Jeff Rowland Model 1


Came across this little beauty at a used stereo store. Should I pick it up? I am on a strict budget just starting a new system. The seller wants 900 bucks. Any thoughts on this amp?
jeffvegas

Showing 5 responses by mrdecibel

George, I am with you, not questioning you at all...Following the few posts by the OP, it appears he owns Maggies. A friend of his has ML, and purchased a Model 1.......The OP does not like mosfets either, including Pass......Opinions vary, experiences vary, likes and dislikes in this hobby vary. George, you are one of my favorite people here on the " Gon......all good, my friend....Always, and Enjoy ! MrD.
Here is another perspective...Although it was a great amp in it’s day ( well built, single ended and balanced, switchable input impedance, bridge capability, ran the driver stage continuously, unless the rear power switch was off, during a vacation period, dc coupled, etc. ) and yes, on the warm side of things ( in fact, I thought it to be dark sounding ), it is almost 30 years old, and I feel, with the new generation of amplifiers, it is worth getting, if, Jeff Rowland, or someone with a good technical background, can do a complete rebuild, which will not be cheap. And I say, why bother. My Krell KSA 50 was so much better, to me......which sold, new, for less than the model 1. I have thought many amplifiers, by Aragon, McCormack, Pass designs, and several others, more recent and for less money, bettered it. My belief, is amplifiers should be purchased to match the speakers it will be driving, and I am into " easily driven " speakers, not needing an amplifier to " double down " as georgie states. I recently went through my closest ( s ) during the last 3 years, and sold the majority of my collection, for a few reasons. Most of them, although excellent, sounded dark, and lacked detail, compared to some newer, more recent designs. 2nd, I am, although an amplifier junkie, feel, Class D will be the way of the future...OH O, georgie is here.....just some things to think about. So I say....nay....as, you asked...the decision is of course, yours.......please, no hard feelings, to you, or anyone posting here. Enjoy ! MrD.
Wow....MOSFETS are for car stereo ? Really ? Mosfet mist ? Weak in the bass department ? A well designed mosfet amp, as I own many, do a very good job, at doing what I expect them to do, and would take any of them, over the Rowland Model 1. But, go buy, and enjoy, that amp, with much happy listening. YMMV, is the best, I can say.......MrD.
George, as usual, you are talking about drive capability (specs ), into extreme low impedance loads. ( 1 ) I would never own a speaker such as that ( 2 ) There are many fine mosfet designs out there ( 3 ) You obviously feel tube amps are not very good, because they, too, cannot handle the extreme low impedance loads ( 4 ) jeffvegas is your new best friend ( 5 ) Amps using either bipolars or mosfets, can sound wonderful ( 6 ) Mosfets need to be driven differently than bipolars ( at least, this is my understanding ). Not every designer knows how to work with mosfets ( 7 ) Mosfet designs sound closer to tubes, which is a good thing, to many ( 8 ) As I said......to each his own....ymmv... .Enjoy ! MrD.