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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
 
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.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
According to Rod at Soundings in Denver, Kelly, JRDG's office manager, declared that Santa does exist! The factory has just had Criterion First Customer Ship (FSC) a few days ago. Looks like a few lucky audiophile in yet undisclosed locations may get a Criterion under the tree. If I learn more, I'll post here.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
For those lucky stiffs who are attending THE Show in Vegas from Jan 8th through 11th, Jeff Rowland is featuring the Criterion at the Venitian, 30th floor, room 231. All I know about the rest of the system is that it features the JRDG 312 amp and Thiel 3.7 speakers. I suspect that the front end may be the newest EMM single box player, and that wiring may be Nordost (perhaps Valhalla). Sadly, I am not attending, but if you are, please post here any further details and listening impression. Furthermore, if you spot any showblog reports that mention Criterion. . . pls post the URL here as well. G.
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Heard it today and spoke with Jeff. The wiring is Nordost but quite frankly don't remember the front end as I was there early morning and heard a lot of stuff today. I'll be going back tomorrow.

The sound was very good. Much more impressive than the Soundings room at RMAF.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Clio, please keep us posted. Do you know if the Criterion was running on battery power or AC? If it is, see tomorrow if you can switch it back and forth and report on any perceivable difference. Guido
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