All, I tried to hunt down the address of the Munich show on the web site without much success. . . so I asked JRDG directly. . . Here is slightly more complete info:
HIGH-END 2009
Venue:
M,O,C, Munich
Lilienthalallee 40
80939 Munich
Germany
JRDG presence:
Taurus High-End
Halle 3, Stand D14-E09
Public show hours:
Friday till Sunday, May 22nd to 24th 2009 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Ticket: 10 Euro
For more Information please call:
Tel.: +49 (202) 70 20 22 |
Will the Crterion be operating with a remote? |
I suspect Criterion at Munich might have an operational remote. We'll find out for sure when some High End Show visitor posts here. Guido |
I have just had confirmation from the JRDG factory that the Criterion being shipped to Munic has a fully functional remote control transmitter. Guido |
Yes, but was the reciver fully programmed? |
Hi David, what I meant is that as far as I know the Criterion can now be controlled via the remote transmitter. I suspect this may also mean that the receiver is also operational. Jeff Rowland is probably in Munich today, so I can't seek any confirmation until his return.
But, isn't today the 1st day of the High End show? any of you guys attending?
Guido |
The JRDG dealer in Rio just call me. They have received the remote control and the Criterion's manual.
They will bring me both tomorrow.
What is the receiver? Is something inside the Criterion or inside the remote control? |
Congratulations Brazcole. You will likely receive 2 milled Aluminum boxes tomorrow:
1. An infrared remote control transmitter with all the buttons to control the Criterion.
2. An infrared remote control receiver. The receiver is a little external box that attaches to the Criterion through a 2 meter long wire. I have been told that the receiver enables the Criterion to be controlled while operating from inside a closed cabinet, as the receiver can sit outside the cabinet. . . . and receive all commands from the remote control.
Saluti e buone cose!
G. |
Guidocorona,
The brasilian dealer for JRDG is located in south of Brasil. After your post I call the store in Rio de Janeiro where I bought my JRDG devices. They didn't have yet the remote control, but it was arrived in Som Maior, the brasilian dealer, and I need to wait few more days. Anyway, that's no problem, because I don't use remote control as I have a custom made wood rack with 6'2'' foot high.
Now, talking with the rep in Rio, he said the remote control WILL BE THE ONLY DEVICE I will receive, but Jeff Rowland send a little and special device to Som Maior to put some software inside the Criterion to be ready for the remote control.
A guy from Som Maior will visit all the customers in Brasil to do that. He will open the Criterion for that.
It's great, because there isn't a external receiver and a extra cable.
Brazcole
|
That's great Brazcole. Right now firmware upgrade is done via a little programmer device that is connected inside the control unit chassis. Eventually all updates will be performed via the USB connector in the back of the control unit, so it will be a lot easier and will not require a technician to visit you.
As far as I know, operating the remote control transmitter also requires the remote receiver unit to be installed, but I may be wrong. Keep us all posted.
Guido |
You're right, Guidocorona. I got the remote control, the receiver and a cable. I'm not going to try because I don't use remote control.
Now, why the brasilian dealer and/or the rep in Rio told me a history about it? About a technician and bla, bla, bla.
I think that as I'm the first, and as far I known, the only owner of a Model 312 in Brasil, they want to listen to my set up with the Criterion for recomendations watching futures sales.
But why to do that? Just say to me they would like to listen to my set up? Would be my pleasure to invite them to my house.
A novell for nothing, because as I don't use remote control I decline the visit of the technician from Som Maior "to put my Criterion ready for the remote control". This guy would come together with the sound manager from Som Maior.
Funny, they got nothing.
Brazcole |
Brazcole, I am new to remote controls. Until a couple of years ago I thought I would never use one. Than I started using the ARC Ref 3 and then the JRDG Capri pre. . . both with remote controls. . . and I quickly discovered that I love to use the volume control on these remotes while sitting comfortably on my listening couch.
There is now a Criterion with my name tagged on it, somewhere in the JRDG assembly line. I hope my Criterion will be shipped to me by mid July. . . and I fully expect to take advantage of its remote control transmitter.
Guido |
Congratulations, Guidocorona, for your Criterion.
That's great, man.
So if you like remote controls, you will become a little kid when you see the Criterion's transmitter. It's beautifull, much more complete than Capri's remote control. It brings the JRDG signature.
Keep us all posted.
Brazcole. |
Thank you so much Brazcole, I am in fact quite excited. I'll post here as soon as my Criterion ships from the factory.
Guido |
My Criterion has undergone final testing and battery charge. There are rampant rumours that it will be shipped to me sometimes this afternoon. I'll keep you posted. G. |
I have visions of Snoopy dancing...anticipating the ecstacy...
Dave |
Why not write the review now Guido while you have some extra time?
It's contents are highly predictable based on the history of your cheerleading and of course your "reviewer" status.
Perhaps Dave could assist.
LOL |
07-10-09: Audiofeil said:
"Why not write the review now Guido while you have some extra time?"
Very funny Bill. You're showing your usual discretion. How's your business doing??
Dave |
My business is terrific right now Dave.
Not many retailers can say that believe me.
Thanks for asking.
Rah rah rah, siss boom bah to you and Guido.
LOL |
"Rah rah rah, siss boom bah"
Thank you for the supportive brass&drums fanfare Bill. 'Tis more 'a propos' than you think. . . By coincidence, on Sunday I might take delivery of a 1950 vintage Olds ambassador BB cornet. . . I might use it to herald the arrival of the Criterion. . . . if I can get out of it anything better than a disgraceful squeal by Monday, that is. My goal will be the theme from Bruckner's 4th. . . want to help me along? (grins!)
I just received tracking information. The criterion will be delivered to my doorstep on Monday. |
the main theme of Bruckner 4th ? ... nice choice ;-)
congrat. & enjoy |
Received an automated call from UPS. . . my Criterion will be delivered sometime tomorrow. |
Hmmm, hi Clavil. . . it looks like the gentleman with the Olds Ambassador cornet did not show up this afternoon after all. . . I may have to play Bruckner 4th on my barock alto recorder, lovingly manufactured by Moeck approx 1968 in rosewood and ivory, according to the Rottenburg pattern. . . . or on my Moeck Rottenburg Grenadilla soprano. . . . Yet, I fear even these marvellous instruments would feil to capture the uhrn. . . solemnity of the moment. . . and perhaps turn the audioBillian "rah rah rah, siss boom bah" into a bit of a Gerard hoffnung festival.
G. |
Did UPS extenze his signature pad or twas Bruno with his silver codpiece and knit legerhosen? No ohmygosh it's JRDG rounding the corner. |
If it hasn't arrived yet, look at the bright side.
It gives you and Dave more time to finish the review.
So you won't have to write your "honest" and "objective" analysis later.
Some clouds have a silver lining. |
Oooh. AudioFail, you just glow with a supremely bright shade of Green! |
Guido, From your posts I know that you hold much of your impressions and judgement until a component is thoroughly broken in, but can't you send us some intial impression tidbits?
Hope your Criterion came today and you are enjoying it! Congrats!
Phil |
Thank you Phil and all. It looks like. . . The Criterion has landed!
UPS delivered it over the noon hour and I hawled the 54Lbs box 17 steps upstairs to my listening loft. I am delighted to report that I did not drop it. The unit was delivered complete of remote control transmitter and remote control receiver station. The latter connects to the Criterion's control chassis via a custom 2m wire. The control chassis sits on top of the audio chassis and locks into place with 4 Delrin ball bearings that fit into dimples milled into the bottom of the control chassis and into the top of the audio chassis.
I was kindly assisted by Babybear during the setup.
Criterion has been playing for approximately 3 hours now on a tuner and my X-01 player. I have been playing mostly from a piano CD with M. Uchida performing the Mozart 'Twinkle' variations.
So far so good. I was expecting Criterion to sound totally hideaous right out of the box, but it did not.
Being the unit so new it is very difficult to report on its sound. . . just 20 more minutes of playing time can yield perceivable changes. Nevertheless, I have the very preliminary impression that the harmonic exposure in the treble may have already exceeded the Capri, which is no harmonic slouch to start with. This of course does not mean a great deal yet, as for the 1st few hundred hours the device is likely to expose and reabsorbe a number of prowess and anomalies alike.
I have tried both the AC power supply and the battery power supply. On battery operation, the difference seems subtle. . . but Criterion seems to increase further harmonic content, sound even more open, and perhaps extract even a little more ambient cues. Expectedly, if the recording contains low level tape hiss, like the Mozart/Uchida analog remaster I am playing right now, the background tape hiss is slightly magnified by Criterion on bbattery operation.
Interestingly, when I bring a new component into the listening room I can take its sound only minutes at a time for the 1st couple of weeks. Conversely, I had to take a very deliberate decision to come down from the listening room and write this post.
G. |
Guido,
I don't expect you to remember me but we talk on the phone
about a year ago . Our discussion was about Rowland equipment and where I live in Oregon. I have been following this thread from day one and that new preamp must be something else. Guido you are a fine person and some of your replies show your great sense of humor. I look forward to hearing more about the Rowland when it is finally broken in. Now back to my humble CJ preamp.
Bob |
Hi Bob, great hearing from you. . . of course I do remember you!
I just popped down from the loft loft after listening to a couple of selections from my test CD. If Criterion is supposed to be doing strange things before it gets even better, it has not done it yet. Rather, it has just given me a perspective on how undisciplined live concert audiences can be. I knew there were a few thumps, kicks, coughs, and bow drops in Dvorak's 9th Symphony conducted by Bernstein with the Israel Philharmonic. . . but what I started to hear today is closer to unionized ribaldry. Funny thing is that I never knew that the major uhr-thump, probably caused by Bernstein losing his balance whilst cavorting on the podium as his usual self, is actually a profound semi-pitch boom. . . I am pretty sure not seeing it in the score, last time I examined it (grins!)
Funny thing is that I do not recall hearing the 2nd movement sounding so musical before. I recall mentioning other times the gradual cuivre in the brass fanfares of this piece. . . the difference is that today I heard the individual instruments of the brass section quite timprally distinct, attacking at different times, and breaking into cuivre at staggared times.
There is right now a narrow and fairly shallow peak in the mid low bass that appears in some string bass passages, but otherwise the growling pitch of the double basses is quite exciting.
I fully expect the sound to have closed in by tomorrow. . . we'll see.
Guido |
Guidocorona,
I'm happy that you have received your Criterion. And as I don't speak English well I'm not shure if I understood right yours posts.
Let's see.
I think that at first you was expecting much more from the Criterion. Anyway, after some time you start to listen something that you never listening before. It's great, pal, because Capri, your prior device, is a very fine preamp.
Because of the Criterion, yesterday I went to MBL's dealer home. I'd want to listen to some MBL speaker, just because my B&W 802D is not at the Criterion level. I like the MBL 111 F Hybrid speakers. I bought in this visit the Cary 306 Pro, as he is also the Cary dealer.
All this because of the Criterion.
But I known what happened to you.
Before I left the dealer's home he put a disc in his phono device. I never had listen to a modern phono before.
It was wonderfull, it was amazing and etc. It looks like I was listening to a live concert just there, in front of me.
IMO you, BECAUSE OF YOUR PASSION for JRDG DEVICES, YOUR MIND was expecting a sound like a listen yesterday with this phono device. But it's impossible, man, because you NEVER, NEVER with a CD or HDCD or SACD will get some kind of perfection that you can get with a phono.
Enjoy. |
Thank you Brazcole,
what I said was the contrary of what you understood. . . I was afraid that Criterion out of the box was going to be quite dull or strident or bad. I was instead surprised because it was very listenable and in an hour or 2 it sounded a little better than the Capri.
I am glad you enjoyed your phono/vinyl experience. Digital is fine for me. |
Where's the review of the Olds cornet???
Dave |
O Shucks Dave, the cornet never arrived. . . do you think I should still write the review? G. |
And the Olds Coronet will never arrive as Coronet was made by Dodge not Oldsmobile.
You guys know as much about cars as you do audio.
Which apparently is very little.
How about a nice Desoto for both of you? |
Bill, you are so right of course, I suchly confess that I know nearly nothing about cars, and about vintage cars I know even less than that. I was told the Olds Cornet I was going to buy had only 3 pistons working, and some dings on the manifold, and that is why it costed only $50 on Craigslist. Have you got a better deal? I would not mind one with 4 working pistons, but I was told those are very difficult to find. I was not going to drive it much at all. . . just blow it, you know what I mean! G. |
Bill's royal self image has him confusing a coronet with a cornet, neither of which has to do with cars.
My grandfather did own a Dodge Desoto with push button gear change, but then he wasn't much of a car guy, like Bill.
Bill, if you'd like to meet at a road course or autocross somewhere, I'd be willing to bet that I can beat you soundly, no matter what you drive. If you're coming to RMAF I could set something up. What do you need to make it interesting? I'm thinking 1,000-bucks or maybe 5,000.
Dave |
In other words Bill, for your private edification, the link below will take you to a fine site, were you can learn about cornets, trumpets, flugelhorns, and mayhaps flumpets -- none producing noxious exhaust fumes but all powered by the clean exhaust of our lungs -- to your heart's content, including that very Olds (sic) Ambassador cornet that I am interested in. . . a fine beginner horn to all accounts. . . aledgedly highly recommended, if you were ever keen in blowing some steam without breaking the bank, after which I hope you will become cheerily inclined to contribute to this and other Audiogon discussions with topical and constructive posts.
http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/
Regards, G.
http://www.dallasmusic.org/gearhead/
|
BTW Guido, three working valves will be enough for all but the rarest cornet or trumpet. Flugels often have four valves as do most piccolo trumpets, but seldom cornets and trumpets. You might like a mellow flugel, but the picc is an evil little beast that only very experienced trumpeters can handle.
Dave |
I could say I'm a intermediate level audhiophilo, but I'd like to share my discovery.
Before I bought the 802D I had a 803N that I keep with me. Today I was still in shock because of the 270º sound of the MBL 101E that I listen 2 days ago.
I use both channels A and B with 2 pairs of speaker cables in my Model 312 in bi-wiring. I decided to make something to improve my sound. I took my old 803N and bring to my set up. I put it beside the 802D with 50º degree.
First I disconect 1 pair of cable in the 802D and use a link cable. So I conected the disconect cable in the 803N and also use a link cable because now my both speakers are single wiring.
I turn on my set up.
Unbeliable sound. Amazing sound. The sound was in the entire room, like the MBL. Everything improve. The transparency became much better. I don't known English well to have words to explain the HUGE change.
Now I known much better what the Criterion and the 312 can do.
Sorry if what I said isn't new for the audio experts, but I'm still learning (this path is very nice, pal). I read many sections of Audiogon, and I learn with many people, as Guidocorona, Dcstep, Racquel, among others. Now I only want to change my speaker cables and XLR cables. I think Kimber Select could be a good choice.
Anyway, I recomemd you all to have a experience with 2 speakers in 45º or 50º degrees. Amazing!! I'm knocking the heaven doors. |
Thank you Brazcole, Kimber could be interesting.. . but every time I heard that brand I found it to be a little hard sounding. I am having a great deal of success with Furutech wires. I use Furutech Evolution II ICs, speaker wires and power cords to connect all my equipment: TEAC Esoteric X-01, Capri, Criterion 312, and Vienna Mahler V1.5 speakers. G. |
Brazcole, thanks for your report.
As you've discovered, the speakers' interaction with the room has a huge influence on the sound that you hear at your listening chair. Guido and I have benefited greatly from something called the Sumiko Master Set, which very precisely sets the speakers within the room relative to each other and all the room bounderies. We've both talked about the "Master Set" in these forums and you might want to read more about it.
Unfortunately, I don't know who to refer you to in your part of the world. There's a possibility that an instructional DVD may be developed within the next few months, but I've been hoping that for the last couple of years. I'll let you know here if that happens.
Ciao,
Dave |
Getting back to topic. . . it's time for a brief update at approx the 55 hours mark.
Most of the day I have been playing from a CD of Dvorak violin/cello/piano trios from a set of complete Dvorak chamber works on the Brillian Classics label. This morning at about 42 hrs there was a definite steely whine on the violin, a general hardness superimposed on rather good harmonic development and quick transients. There was some sense of the acoustics of the venue, but it was partially hidden by some generalized glare. By tonight a much more natural and comfortable violin was starting to emerge, and I seemed to be hearing more and more into the venue. The sign that things are going in the right direction is that while this morning I had to keep the gain rather low, by tonight I was raising it considerably and enjoying the result. . . . and sinking into the listening couch.
Long way to go I suspect, but what's interesting is that I am not hearing a lot of abrupt fluctuations in sonic quality, but rather a slow relaxing and opening up of the sound.
We'll see what happens overnight. I'll leave Criterion playing from my old NAD tuner at low volume.
G. |
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? |
Jimjoyce25, there are 2 12inch pigtails connecting the control chassis with the audio chassis. One connects data buss and DC power to the right channel, the other one is the same for the left channel. The cables are custom cables with small round custom connectors. G. |
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. |
Jimjoyce25, I have no doubt that a different power&data pigtail may affect sound one way or an other. There are however 2 things to bear in mind:
1. Experimenting with wires of any kind prior to complete break in is futile. . . you would be shooting at a moving target. . . what works today is likely to be an overcompensation after just a couple of weeks.
2. The pigtails are not simple 3-wire jobbies. They are multiwire bundles that carry power as well as a complete digital control buss.
In some future, if the spec is ever made available, it would certainly be interesting to have some of our favorite OEM cable manufacturer create custom interchassis pigtails for Criterion. . . won't be inexpensive I fear.
G.
|
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). |
Thank you Jimjoyce25, what I have found out is that switch mode power supply, DC power supply, and microcontroller logic are each segragated in their own pockets milled in the control chassis. Furthermore, the data buss is kept off line until the user issues a command of any kind from the front panel or the remote control. At that point the microcontroller and the buss come online, the requested command/change is performed, then the buss goes back to sleep and is taken offline. Furthermore, when the DC power supply is active, the AC power supply is also taken offline. |
At approximately 126 hours into the break in process it is worth while that I post a brief update.
The sound of Criterion continued to open up and to relax until about 85 hours of playing time. . . I was starting to hear a considerable amount of ambient cues. Without the sound ever venturing far towards the warm sound of neutral, performances were becoming more and more textured and emotional. I was very pleased by the amound of harmonic content, macro and micro dynamics, and immunity from distortion in loud passages.
At approx the 90 hour mark, sound turned markedly toward surfacy, pinched, harsh, and brittle. . . Violins became steely and whyny, piano steely and shallow. . . detail gone out the window. . . ambient cues no where in sight, micro dynamics an alien concept. Seems Criterion is not at all immune from the dreaded break-in doldrums. This morning, at approx 115 hours, the creature was definitely still in a bad mood.
Sometimes in the late afternoon things started to open up once again. Now, at about 126 hours, the sound has reopened up considerably, if not to the point where it was a couple of days ago. . . music is becoming enjoyable once again. Can't help being anxious. . . patience is a lot easier to preach than to practice.
G. |
