Jeff Rowland Synergy IIi versus Capri and Corus?

Tks Mark! I currently have Rowland 201s and Thiel 2.4's, with the Synergy IIi. (I see you have Cambridge 840W monos.)

Just curious... do you think I'd be better off upgrading the preamp side of my system (Synergy IIi) or the amp side first?
The Rowland 625 looks pretty interesting...

I know this is sometimes pretty system dependent.
But it seems like you got a pretty big improvement from the Corus preamp alone. Appreciate your thoughts.

I'll recommend you go with the Rowland 625 upgrade. I've owned the 201, 501 + PC1 and now the 625; all the time keeping the Synergy IIi. You will find improved low's, definitely better resolution and detail moving upwards the chain. I'm not sure if its an upgrade if you go with the Capri preamp, my dealer when I enquired about the Capri recommended that I stay with the Synergy IIi. Have a listen at your dealer or better still get a home trial, quite an investment so trust your ears.

Tks Dtanclim! I have a feeling that I'll have to start saving up the pennies quite soon, as initial impressions (such as yours) have been very positive on the 625.

The Corus will likely have to wait for another day... To make matters worse, Rowland just had to come out with a new Dac! I have to win the lottery soon.

Optimus - tough question since I don't have any experience with the 201. But I did have a similar dilemma because I was overall very happy with the Synergy IIi - so I was in fact considering an amplifier upgrade. I eventually decided that upgrading the preamp first based on the logic that the 840W amplifiers are very good (and well reviewed to boot), that if there is any short-fall in the quality of an upstream component, then that will limit the overall potential of the whole system. So I followed my gut instinct and upgraded the preamp based on the assumption that the 840W amplifiers were not primary limitation in my system.
I must admit was surprised at the difference the Corus made because I did not perceive that the Synergy IIi to have any significant faults. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to borrow a BPS battery supply that did lower the noise floor of the Synergy IIi. So that was the one area I expected some improvement. My surprise was the additional detail, deeper bass, improved dynamics and more precise imaging from the Corus.
But do note that I still think the Synergy IIi is a great preamp with a big inviting soundstage. Finally more detail, bass, and dynamics does necessarily not equate to more musicality – I still believe that the Synergy IIi can hold it’s own in that respect.

Mark - Thank you for your observations and thought process on the Corus and Synergy IIi. Both your and Dtanclim's comments lead me to believe that Rowland's technology has improved on both the amp and preamp side, by no small measure. Assuming I can find a dealer in my state, hopefully they'll be nice enough to let me compare...
Finding the right system synergy is fun and frustrating!