2. amps-preamps
  3. 1265829919

From anthem/pse to rowland seperates?

Alright guys, I generally come here to hear what you have to say about gear. I currently have an Anthem PRE1 and a set of PSE studio V monoblocks running my Infinity RSIIs. I love the speakers, they are staying... Source is a boulder modified squeezebox and a turntable that I may never finish assembling (no arm yet).

I am considering stepping up the front end on my system after hearing the difference in the boulder modded squeeezbox vs. the stock unit. The Infinitys are a pain to drive, and that is the one reason I would consider giving them up...

A friend of mine has a Rowland Model 5a & Consummate preamp for sale. It would cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,200 to buy them both. Ill be honest, this is a sum of money I have never even considered spending on gear.

Would this be a huge upgrade from what I am currently using? He says yes.. and I do believe him. It is a very difficult choice to make since audition is not in the realm of possibility.

Is there some other gear I should be looking at? I do have a lazarus balanced preamp and a 200/200 that need service. Would they be an upgrade from the anthem/pse combo?

Thanks guys, just looking around for suggestions. I don't have the money handy so it would have to be a "save up" kinda deal.

Evan
240z4u
240z4u OP
32 posts
 
Since everyone here seems to like the PSE amps as well, I am going to send them off to get tested and re-polished if needed. My buddy thought highly of them as well.

I see a preamp upgrade in my future. I am working on the repair of my lazarus balanced preamp. 12ax7s and 6dj8s. Ill report back if I can get this thing running.

I appreciate the insight.

Evan
Ag insider logo xs@2x
porschecab
336 posts
 
Evan - I would dump the PSE V's - get into something else. By the way, when you do, let me know so I can take ownership of those V's to mate with the pair I already have and would never get rid of!
Dan
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
evan....i have to laugh, cause that little lazurus is killer too. i was gonna mention audible illusions, musical design, magus, bruce moore, and van alstine as some under- priced-over-achievers...but you're way ahead of most contemporary mega-buck-bling systems.... keep the faith.
240z4u OP
32 posts
 
Dan, please send me an email so I have your contact information in case I do decide to sell them. I appreciate your sarcasm. I have a lonely PSE studio II monoblock if you need a center channel amp.

Jaybo, the lazarus amp is going into a shop in chicago that is near my brothers place. It is a 200/200 and I am fixing the preamp. I fat fingered it and blew up a couple transistors in the B+

Thanks for the encouragement.

Evan
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