06-02-08: Tvad said:
"I require a fixed level output, like that in a tape loop output. I cannot use a line level output to the transceiver."
Ok, the Capri doesn't have that.
Dave |
I think that the current Capri are Criterion are the pre-amps to consider for you Pass amps. Read Guidocorona's review of the Capri. Word of mouth has the Capri on equal footing or better with most of JRDG's prior efforts, as line stages. One of the prior pre-amps is noted for one of the best phono stages ever, unfortunately I forget which. The Capri's phono-stage, which is shared with my Continuum 500 intergrated, is very good.
The Criterion is the current no-holds-barred effort, with battery power (rechargeable). I haven't heard it yet, but if it's better than the Capri, then it's really something else.
Guido favorably compares the Capri with Power Factor Correction added to his ARC Ref 3. The interface with your Pass should not be any issue.
If you've got a line on used JRDG pre-amps, then the more recent models, as you reference, are probably the best bets. I haven't heard Jeff's very early designs, but many have written that they tended to be pretty warm sounding. (Not an advantage in my book).
Dave |
The spec sheet for the Criterion shows 40 ohm input impedance, Balanced and Unbalanced and Output is 60 ohms Balanced and Unbalanced. The Capri Input is 48 ohms Balanced and Unbalanced while output is 80 ohms Balanced and 40 ohms Unbalanced.
Those impedances are reasonably close to the Pass. I can understand why a recording engineer would be concerned with Unity Gain and exact impendance matching, but for audiophile products I believe that we just need to be in the same range. Correct me if I'm wrong. These levels are so close that it's a matter of turning volume to 75.7 vs. 73, or some similar small difference.
Dave |
05-25-08: Arupg asked:
"Can someone tell me whether the Synergy 2i or the Coherence 2 with separate Rec outputs can be used as a tape loop for using a signal processor."
See http://www.jeffrowland.com/ClassicPreamps.htm for details about Rowland "classic" pre-amps.
Dave |
Arupg asked:
"...Do the JRDG pre have any particular sonic signatures that manipulate the overall sonics?"
Speaking only to the Capri, there's no signature, IMHO. It's transparent, detailed, stress free, with solid lows and sweet, open highs. There's no etching of the highs, but neither are they rolled off. In contrast, my prior Conrad Johnson was "golden" and slightly darker in overall color. The Capri with acoustic bass you hear the air around the strings and the rosin on the bow, at the same time you hear the woody body of the bass.
So, I think that the Capri passes the sources onto the amp(s) with great accuracy, bottom to top.
Dave |
Rowland calls the Capri "basic" for a reason. Alas, the Criterion has all the bells and whistles, but it's going to be $18k.
Dave |
I use the bypass on my Continuum to send a line-level signal to my headphone amp. I think you could use the Capri's bypass to send that signal to your transceiver. There's not as much room on the back of the Capri, so you'll have to look at the manual Guido's sending you to see if there's both unbalanced and balanced.
Dave |
Yes Tvad, you can use both Line Outs at the same time with the Capri. The Bypass Input can be used as a third input for your Transceiver which, in turn from what I understand, can accept additional inputs. So you've got three line level inputs on the Capri ("1" can be converted to phono) and two line level outputs that can be used simultaneously.
You can control the volume of both outputs from the Capri, but they'll both be at the same level. If you want different volumes in different locations, then you'll need at least one remote volume control.
Dave |
Yes, the old manuals for the Synergy and Coherence are still on the web site. I believe that the Critereon will have similar functionality and more. Rowland considers the Capri his base preamp.
Dave |
The Capri is not "lean, bright and foward" if that helps, but neither is it "laid back".
Think neutral, detailed, transparent, uncolored, dynamic and quick. Also think revealing. So, if your sources are good and stress free and you have good ICs and cables, then you're likely to love it.
Dave |
Yeah, I think the key is not to count on a Capri to round off any sharp edges already in the system. Certain ICs and speaker cables can make a system sound hard edge and/or congested. The Capri will reveal such a weakness, rather than sweep it under the rug or cover it up.
Dave |
Please realize that Guido is talking about the nth degree of refinement taking 500-hours to shine through. If you'll look back at his early impressions of the Capri and my early impression of my Continuum 500 (which uses the Capri's pre-circuit) you'll see that we were both very favorably impressed very early on.
Yes, it does improve with more hours, but it's good after the first hour and very good at 100-hours, then amazing at 500+. At least that's the way I see it.
Dave |
For instance, I just got off the phone with another new Capri owner. He's ordered his with the phono stage and borrowed my inverse-RIAA board to burn in his Capri's phono circuits. He got put just 60 hours on it and says it's surpassing his Levinson and Sutherland dedicated phono stages already!!! This guy can afford whatever he wants and has spent tens of thousands on pre-amps over the years.
He's going out of town so he's returned the board. I told him to call me when he gets back in July to put another hundred or so hours on and he'll be even more amazed.
This is a "bar none" kind of product, so don't let it's small size and low cost fool you.
Dave |
That Pre 3 will almost certainly "work". What you have to ask yourself is do you want one of the very best pres available at any price, or a good pre for a bargain price. Either is appropriate and only you and your wallet can decide.
Dave |
