ConiferDave, by coincidence, Sounding's Rod's Capri was in my system just a couple of weeks ago. He did the Master Set on my Mahlers and 'forced' me to listen to the Capri. . . what a harsh man! (Chuckles!) |
Has anyone compared the Rowland Capri and/or Concerto linestages with the Audio Research Ref 3? |
"sweetness and musicality of tubes with the drive and authority of solid state."
Pause, my sentiments exactly. May I quote you if I ever write a review of the Capri for TAS? I should add that the Capri's frequency extension is outstanding, and so is its harmonic richness. I am powering it through a Purist Anniversary PC. I am currently trying to gage the impact of the new JRDG PC1 external Power Correction Factor on Capri. My standard Linestage is the ARC Ref 3. My very initial and tentative impressions is that Capri by itself may compare favorably to Ref 3. Capri being this good, I can only wonder how the upcoming statement level JRDG Criterion is going to sound like. |
The Master Set optimizes the interaction between your speakers and your room. . . I thought my Mahlers sounded already good as I had 'set them up' by my own self. I was kindly disabused of that notion. While there is nothing magical or Newagish about the entire process, in effect the final result is quasi. . . Magical.
Yes, it would appear the Capri is extremely extended at both ends. Not sure if you could classify it as 'tuby' in the midrange though. I cannot detect an emphasis of midrange fundamentals per se or of subjective 'warmth' that I would not be personally wild about. Rather, I am hearing more harmonic texture than I am used to, which subjectively to me sounds 'musical'. The Capri I have in the system right now is apparently straight out of the factory. . . . how it will sound after 500 hrs of stout breakin can be only left as an exercise to my feverish imagination. |
All, I am now feeding the JRDG Capri a steady diet of 384V DC through the JRDG PC1 PFC unit with very intriguing initial results. I have just started a new didicated thread if anyone were interested. . .
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1208046462&openmine&zzGuidocorona&4&5#Guidocorona
Guido |
Capri and Concerto internals are extremely different--Capri being a brand new design based on TI Burr Brown OPA1632. However, not having had the opportunity of a direct a/b audition, I am not in a position of offering my own comparative findings. Rather, I have contrasted the Capri with the ARC Ref 3 for about 3 months and currently prefer Capri on most all audible parameters, in particular for extension, bass control, overall linearity, low level detail, harmonic development. Macro dynamics is comparable. Slightly more romantic and slightly darker the Ref 3 than Capri. Overall two great pres for slightly different musical tastes. I have posted some more detailed findings in other related threads on Audiogon. |
Rgs92, I am not familiar with the Edge NL12.1. Having said that, as the Capri has very low output impedance of 80Ohm balanced and 40Ohms single ended, there is a very good chance that synergy will be good. Guido |
Clio09, I am even more conservative than Dave about Capri's breakin. . . mine has continued to sweeten and open up for over 3 months. . . I estimate that breakin time may be as much as 800 hrs before Capri stabilizes. after 100 or 150 hrs Capri will be quite good, but will be far from being at its best. A critical comparison with your current pre would still be premature with 150 hrs on it. G. |
Hi again Clio, interesting you use VAC: Capri has same output impedance of 40Ohms SE and 80Ohms balanced as VAC Ren II pre. I suspect impedance match will be quite good. What I am not sure is if VAC is differentially balanced or simply has XLR inputs. . . may make a difference on Capri performance. Guido |
Congrats Clio, I found that my own Capri kept opening up throughout 4 months of heavy usage. I recommend that you put about 1,000 hours of playing time on it yourself before you decide what the creature does for living. By the way, you should leve it on at all times, unless there were thunderstorm or other heavy weather. . . . just do not expect 'midrange bloom'. . . you won't find it, even after 1000 hrs. . . . authority, definition, extension, and harmonic complexity will come in very gradually. |
I believe Capri MSRP may be $2595 in black and $2795 in silver. . . I will check tomorrow and will correct any error. Guido |
Well thank you Bill for the info, very much appreciated. Guido |
"Well, I've had my capri running for close to a 1000 hours
and it sounds fantastic."
Thank you Pause, your finding validates my own. . . it takes an inordinate amount of time for the Capri to shine. . . probably about 1000 hours or more. . . but once it has finally stabilized, extreme patience is rewarded. . . Capri is an amazing pre! |
Hi Ckoffend, I agree with you. . . the Capri does not sound tube-like to me either. But I do confess that I am not necessarily seeking a tube-like sound. How many hours of playing time have you put on your Capri since you received it? G |
Pinkus, I agree with you about Capri not being a tube surrogate. Only its general lack of 'grain' reminds me a little of some tube designs. While I do admit that I personally prefer Capri over Ref 3 based on a few parameters that are important to me, I must stress that this is purely a matter of a narrowly defined a/b 'preference', and never one of Capri inherently 'being better' than anything else, or by extension. . . it being an 'absolute best.' G. |
Pause, you may not be the only one holding on to the Capri. . . if the drying up of used Capris offered on Agon is any indication, it looks like more and more audiophile may be finally ketching on that this is a great linestage, regardless of physical size and moderate price.
In the meantime, new Capris are shipping briskly from the factory. G. |
