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
bobheinatz
722 posts
 
Guido,

I don't expect you to remember me but we talk on the phone
about a year ago . Our discussion was about Rowland equipment and where I live in Oregon. I have been following this thread from day one and that new preamp must be something else. Guido you are a fine person and some of your replies show your great sense of humor. I look forward to hearing more about the Rowland when it is finally broken in. Now back to my humble CJ preamp.

Bob
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Hi Bob, great hearing from you. . . of course I do remember you!

I just popped down from the loft loft after listening to a couple of selections from my test CD. If Criterion is supposed to be doing strange things before it gets even better, it has not done it yet. Rather, it has just given me a perspective on how undisciplined live concert audiences can be. I knew there were a few thumps, kicks, coughs, and bow drops in Dvorak's 9th Symphony conducted by Bernstein with the Israel Philharmonic. . . but what I started to hear today is closer to unionized ribaldry. Funny thing is that I never knew that the major uhr-thump, probably caused by Bernstein losing his balance whilst cavorting on the podium as his usual self, is actually a profound semi-pitch boom. . . I am pretty sure not seeing it in the score, last time I examined it (grins!)

Funny thing is that I do not recall hearing the 2nd movement sounding so musical before. I recall mentioning other times the gradual cuivre in the brass fanfares of this piece. . . the difference is that today I heard the individual instruments of the brass section quite timprally distinct, attacking at different times, and breaking into cuivre at staggared times.

There is right now a narrow and fairly shallow peak in the mid low bass that appears in some string bass passages, but otherwise the growling pitch of the double basses is quite exciting.

I fully expect the sound to have closed in by tomorrow. . . we'll see.

Guido
brazcole
63 posts
 
Guidocorona,
I'm happy that you have received your Criterion. And as I don't speak English well I'm not shure if I understood right yours posts.
Let's see.
I think that at first you was expecting much more from the Criterion. Anyway, after some time you start to listen something that you never listening before. It's great, pal, because Capri, your prior device, is a very fine preamp.

Because of the Criterion, yesterday I went to MBL's dealer home. I'd want to listen to some MBL speaker, just because my B&W 802D is not at the Criterion level. I like the MBL 111 F Hybrid speakers. I bought in this visit the Cary 306 Pro, as he is also the Cary dealer.
All this because of the Criterion.

But I known what happened to you.

Before I left the dealer's home he put a disc in his phono device. I never had listen to a modern phono before.
It was wonderfull, it was amazing and etc. It looks like I was listening to a live concert just there, in front of me.

IMO you, BECAUSE OF YOUR PASSION for JRDG DEVICES, YOUR MIND was expecting a sound like a listen yesterday with this phono device. But it's impossible, man, because you NEVER, NEVER with a CD or HDCD or SACD will get some kind of perfection that you can get with a phono.

Enjoy.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Brazcole,

what I said was the contrary of what you understood. . . I was afraid that Criterion out of the box was going to be quite dull or strident or bad. I was instead surprised because it was very listenable and in an hour or 2 it sounded a little better than the Capri.

I am glad you enjoyed your phono/vinyl experience. Digital is fine for me.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Where's the review of the Olds cornet???

Dave
More to discover