Jeff Rowland Sound

I own a JRDG 312 and am in love/lust with it! I wrote a capsule article on issue 188 of The Absolute Sound on the amp, part of a longer article on the Vienna Mahler V1.5 speakers.

The musicality, resolution, and authority of the device is -- at least for me -- truly enthralling. Even at RMAF last week the system containing JRDG 312 was my favorite.

Unfortunately I have not heard the JRDG 301 monoblocks yet. . . perhaps some of these days (sighs!)

Guido

Model 6 monos I have seen. . . but I have not heard yet.. My understanding from talking to Jeff Rowland himself, is that they may have been as involving as the newest 312 stereo, but perhaps not quite as revealing/transparent. Current JRDG offerings range in price between $1500 and $30,000. It is worth comparing sound of Model 6 to 312 and 301 only. . . lower end devices are of necessity design to meet a different price range and musically behave accordingly. G.

Rleff, the amp to compare to Model 6 in JRDG's current lineup is the 312. Unfortunately its price tag is commensurate with its highly musical performance. I was not as enthrolled with the performance of the 312's immediate predecessor, named 302. G.

Rleff, I have actually listened to Boulder 2060 and Rowland 312 for several hours in the same system while I was in Denver for RMAF. The amps were set up in the main showroom at Soundings Hifi, just across the parking lot from the Marriott hotel. The rest of the system consisted of: Boulder CD player, Boulder 2010 preamplifier, and Vienna Die Muzick speakers. Speakers had undergone considerable placement setup by Rod Tomson using the MasterSet methodology. All wiring reamined constant/consistent: a mix of Transparent and Analysis Plus.

It seemed a reasonably unanimous impression of all audiophiles present that 312 was preferrable to 2060 in the areas of overall musicality, transparency, micro resolution, harmonic exposure, linearity, extension, ease of listening. Where things really surprised everyone, is that 312 seemed to yield also greater macrodynamics and authority than Boulder. Conversely, Boulder 2060 and JRDG 312 seemed comparable in imaging and staging.

Unfortunately I have never heard Pass amps, so I can't comment.

G.

Fair enough, but it is worth pointing out that JRDG Model 2 was introduced 15 years ago in 1994 and was withdrawn in 1999. . . conversely Pass X30.5 has been out only for a much shorter spell, and is current production. Unfortunately technology, and with it sound reproduction, does evolve. G.

Daveyf, With which JRDG class D amps have you compared your Model 8? Guido

Hi Daveyf, your JRDG Model 8 vs 501 findings do not surprise me. JRDG 501 was a relatively early design using ICEpower, besides not being intended as a Model 8 follo-on. Have you tried Bel Canto Ref 1000 Mk.2? It is a more recent design perhaps, with a little more advanced power supply regulation. . . I suspect you may find those more musical than JRDG 501s.

As for other brands, I freely admit that my musical/sonic preferences are idiosyncratic. When I find other devices that I enjoy, I'll gladly talk about them. . . until such time, I am comfortable speaking about what does not play havoc with my musical enjoyment.

At this point I am intrigued by the potential of GamuT, Belles, an upcoming Wired4Sound reference device, and Chapter Audio. . . all more or less green energy efficient devices. If they turn out to be synergistic with my system and with my ears I'll definitely write about them. . . until such time, whoever insists reading my scribblings may have to bear with the little I know and love (grins!)

Hi Davef, I have no experience with Tenor and CAT. I have heard several times ARC tubed amps and thought them to be very nice. . . mainly Ref 220, VT-200, and also Lam hybrid monoblocks. Spent quite a bit of time in the VTL suite at RMAF: they used the new MB450 II monos and the sound was quite captivating. I spent an entire afternoon and evening at Albert Porter's place in Dallas: his system used VTL 750s at the time, and the sound was magnificent. Guido

Hi Kiwi, if I recall correctly, you tried the JRDG Continuum 500 integrated, which yields a max power of 500W over 8 Ohms and a peak output current of 40A. Which Griffin integrated did you use, and what is its maximum power and current throughput?

Saluti, Guido