Rowland preamps??????

By coincidence, I still have also an ARC LS2B, which I used for 10 years before getting the ARC Ref 3, and then the Capri after that. . . The LS2B is the most 'golden' sounding of the group. . . the Ref 3 is in the middle. . . and the Capri the most neutral. . . it all depends on your prefs. G.

My favorite in the Rowland line up is the Coherence One preamp. Very difficult to find today, and wish I had never sold the one I had. Reference caliber preamp with few peers.

Ferrari, have you ever heard the Coherence II? and if you have, could you comment on the differences between the 2 versions? G.

Thanks for your feedback, all. I checked out your thread from last year on the Capri vs. the Ref3. Sounds like th Capri outperforms most of the older JRDG preamps. I took some notes while shopping over the past week, and there was a Capri for sale. It must've sold cause I can't find it.....go figure:))

I owned an LS-2mkii a long time ago, and was very happy with it also, Guido. They went for around $850.00 back then. Hrd to believe this old tech is actually going up in value. I understand the LS-5 is also a tremendous pre, but the one on A'gon is listed for $2300.00!! These are almost 20 year old designs!?

I guess I'll just keep my eyes open. I got very excited about the Capri. The BAT "house" sound has always seemed like something to suit my tastes....liquid, lush, and dynamic. Perhaps a VK-31se if I could find one in my price range. There's a VK3ix-se listed, but ZI can't find much info on it. Does anyone know if this was well recieved in the press? Has anyone heard it?

Trank, VK52SE is the only BAT linestage I am familiar with. It sounded to me on the more classic side of tube sound, with bass extension that was warmer and a little less defined than Ref 3, and with treble that would get stressed on orchestral fff. Yet, an incredibly captivating sound in its own right. . . it is really a matter of what one prefers. . .'Romantic' or 'neutral'. . . there is no right nor wrong. My preference is for neutrality with 'heart', hence my happiness with Capri. You are right about Capris having disappeared on Agon. . . or almost. . . there is one being offered in combination with 201 monos. . perhaps you can persuade the seller to let go of Capri alone. . . but I am positive that within a couple of weeks you will see a Capri or 2 for sale once again. Guido