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Jeff Rowland 501s burn in ... a strange experience

I have received today my monoblocs 501 and borowed a ML 39:
ML 39
NBS monitor III
Capri
NBS Monitor III
monoblocs 501
NBS Monitor IV
Infinity Renaissance 90

around 2:p.m (Europe) I have installed the system:
sound very detailed, beautifull soundstage imaging & focus, great energy,
on the negative side, some high frequencies too harsch a little bit venomous

6 hours later (system working all the time) complete change ... do the monoblocs suffer jet lag? ... ;-)

the sound has become very fat and heavy, has the energy of a sleepy hypopotamus, everything is slow, too warm, without focus, like coming from bad tube components ...

from one extreme to another... how is that possible, so extreme, I am ???

any suggestions?

thanks
clavil
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Clavil, the glib answer would be. . . take 2 Aspirins and call me in 6 months.

Here is a more useful answer. . . all new amps need real playing time break-in. . . during this time sound will fluctuate wildly. Different types of amps require different break in times. Seems that amps that operate at lower temperatures require longer break in time. Most class D Rowland amps require about 1,000 hours of REAL playing time to reach peak performance. You should also leave your Capri pre and 501 amps always turned on. . . this is JRDG's recommendation.

Once the amps are broken in, you may want to consider a pair of JRDG PC1 PFC external modules. . . they should yield greater authority and greater subtlety to the sound. Power cords should probably be after that. G.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Clavil, I have developed a fun to use Excel spreadsheet that helps with equipment break in tracking/logging. Drop me a note if you'd like to try it out. G on the 501 break in.
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
Aren't power cords all about eliminating AC line noise? Doesn't it make sense that the DC signal proceeding from the PC-1 to the Rowland amps would have no need for and could not benefit from a power cord upgrade?
I thought the primary purpose of the PC-1 was to provide a cleaner, quieter, stiffer current to the downstream appliances.
And wouldn't it be advisable to break in the 501s and the PC-1
concurrently, rather than sequentially? The latter just adds to the already cumbersome break-in period.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Hi Macro, the answer is. . . it depends. From an efficiency point of view, yes it's a good idea to break in PC1 and amps at the same time. From a financial point of view instead. . . it depends. As for power cords feeding a PC1. . . common sense would suggest that a PC should not have an effect on a PC1. . . reality is different, and power cords affect the sound of at least the JRDG Capri even when a PC1 is interposed. And if you ask, the answer is no, the PC1 IMO should not be used on a linestage like Capri. . . it is only recommended for high power applications. G
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
Guido - You should get in touch with Jeff and let him know about your "findings". He thinks the Capri benefits from the PC-1.
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