Husk, I have not compared C-03 and Criterion in the same system. From 3rd party comments, I have heard that C-03 is extremely musical, transparent, and smooth, but may yield only moderate authority. What I can tell you for a fact is that authority is one of the exceptionally strong points of Criterion.
From an architecture point of view, C-03 is a single ended design, with balanced inputs and outputs recreated using transformers. Transformers are also used in Criterion, which is however completely balanced in-circuit.
C-03 supports a certain amount of input and output level adjustments, but I have the impression that Criterion may be more complete from this point of view, as all Criterion inputs support offsets adjustments. Specifically, Each input can be assigned an independent gain offset in 0.5dB increments, ranging from -10dB to +10db, for a maximum possible offset of 20dB. Offset adjustments can be assigned from both the main control panel and from the remote control transmitter. Any of its inputs can be assigned to Theater bypass. An output gain adjustment is also available on one of the RCA outs with the same granularity and range.
Another interesting feature of Criterion is it has 2 completely separate preamplifier circuits inside. . . one serves all main outputs, while a 2nd one serves the record outputs, and its volume is set separately. The idea is that Criterion can control 2 completely different music environments. . . from separate sources to output in different areas of the house.
And of course, Criterion has dual AC/battery operations, while C-03 is AC only.
The power supply of Criterion is an SMPS with built in passive power factor correction (PFC) and several level of regulation and isolation. I suspect it is the primary cause of the Device's apparent insensitivity to power cords. C-03 I believe may utilize a toroidal power supply. I have not heard reports of power cord insensitivity about C-03.
Of course, until I hear the devices side by side, much of the above is of theoretical value.
Guido
