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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
 
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
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Front end is DCS. I will get back to you on whether it was running on battery power or not. I asked Jeff yesterday and didn't get a straight answer, so I'll assume it was not. I was in the room today but focused more on listening.

The set up is very good. I think it tended towards the bright side, but overall a rather detailed and transparent sound. The Criterion is a couple steps above my Capri, but overall it has made me have a greater appreciation for what a great value the Capri is.

FWIW - many rooms at the show appeared to sound bright to me. The set up is difficult due to most rooms having a double tier with railings. The Rowland room was one of these so I have to give Jeff credit for getting as much out of the room as he did.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
On Stereophile's blog they say that the Criterion was on static display. I suspect that you're right and they're wrong (I saw it active at RMAF, but on AC only) but I'm wondering what was going on.

I suspect that Jeff ran it on AC and didn't want Stereophile to hear it until they could hear DC. Once Jeff gets the programming finished for this thing I suspect he'll never hire a programmer again. (Necessary evil).

Dave
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