2. amps-preamps
  3. 1216693488

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
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Just managed to obtain one small technical tidbit from Jeff Rowland. . . Criterion utilizes the same oversized input and output Lundahl transformer that JRDG already has used on the 312 stereo amp and the Continuum 500 integrated. In the meantime, Jeff is confident that he will start shipping Criterion before year end. An engineering level unit with AC operation only and engineering level circuit boards is making the rounds of several dealers in Japan. . . in spite of device not being final production version, according to JRDG, reports are that dealers/users much prefer its sound even over the Coherence flagship. G.
kawika
57 posts
 
Guido, I was sceptical of your thoughts on the Capri being that good until I had my Wadia CD player upgraded (781) and then moded by Great Northern Sound to Statement level. The Capri has now shown me that my weakness in my system was my source! I won't get into a review here, but WOW is that thing great! If the Capri can show me what I'm now hearing (Avalon speakers) from my system it must be one killer pre. The most incredible thing about the Capri is its price. I know of no other preamp that can touch it for under $10K That Criterion is going to be something very, very special. I can't wait to get mine!!!!
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Yup, little Capri is one amazing device, and still remains my reference linestage. I hope that some day I'll be fortunate enough to compare a Capri and a Criterion side by side in my system.
kawika
57 posts
 
Well Gang, we are down to the last 30 days in this year and I sure hope Jeff can get this thing out the door in time for Santa to put it in his bag of Christmas toys to be left under my tree Christmas morning!
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Kawika, I am planning to buzz JRDG this week, and will ask an update on Criterion First Customer Ship (FCS) date. In the meantime, if you are interested, my capsule review of the JRDG 312 stereo amp has finally been published on issue 188 of the Absolute Sound. It's part of the Vienna Mahler Review article,which starts on page 76 or 78. G.
More to discover