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Sonic Frontier Line One with Class D Amp?

I am putting together my 1st dedicated 2 Channel System.
After stripping down my Home Theater I am left with a Pair of B&W Matrix 802S3 Speakers. Yesterday I purchased a Sonic Frontiers Line One Preamp, now I need an amp. My budget is $750 to $1000. (Preferable closer to $750)

I am leaning towards Class D Amps,mostly because I figure I can get my best bang for the buck with Class D. Right now I am leaning towards a Bel Canto S300 or Jeff Rowland Model 102. Does anyone have any opinions on how one of these Class D Amps would match up with my Sonic Frontiers Line One and B&W Matrix 802S3??

Thanks

Robbie



My Budget is $750.00 to $1000.00. (Preferably closer to $750)
robbier
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Rowland 102 specs are at:
http://jeffrowland.com/M102.htm
The 102 has an input impedance of 40KOhms, this is high enough to make it compatible with most preamplifiers. . . what is the output impedance of your pre?
The damping factor of 102 appears to be 1000, which should enable it to drive speakers with fluctuating impedance curves without issues. On the other hand, I do not know what the power handling characteristics of your speakers may be. . . 102 can generate 11 Amps and 100W into 8Ohms and 200W into 4Ohms. Guido
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
Robbie - I cannot comment on synergy with Sonic Frontiers but I have Rowland Model 102. At the time I bought it it was $1500 while Bel Canto S300 was $1600. Not only that Rowland has great reputation and is known for beautiful cases but also one review claims that S300 performance improved by adding anti-resonance footing. Rowland case is milled ou from solid piece of aluminum - no resonance likely. Model 102 has only XLR inputs (S300 has both) and speaker Cardas style clamp that does not accept bananas.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Robbie, if you need to use RCA connections, the Rowland factory can supply XLR2RCA conversion adapters for the 102. However, 102 is likely to perform better in a balanced configuration using XLR interconnects, if your pre were also balanced. Guido
robbier OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the responses.
Guidocorona
According to my manual the Output Impedance of my Sonic Frontiers Line One is, 300 ohms balanced output, 150 ohms single-ended (unbalanced)

Kijanki it seems on the used Market the Jeff Rowland Costs about $100 more than the S300 these days. I would prefer a the 102, but there is only one listed on Audiogon, and the ad terms are "USA Only" and I am in Canada.

Thanks
Robbie
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