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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
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.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Brazcole, I just returned downstairs after 1 hour listening to Inna Poroscina playing Dvorak on piano (Dvorak complete piano works on Brilliant Classics). . . your post makes me smile with delight. . . My TEAC X-01 Ltd coupled with JRDG gear brings out the raw passion, Schmertz, pathos of the music. . . unadulterated by any polite editorializing. I like to feel 1 with the composer and with the performer. . . I want to be compelled to sing along works that never had lyrics, in languages that I do not even speak. The only player I like better than the X-01 Limited (or D2) is the Esoteric P03/D03/G0S stack. . . unfortunately my beloved wife, who knows I am more passionate than sensible, tells me I can't afford it! Ciao, Guido

PS. one word of warning. . . TEAC players take at least 1000 hours to break in. . . for the first few hundred hours they sound. . . terrible!
clavil
254 posts
 
à propos remote: today I let fall the remote of my Capri on the wooden floor (some 50 cm) ... pang! it broke in two separate parts ... only 50 cm !!

pinkus
144 posts
 
Clavil, better the remote than the Capri.
husk01
171 posts
 
Guido, Any word yet on when Jeff might be able to release the Criterion remote? This must be very disappointing for him. I would not expect to see any more user reviews until he can release the remote.
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