Rowland Criterion vs Joule-Electra LA 300ME

Husk01, do you happen to know the input impedance of your amps? The output impedance of the Joule-Electra is selectable between 350 Ohms & 1200 Ohms. . . the spec page did not specify if it supports fully balanced operations or if it is single ended only. Criterion has a very low output impedance of 60Ohms in both balanced and single ended mode. J-E channel separation is 84Db if I read correctly, Criterion is 99.5. Are you planning for a fully balanced system? Of course specs tell only so much. . . in the end it is all about system synergy and personal prefs. Guido

Good choice Husk01. . . Criterion seems to have a very advanced theater bypass. . . essentially you can select which connectors to assign to the bypass functionality, both through remote control and on chassis menuing system and display. Tomorrow I'll buzz JRDG and will find out if C has finally reached General Availability, or if they are still fiddling with the firmware. Guido

Thank you Teajay, I agree completely with you that we are deeply immersed in the realm of personal preference. And this is why I am as narrow as I possibly can in my own findings. . . e.g. I may say that I personally prefer component A over B in my own system using criteria 1, 2, 3, but I won't say that A is better than B, or that A is an absolute 'best'. In particular, as I have not auditioned Audio Valve Eklipse, I am not in a position of stating my preference for one or the other. If you have been able to compare a well broken in Capri with an equally broken in AV, please let us know more, as audiogoners benefit from as many real findings as possible.

On the subject of Criterion, as I have heard it in only one system (not even my own), and very few people have heard it this far besides me, it is not particularly useful to summize a priori that it be more or less subjectively preferable to other devices, regardless of my own hopeful enthusiasm, let alone 'better' or 'worse'. Future may tell. My only suggestion is to keep an ever open mind. . . whilst audiophilia continues unabated (grins!) G.