Jeff Rowland Model 501 - Help ...

I had trouble with FM reception with my Rowland 201 monos. I finally solved the problem by going with a FM Reflect antenna from C.Crane Co. and setting it up as far as possible from the amps (about 4 feet). Even at that distance I had to adjust it several times to finally get a signal. I am using a Sangean HD radio tuner but had the trouble with a Sony tuner as well.

Thank you very much for your comment. You saved me from having a lot of trouble. I wonder only how they get all these certifications, when having such a product ... ?

Dejanm

Any amplifier radiates - even linear one. The question is amount of it. I have Rowland 102 directly under TV and I don't see any evidence of it. I tried different analog (and digital) channels - some with very weak signal and I cannot see any difference between amp ON and OFF (unplugged).

Class D produces about 1% of the carrier noise on the speaker cable. This carrier is about 0.5MHz and the speaker cable is a very bad antenna to radiate is (way too short). At this frequency 1/4 wave antenna is about 500 feet. Once you get under 1/8 wave antenna becomes very ineffective. It is also matter of distance of course. Capacitive coupling might be another problem if you have poorly shielded (or not shielded) IC or antenna cable.

Jeff Rowland decided to put only balanced input on my 102 amp - very mature decision.

I mentioned that any amp radiates. Linear amp (any amp) takes its power from mains in very short current spikes of huge amplitude. These narrow spikes contain some amount of radio frequencies and can contaminate audio as well (that's why power cord shielding is so important).

If you cannot audition 501s try any other Icepower - they sound very similar. If I would buy class D again I would probably go either for the Rowland with power factor factor correction unit inside (like extra power supply) or second generation of Bel Canto Ref1000 (mk II) that has similar addition inside. If you need integrated - go for Continuum 500 that has great Capri preamp and Power Factor Correction unit built inside (great bargain). Power Factor correction unit alone (works with 102, 201, 501 etc) is $1500.