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
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
I heard it yesterday, through a crappy Primare CDP and with music that I didn't know, and the first impression was incredibly positive. The silence from which the music emerged was presented was absolute and the air and details of the recording venue where incredibly life like.

I guess someday soon I'll need to lug my Playback Designs MPS-5 over to Soundings to listen with a good front end, more appropriate for the Criterion/312/The Musik setup that followed the lowly Primare.

Dave
husk01
171 posts
 
Dcstep, Did the Criterion have the remote working? And where is soundings? Web address?
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Husk, Soundings HiFi is in Denver (Colorado). Best way to get in touch with them is by phone at 303-759-5505. The owner is my friend Rod Tomson.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Husk, no the remote was NOT fully operational yet. This is a machine with "production" boards, etc., but not released int the US yet, due to ongoing work on the remote. JRDG is right down the road from us here in Denver and Soundings is a long-time dealer; hence, the unit sitting at Soundings, awaiting a firmware update for sales release.

Dave
husk01
171 posts
 
Dcstep, Love to here your comments after hearing it with your MPS-5.
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