Pre-amp for Rowland Model 102

Fed, I have had extensive experience with Rowland Capri. It bested my ARC REF 3 in harmonic development, control of treble intermodulation in complex passages (think of multipart violins), bass control, and general authority and transients. Staging and imaging were comparable between the two devices. The only aspect of Capri that I thought might have benefitted from improvement was the lowest octave in the bass that could sound slightly blanched compared to REF3.

Note that a new Capri will take approximately 700 hours of operation before stabilizing and giving you its best. Like M102, it is perfectly safe to leave it on all the time, because power consumption is negligible, in spite of it operating in class-A.

You can significantly enhance the performance of your M102 by powering it through a Rowland PC-1 rectifier.

Technically, you can also connect PC-1 to both M-102 and Capri through a "Y" cord.... But I do not recommend it. PC-1 is great for M-102, M-201, M-501, and COntinuum 250, but makes the sound of Capri slightly pinched and throaty.

There is a significant amount of information on all these devices, and how they interact, on the Rowland knowledge base:

All manuals, including Capri and M102:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=14

Capri FAQ (25 articles):
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=8

M102 FAQ (25 articles:
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=7

PC-1 FAQ :
http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/categories.php?categoryid=23

Best, Guido

Hi Kijanki, fascinating info. I did not know that Furman was producing a PFC-based conditioner. how has the Furman Elite afected harmonic detail, microdynamics, and mid-treble intermodulation? Can you isolate the separate impact on M102 and Capri? Guido

ZD, I only "measure" things with my ears, thus I apologize in advance for the unscientific and somewhat subjective nature of the following....

On the subject of treble intermodulation.... Frequently, on multipart string music, you may notice that there is a range of chorded notes, approximately in the 3rd treble octave, that have the habit of sounding rather harsh, distorted, and metallic. What I always look for is ways to make those notes sound like "music", without resorting to filtering effects.

On the subject of harmonic development.... if you listen carefully to piano music for example, you may hear the fundamental frequency, but also a set of harmonic frequencies that rise, sustain, and decay on their own terms.... this complex and evolving harmonic resonance is what gives an instrument some of its individual richness, or.... palpability.

My experience is that a PFC-based DC front end for an autoranging SMPS can increase an amplifier's ability to expose the complex behavior of independently decaying harmonics, and control a fair amount of treble harshness, without ever being perceived as a band-pass filter.

For example, integrated PFC rectification is one of the main differences between the class-D Rowland M501 monoblocks and the class-D M312 stereo.... Yes I know, there are other factors involved, such as higher quality transformer coupling etc... but.... M501 is a fun amp with a lot of power that sounds a little "matter of fact", while M312 sounds much more musical and emotional.... M312 Was my very favorite power amp prior to my adoption of the Rowland M725 monos, which while being based on class A/B design, are still fed by a PFC-based DC front end. Back to M501, the monoblocks can be front ended by a PC-1 PFC-based rectifier on each... Owners that have used M501 in such configuration claim that they rival the overall musicality of M312.

Warning, unlike Furman Elite, PC-1 transforms 120V AC into a 220V DC current... So do not feed it into any device unless the target component has an autoranging power supply, or it has been switched to 240V operations, lest.... you will be regaled by a cute puff of blue smoke and a slagged component.

Guido

Hi Feds, regretably, I have not had the opportunity of listening to M102. Looking at published specs, I suspect that M201 may yield a somewhat greater staging and imaging, and perhaps a bit more authority... M102 yields 100W over 8 Ohms and 200W over 4 Ohms with 11 Amperes of peak output current; M201 is rated at 250W over 8 Ohms and 500W over 4 Ohms with peak output current of 35W. On the other hand, specs alone may not tell the whole story: I have heard a few times M201 running out of steam On MagnePan 1.6 and Vienna Beethoven Grands. G.

Rowland has just announced at CES the Capri Series 2 preamp, which will replace the original Capri, and should share the same form factor. Like the original Capri, Capri S2 supports an optional phono card.... but will also be available preconfigured with an optional DAC card. Apparently the Capri S2 circuit, as well as the DAC card, have been designed by Jeff Rowland in collaboration with Holm Acoustics of Denmark. Unless I am wrong, shipment should start Q2 2013.

Oh yes, and just to make things even more fun, there is now a slightly heftier new brother of M102, called the M125.... Same form factor, with a Newer ICEpower module, with power rating of 125W over 8 Ohm, and 250W over 4 Ohm.

Saluti, Guido

Excellent question JL.... I have no idea if JRDG has plans for upgrading current Capri to S2 status, or even if it is feasible. I will add this to a list of questions that I need to pose To the Rowland factory.

Hi Feds, I have heard that M125 may in fact be based on the ICEpower 125ASX2 power conversion module, but I have not read a written confirmation yet. M125 appears to have the following power ratings:

125 watts @ 8 ohms/250 watts @ 4 ohms

The Rowland 2013 product brochure lists some more M125 specs, but not all is known about this amp yet:

http://jeffrowlandgroup.com/kb/getattachment.php?data=NTgxfEpSREcgUHJvZHVjdCBDYXRhbG9nIDIwMTMucGRm

Guido