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Jeff Rowland

I was reading in Stereophile about how the older Jeff Rowland Amps sounded great and were classics. The writer said Rowland was good up to the Concentra II but not the Concerto and anything with "rounded corners." I think the Concertos were where JR started using class D amps. Is that the case? Do all models use Class D now?

I'm sure I don't want anything with class D at this time as many reviewers have commented on the treble as being glassy or something wrong with the sound of it. The highs are what make or break a piece for me so I'm not going anywhere near Class D right now but am considering giving Rowland a try for a third system I'm building.
wireless200
brauser
526 posts
 
I recently went with the Rowland 501s (class D) and the Capri preamp. This has been a definite upgrade to the very fine Audio Research gear that I had been using. An added plus has been the great reduction of heat coming off of the componets. I believe there are really no compromises to properly designed Class D equipment.
mitchchavis
87 posts
 
Funny, I was just reading the article you mention but you are confusing the Plinius recommendation with the Rowland recommendation. In the article John Marks recommends early model Rowland products through the Concentra II and also recommends all Plinius pre-curved casework excluding the "baby" integrated amps, giving special praise to the 8150/8200 integrated amps.
I can't comment on the digital amps being left out. I haven't had the opportunity to listen to them.
raquel
841 posts
 
Look for Models 2, 6, 8 or 9. The Model 6 monoblocks and Model 2 stereo amp, particularly when run from the Rowland battery power supplies, are superb amps (at used prices, they are incredible).

Yes, all Rowland amps are now based around the ICe module.
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