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Rowland 625 versus Audio Research DS450

I'm a big fan of Rowland Products. I heard the 625 at CES and was rather impressed by its huge solid soundstage, and the detailed yet mellifluous sound. I was rather depressed by the price tag. I was hoping it would be in Rowland 501 range.

I also heard the Audio Research DS450 with Magnepans at CES. While the sound was very relaxed and tube like, I didn't hear as much bass, as I would have liked. Perhaps it was the speakers or the recordings played?

I noticed both manufacturers avoided the term Class D or "Ice Module" like the plague. I think Class D has become a dirty word among some audiophiles...

Any other thoughts on how the sound of the Rowland 625 compares to Audio Research's DS450?

I would like to save up for one of them. The DS450 or even DS225 seem like they might be "better bang for the buck" (in relative terms). Appreciate your comments. Tks!
optimus
optimus OP
28 posts
 
Thank you for the clarification!

So the 625 actually could be a refinement/evolution of Rowland's technology from both the Model 10/12 Amplifiers with some technology (e.g. power factor correction) from the Continuum?

I'm a non-engineer, so it is not so clear (to me) what may be new in this amp (compared to previous amps). I really liked the Model 10/12 Amps, which they discontinued just before I bought 201s. I've heard some people still swear by Rowland's Model 8 Amps...
lougiants
76 posts
 
Optimus - Did you prefer the 201's over the Model 10?
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
Optimus, I use model 102 and like it a lot. Icepower amps used by Rowland have SMPS that runs at about 50kHz providing regulated voltage. 625 has also SMPS of Jeff Rowland design that runs at 1MHz.
raquel
841 posts
 
I cannot directly respond to your question, not having heard either amp, but it's interesting to see that ARC is finally building a no-global-feedback amp (the Rowland is, too). The analog power supply is another reason for hope.

Regarding Rowland, the Model 2/6/8/9 vintage is generally considered the pinnacle of his designs - they featured battery power supplies and outrageous parts quality that today's much smaller market could not support.
optimus OP
28 posts
 
Hi Lougiants - I remember the Model 10's seemed more "lush" and tubelike, in comparison to the 201's. If there is one minor area lacking, the Model 10's did not seem to have as much bass control as the 201's.

I really liked "quickness", low level detail, mid-range and bass control of the 201's. I decided to go with 201's at the time, as I needed a meaty amp to control Thiel's. (And the 201's are nice and small...)

Hindsight being 20/20, I think I probably would have preferred the Model 10's (over the 201's) with a more efficient speaker. Subjectively, the 10's seem to have more "soul" or body than the 201's.

The 201's relatively is a more neutral amp, but nonetheless still musical. It's a matter of preference.
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