 posts
 
One thing to keep in mind on the ARC pre-amps....if you are driving a subwoofer with your solid state pre, you're gonna be out of business with ARC.  They say the impedance of most subs is too low, and that trying to drive one alongside a stereo amp will be deleterious to sound quality. Sad situation as I would love to try an ARC pre with my Rowland 625 S2.
ricred1
2,005 posts
 
tdimler,
You make a good point about ARC preamps and their inability to drive a sub. Al(on Audiogon) told me that before and that’s why I ruled ARC preamps out...I have a JL Audio F112 sub.
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