New Rowland Criterion 2-chassis battery pre


Jeff Rowland Design has just created a page for its upcoming statement-level, twin chassis, battery powered full function preamplifier. Detail is still scant, but a little bit of info is already available, in addition to front and rear view pics. Here’s the page:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion.htm
And here’s the front view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-front.htm
And here’s the rear view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-back.htm

You will find a few specs already on the site. JRDG should be publishing more info in the next few weeks. I will post here as I receive it. in addition to the published specs that you can read on the page above, here are a very few additional tidbits that I have learned this far:

. Uses Burr Brown TI OPA1632 high speed fully differentially balanced modules.
. Includes phono stage.
. Uses standard NiMH D-cell batteries available in most electronics stores, loaded in 2 rear-inserted tubes of power supply chassis.
. Capable of AC/DC operation . . . will recharge batteries on independent circuit during AC operation.
. Full remote control
. Target price $18K (not sure yet)
. Availability: probably early Fall 2008.
. Will be featured at RMAF in Soundings Hifi suite Marriott 503 or 505 from Oct 10th to 12th in Denver.

And sorry folks, I have not heard this device yet. Nor I have any good third party reports on its sound. Any speculations on Sonics from my part would be just. . . pure speculations. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Guido
guidocorona

Showing 7 responses by jimjoyce25

I'm curious: What is the interconnect between the battery/power supply chassis and the preamp itself? What kind of wire? What kind of terminations does it have?
If you have other cables that will carry the DC power, it would be interesting to know if changing the power cable makes a difference in the sound. In my experience it does.
Yes, no question that any comparison should wait until break-in is complete.

I guess the question is whether the power supply and digital portions of the cable are separable (ie, whether they share the same input on the preamp or separate ones).
Since you have two chassis, you're breaking in not only the preamp, but interconnect and the power supply as well. These are probably complex interactions.
You might consider trying Mystery Feet from Marigo. They made a very significant improvement in my system (detail, resolution, lack of distortion).

Plus, they come with a 30-day free trial period.
It should make a difference if you do. Unplugging the power cord from the unit (as opposed to from the electrical outlet) should reduce the amount of RF in the system (though there will still be leakage from your cd player).