If you like Wilson sound it might make more sense to first upgrade to Sophia or Sasha before dealing with preamp thing.
Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC
Hello, I am new to this forum but I have a question. I am trying to pair an amp + DAC with my Wilson Sabrinas. I have listened to Jeff Rowlands integrated with the Aeris DAC. And the VAC Sigma integrated with the Aeris DAC. Price is a factor and so is space. Does the 625 need a pre-amp? Any suggestions or thoughts?
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Jon2020 was right! SWCRABVHWI! You are a great bunch. In a way you all held my hand and walked me through what seemed like a difficult but exciting journey. I really value your input and support. It was like having really good friends who I could talk to. All through the process you were kind and thoughtful. Once again, THANK YOU ALL very much. And thank you for the birthday wishes. July 4th was a big day for me here in Canada. I am now a proud owner of a JR 625 S2 amp and Aeris DAC. It is a great amp. I am very happy. This is something I can live with and build upon. Maybe add a tube amp or the JR Corus down the line. I will start a thread when that time comes. LOL. So, I guess this thread comes to a happy ending — and everyone lives happily ever after. R |
Hi RinPoche, Richard of course is correct. If your M625 S2 is factory-fresh, you can expect it to evolve for as much of 1500 hours. It is quite likely that during the first 500 hours or so you might experience days in which the sound is strangely anomalous... perhaps dark or univolving... These dips are short term. The overall trend is towards purity, subtlety, and resolution. By about 800 hours, the break-in progress becomes asymptotic, with progressive tapering of sonic evolution towards completion. Guido |
That's good, you settled it. Don't be so sure - you may not like our faces. Hear from you next year, about the preamp, if you feel you need it. There is an old Gryphon preamp here right now. I wonder, how would it work with your Rowland? No, it's not a suggestion and frankly I have no idea how and if it would work. Have any of you people ever tried this or similar combination? |
I am having the best time!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it. I tried not to (inna) but I do. Wade in the Water by Sweet Honey and the Rock was spectacular. I will look into a media center (a J River type of thing?? Tomorrow is my birthday and this is the best gift I could imagine. Until next year when I look for a preamp. So, it is Jeff Rowland 625 Series 2. Thank you all for your encouragement, your kindness, your support, and help. It really was the best!!!!!!! Wish I could meet all of you face to face. Happy listening. R |
I have owned a Vac Sigma 160i integrated for 4 years. The tubes have not needed replacement during that time, and biasing the tubes needs to be done rarely, and literally takes a minute or two. It is a very simple procedure. Don't be concerned about the Sigma being "high mantenance". That has not been my experience. Regarding running the tv through it, that would add a lot of hours to the tube usage. I would suggest another solution for the tv, I bought a B&W Panorama soundbar for mine. |
Swiss have their own ways of doing things and they would expect you to follow them precisely. They also charge you for the honour of owning their equipment. Double the normal price, I mean. Not for me, thank you. As an exotic very expensive choice I would consider Ypsilon Electronics from Greece. $25k for hybrid integrated. |
So, overall this might not be a good fit based on the specifications of the amp vis-a-via the speakers. I hear you. There is no way at all of hearing them together. That is for sure. So it would have to be a sure thing. Thanks — I have no idea about the technical aspects. I just trust my ears and they have not heard the amp. I would have to travel to hear it and why bother if it is not advised. Okay, back to JR. So happy I have something wonderful to keep coming back to!!!!! |
Hi Rinpoche, While DarTZeel equipment is generally very well regarded, some things in Stereophile’s review of the NHB-108 would give me pause, taking into account the low impedance of your speakers (4 ohms nominal, dipping to between 2.5 and 3 ohms or so in the area of 100 to 200 Hz, where a lot of music contains a lot of energy. Most notable among several points of concern: The manufacturer strongly recommends using the Lo setting if the amplifier is to be used with low impedances. However, the amplifier then delivers significantly lower power at clipping—43W into 8 ohms (16.3dBW), 68W into 4 ohms (15.3dBW), and 95W into 2 ohms (13.75dBW)—with no reduction in low-power THD.Best regards, -- Al |
Well, Jon seems to have posed a mystery for us to have some fun with. I certainly don't have any background in cryptography, but I note that the number of characters in "SWCRABVHWI" is the same as the number of characters in "JRDG 625S2" (including the space). Rinpoche, best of luck with your choice. Regards, -- Al |
Rinpoche, Those letters are code for my prediction which will be revealed after you have made your decision. They are meaningless for now. As to your room, what I mean is the amp you choose will sound different in your room compared to someone else’s. Relax, just choose your amp, bring it home and you can rearrange your room if necessary, after that. No point rearranging now as you need to know how it sounds first. You can move things around later to make your system sound better. Who knows, your system may jist sound great without any rearrangement! One step at a time. :) |
Okay, what does SWCRABVHWI mean? And, there will be a TV in between. High ceilings (12' with wood slats). Brick wall on one side, open on the other. And 10 feet between speakers (equidistant to the couch of course). Probably not ideal but it is what it is. There is only so much I can do, but I am hoping it is okay. I could cover the TV when listening to music? Oh, and there are 96" glass doors, a wall across from the speakers, and completely open space to the other side -- very open overall. With rugs, and furniture, and dare I say it looks great!!!!! |
I have couple of friends whose hearing is excellent, they are not audiophiles. Our preferences are sometimes different but we hear exactly the same things. When something is really good and you can hear it, there is no question about it. System match is of course very important, and the higher you go the more important. However, I would guess that all of these amps would match well with Wilsons. Could be interesting to compare. |
Total system synergy also includes the way the system interacts with the environment it is in. Place 2 identical sytems in 2 different rooms and both will sound different. Place 2 identical systems in the same room but with different environments, like with one having a television in between the speakers, and again, both will sound different. A system can sound only as good as the environment it is in. J. :) |
Hi Ricred1, In some systems to certain listeners the Gryphon will be preferred to the Rowland. Change the listeners and or the system and suddenly the Rowland is deemed the superior amplifier. In the realm of upper tier transistor power amplifiers both stand tall. If I've learned one thing about audio system assembly it is that synergy is a real and major factor. Charles, |
rinpoche, I which I could say something to reassure that you're going to be happy with Jeff Rowland, but I can't. Components are very personal, so you never know. In my system the 625 S2 is by far the most musical amp I've ever had. After 30 years in this hobby that's the best compliment that I can give. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean you will feel the same. Best of luck to you. |
There are currently no dealers or distributors in either Canada or the US, but I just have to mention one brand that is considered by some to be the very best or at least among a few very best transistor designs. It is Gryphon Audio based in Denmark. I never auditioned them only read about them. I suppose, you could get them from a European dealer and have Gryphon convert the voltage. There are not many Gryphons in the US and almost no-one ever sells them. |
Charles, Thanks. It's okay if our opinions differ. With so many products/ combinations there will never be consensus on what component to get. I submit it's so important to remind individuals that every suggestion should be taken with a grain of salt. I love my Jeff Rowland gear, but I'm not naive enough to believe everyone prefers it. |
