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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
pinkus
144 posts
 
Guido, don't be anxious. These stories always have a very predictable ending. My prediction is that you will love the Criterion above all others, and it will be your new reference. It will allow you to hear things from your recordings that you have never heard before. You will create an emotional connection with music like never before.

Have I listened to the Criterion you might ask. Nope, never. Don't have to, to know how this movie ends :-)

Enjoy and cheers !
jimjoyce25
215 posts
 
Since you have two chassis, you're breaking in not only the preamp, but interconnect and the power supply as well. These are probably complex interactions.
maril555
619 posts
 
This thread reminds me of the "Preamp deal of the Century" thread.
Close to 250 posts BEFORE the preamp actually hit the market.
Remarkable.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Thank you JimJoice, you are correct in that the twin power/data pigtails are shipped with the preamplifier, as such I am definitely breaking those in together with the pre. The ICs and power cord are Furutech Evolution II that I have used in the system since 1st quarter. Rather, as the pre has a lot of transformers (power management, input stages, output stages), I have been told that it may take particularly long to stabilize.

Pinkus, I thank you for your optimism. Of course, in the end, I hope that I will truly enjoy this device. I will try as much as I can to document what excites me, what does not, and most of all, why. If nothing else, I hope that this exercise will help yours truly to clarify the modalities of his own cheery audiophilic obsessions. G.
brazcole
63 posts
 
Yesterday I ask the MBL and Cary dealer to bring to my home the flagship SLP 05 pre-amplifier from Cary to compare with the Criterion. He was excited with the challenge, but after the session he said the Criterion has a more transparency sound and to beat the Jeff Roland only the MBL's top of the line, the USD 20k 6010 pre-amplifier.
Anyway, IMO, the Criterion will beat this device as well.
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