New Rowland Criterion 2-chassis battery pre


Jeff Rowland Design has just created a page for its upcoming statement-level, twin chassis, battery powered full function preamplifier. Detail is still scant, but a little bit of info is already available, in addition to front and rear view pics. Here’s the page:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion.htm
And here’s the front view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-front.htm
And here’s the rear view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-back.htm

You will find a few specs already on the site. JRDG should be publishing more info in the next few weeks. I will post here as I receive it. in addition to the published specs that you can read on the page above, here are a very few additional tidbits that I have learned this far:

. Uses Burr Brown TI OPA1632 high speed fully differentially balanced modules.
. Includes phono stage.
. Uses standard NiMH D-cell batteries available in most electronics stores, loaded in 2 rear-inserted tubes of power supply chassis.
. Capable of AC/DC operation . . . will recharge batteries on independent circuit during AC operation.
. Full remote control
. Target price $18K (not sure yet)
. Availability: probably early Fall 2008.
. Will be featured at RMAF in Soundings Hifi suite Marriott 503 or 505 from Oct 10th to 12th in Denver.

And sorry folks, I have not heard this device yet. Nor I have any good third party reports on its sound. Any speculations on Sonics from my part would be just. . . pure speculations. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Guido
guidocorona
Hi French_fries, I agree with you. . . direct comparisons of older Concerto, Synergy and Coherence pres with current Capri are missing. If anyone in the greater Austin area has any of these legacy devices on hand, I'd love to get together and do some a/b listening. I have heard the Concerto pre once and loved it, but have not had the opportunity of doing a direct comparison with current production Capri nor with my ARC Ref 3. And if anyone else has the opportunity of making such direct comparison with units having at least 800 hours of recent play on them, please post your findings.
Why are there no reviews of Jeff Rowland products in the US/Canada press ? Is Jeff no longer interested in having his products reviewed ?
Hi Pinkus, I am also among those who would like to see reviews of some of the current crop of JRDG gear appearing in North America print/online publications. Guido
I've been enjoying the 201's and Concerto preamp for about 3 years. Given Jeff Rowland's reputation and seniority in high end audio, I've been surprised that there have been virtually no reviews and little mention of Rowland in the major websites and magazines during that time. Lesser known (and less innovative) brands seem to get reviewed repetitively (I'm thinking of a certain tube amp with an Italian-sounding name). Could it be that the amount of press is related to the amount of advertising?
SAG, there is probably some amount of positive correlation between advertising presence and review coverage in most magazines. . . after all. . . somewhat got to pay the bills, and even unbiased reviewers and editors need to eat at least once per day. . . . or so their doctors tend to tell them. so, in the end, manufacturers that do not advertise, may end up being reviewed a little bit less than some other ones that do. 'Tis Life! G.