Jeff Rowland Model 1


Came across this little beauty at a used stereo store. Should I pick it up? I am on a strict budget just starting a new system. The seller wants 900 bucks. Any thoughts on this amp?
jeffvegas

jeffvegas

Good little amp get it, what Rowland was good at "linear amps", can "almost" do the wattage doubling act into each halving of impedance loading (below), would have to be BJT (bi-polar) output stage as complimentary Mosfets couldn’t do these figures.

Should be able to drive "hard to drive speakers" that aren’t too inefficient, like many of the mid/large sized Wilson or Martin Logans with their 1ohm loading or Maggies I noticed you talking about in other threads

Tested at
84W into 8 ohms
140W into 4 ohms
220W into 2 ohms.

Cheers George
I had one ( used it with a Rowland pre).. a little soft in the thighs.  I recommend using the balanced option.  Sounds like a good  find.
Get it if your speakers or system is already on the cool side.
The Model 1 and 2 are fantastic. They are a little on the warm sound side of the spectrum. I owned a Model 2 I still regret selling.

The "on" light on the button of these units tends to fail given their age. The parts should still be available from JRD and most qualified techs should be able to replace it easily enough.
Here is another perspective...Although it was a great amp in it’s day ( well built, single ended and balanced, switchable input impedance, bridge capability, ran the driver stage continuously, unless the rear power switch was off, during a vacation period, dc coupled, etc. ) and yes, on the warm side of things ( in fact, I thought it to be dark sounding ), it is almost 30 years old, and I feel, with the new generation of amplifiers, it is worth getting, if, Jeff Rowland, or someone with a good technical background, can do a complete rebuild, which will not be cheap. And I say, why bother. My Krell KSA 50 was so much better, to me......which sold, new, for less than the model 1. I have thought many amplifiers, by Aragon, McCormack, Pass designs, and several others, more recent and for less money, bettered it. My belief, is amplifiers should be purchased to match the speakers it will be driving, and I am into " easily driven " speakers, not needing an amplifier to " double down " as georgie states. I recently went through my closest ( s ) during the last 3 years, and sold the majority of my collection, for a few reasons. Most of them, although excellent, sounded dark, and lacked detail, compared to some newer, more recent designs. 2nd, I am, although an amplifier junkie, feel, Class D will be the way of the future...OH O, georgie is here.....just some things to think about. So I say....nay....as, you asked...the decision is of course, yours.......please, no hard feelings, to you, or anyone posting here. Enjoy ! MrD.
My belief, is amplifiers should be purchased to match the speakers it will be driving, and I am into " easily driven " speakers, not needing an amplifier to " double down " as georgie states.

Like I said Great amp, and my reason for saying it also, is that the OP hasn’t stated which speaker yet. He’s listen to ML esl’s which are a min 1ohm, this amp will handle it.
And this amp is that can drive anything he decides to get, now or in the future,
The OP can get any speaker with it and it will be happy diving them because of these figures. Tested at
84W into 8 ohms
140W into 4 ohms
220W into 2 ohms.

Cheers George