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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
audiozen
831 posts
 
Optimus..looking more closely into the interior of the Audio Research DS 450M does not reveal very much make up such as extensive circuit boards and parts. A little on the skimpy side. A lot of caps and minimal board work. For $10K I wonder if one is paying more for a name than whats in the unit. Overall, the Bel Canto Reference 1000M MK.2 is the better value with more power at $ 6K a pair, and 500 watts rms. The Bel Canto peaks at 45 amperes and the Audio Research peaks at 35 amperes. The Bel Canto is on the warm side and I would think the AR as well since its voiced from their tube amps.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Audiozen, class D amps tend to achieve a high degree of circuit integration/miniaturization. While a very busy internal topology can yield a certain degree of pride of ownership all by itself, I much prefer to evaluate amps according to what they can do for me musically/sonically, rather than on the impressiveness of parts count.

The suggestion of evaluating DS450 against the well known and loved Bel canto ref1000M is an excellent one, as DS450's price tag fits somewhere in between Bel Canto REF1000M monos and Rowland M625 Stereo.

Specs alone suggest that ARC DS450, with 450W with 35A of peak current, might yield a larger stage and instrumental images than Rowland M625, which delivers a more modest 300W with a peak current of approx 20A. However, in the end, only sustained direct comparisons can tell the real story.

G.

audiozen
831 posts
 
Optimus..Class D is a threat to a traditional transfer function topology that has been around for sixty years. Many of the established High End component companies are not in a position to re-format. If a class D product has a large enough power supply and high peak amperage, it will equal the best A or A/AB amps. Large volumes of current is what should be focused on. If a class D device can provide
the same volume of current on the long and short term as a 100 to 200 lb. conventional amp, then the class D amp is a superior product. The three best class D amps on the market are the Spectron Musician 111 MK.2 with the deluxe V-Cap upgrade, which is a second option over the standard V-Cap upgrade, which Simon can explain, the new Nuforce Reference 18's, and the Bel Canto Reference 1000M MK. 2..these amps have won the battle..Game Over....
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
Given the very diverse interpretations of the term "best" in the world of audiophilia, I suggest listeners interested in class D also may want to extend their audition at least to the newer H2O implementations, the now withdrawn Rowland M312, current/recent production Rowland M301, and of course the new ARC DS450. It is very difficult to tell a priori what sound may make a particular person 'click' into Nirvana, let alone declare the ultimate winner of the 'battle'. G.
audiozen
831 posts
 
Guidocorona..the two factor's I look at for class D is the ampere output, and the db level the amp can achieve before signal break up occurs. The Bel Canto's can be taken all the way up to 130 db's before strain occurs. That's damn impressive. Sonically, class D amps that have high DB and ampere numbers will always sound sonically superior especially on the bottom. The most exciting future class D product coming out in 2012, is the Wyred 4 Sound four piece mono amps. The goal is to top Bel Canto. The amps will be a separate mono chassis with a separate power supply foe each side. It will give Spectron a run for the money.
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