Best amp to Partner with Jeff Rowland Criterion

david, you may need an amp that yields more than 40 amps peak in balanced output mode, or more than 90 amps in the more common single ended output mode. With the new Rowland offerings, the 925 mono and the future 825 will likely do what you need, but it is unlikely that the 625 will even match the throughput of 312. In the current JRDG lineup, the 301 monos will give you 90 Amps per side, more than twice the 312. One other amp I am very curious about is the new monoblocks from Chapter Audio. . . like JRDG 300 series, they are based on ICEpower 1000 power conversion modules, and like all current JRDG higher end amps, they use a combination of active PFC and SMPS. . . have not heard them yet, but have seen them at RMAF and they look gorgeous. . . I hope to be able to review them in the not so far future for PFO.

It's worth pointing out that, the Criterion having an output impedance of 60 Ohms, it really does not matter what amps it drives.

Guido

Kawika, as you known I'm not a audio expert, but as my 312 has a very strong bass, maybe you have a loudspeaker problem.

I think when you say the 312 "is NOT the last word in dynamic capability and low end frequency extention", you mean the bass, right?

I have the B&W 802D and I love the bass im my loudspeakers from my 312.

David, I'm thinking that Osvaldo might have a valid point. I'd really be curious to have you listening to my setup. . . X-01 + Criterion + 312 + Vienna Mahler 1.5 is anything but anemic in the bass region. But I have also found that my setup is very sensitive to all forms of cabling and conditioning.

Guido, I think when you say "anemic" you mean something like "weak". Humm... I like the 312's bass region.

And, because of this, I could suggest for anyone who has the 312 and want to change for the mono 925, don't do that and use a biamplification set up with the future 825 and the Model 312. As you, Guido.

And al$$o better in the money way.

Sorry Osvaldo for the confusion, what I meant to say is that in my system, the bass of 312 does not sound weak at all. Last night I put on Dvorak's New World Symphony under Leonard Bernstein and the Israel Philharmonic, and the initial low brass chorale in the 2nd movement was simply hair-raising in its power. . . David, when are you coming for a visit?

An 825 stereo + 312 stereo byamped combination would be very intriguing. . . the only problem is that I have truly no idea when the 825 will be released.