Question for Rowland aficionados


I've been playing with an old Rowland Model One. In my system, it sounds dark and closed in on top, a bit grainy, but it also reproduces the most extraordinary intrumental tone, so lifelike that it oftens fools me in the "that sounds just like a real saxophone" way. My Pass 150 never does this, nor does my CJ 11a (to the same extent that the Rowland does). This could be just great system synergy that's going on, but I'm betting it's a characteristic of the Rowland.

So here's my question: is this a quality of other Rowland amps? As the line has evolved since the Model One, how has the sound changed? I want that lifelike tone with, of course, a bit more extension on top and so forth.

I might as well also ask: which other amplifiers (other brands) do you think can deliver this uncanny lifelike quality?

-Dan
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Showing 6 responses by drubin

Thanks, great response Onhwy61. Not sure I would agree with your conclusion that what I like about the Model One is a coloration, but I do agree that other amps are clearer sounding. Funny, I owned an Aleph 5 for a few years, but not with most of my current system.
Am I right that the Concentra II's power amp section is very similar to a Model 112? Can you say more about how the Concentra and 201's differ? Thanks.
Interesting. Sounds like JRDG took the ICE engine, dressed it up Rowland style, and that's about it. Not much added value. Am I right?

Which other manufacturers are using the ICE modules?
You use RCA to XLR adapters. Rowland sells them, Cardas, etc. Rowland claims no sonic penalty for going RCA via adapters vs. going balanced XLR, but who knows?