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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
clavil
254 posts
 
When I visited Jeff in his shop he talked about being amazed at how different an amp or pre-amp could sound by changing one or two internal wire

I am pers. amazed how ext. cables can change the sound, I have been using my wife and friends to corroborate that I don't suffer under acoustic hallucinations ;-)
clavil
254 posts
 
of course in blind hearing tests ...
brazcole
63 posts
 
No, the remote control AND the Criterion's Manual will send to me later. It's OK, because the software for the Menu is very easy to work. Anyway, JRDG e-mail me that will be soon.
My next step is check if the Ayre 5x is better than my GamuT CD-3. After I've got my JRDG devices I'd like to get the best source I can buy in Brasil.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Ah yes of course Clavil. . . I also do ONLY totally blind listening tests. . . won't do it any other way (grins!)
Brazcole, I have used TEAC Esoteric X-01 Limited with my JRDG Capri and 312 with fantastic results. G.
brazcole
63 posts
 
I talk with the Esoteric dealer here. They have the X-01D2, and they said to me that Esoteric makes devices for DCS, Pagannini or Puccini, and the Esoteric CD player is much better than DCS.
So I think it's a perfect combination for JRDG.
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