Hi Jeff,
I'm glad that you are enjoying the JRDG Model 6 monoblocks. I can't say that I am surprised, they were about the best SS amps that I've heard in my 30 years in the hobby. Yes, they (Rowland's) were surplanted by a tube amp, and I am happy. If I were ever to go back to *gasp* SS, the JRDG 2/6/8/9 series would certainly be top on my list.
Anyway, best wishes to you Jeff, and enjoy the Model 6's....
Cheers,
John |
Well Jeff, you do know what they say, "patience is a virtue". It's not always easy in this hobby, but it is true nonetheless.
Enjoy the music.
John |
They are cool customers indeed. That's why I left them on 24/7 when I owned them. IMHO, it'd take them an hour or so to sound their best, when left on 24/7 they were always at there best.
FWIW, I've owned a couple of Class A amps, the Model 6's sound like Class A, but as you've felt, run much cooler. That part I do miss.
I guess I'll be buying some Speedo's this summer. :) |
Jeff, yes, a good preamp may well help you even farther down the road to nirvana than what you currently have. I also agree with Raquel, that running balanced works best with these amps. I haven't heard the top JRDG preamps as he suggests, and they may work quite well. I've always been more of a tube preamp fan myself, and think you can do better with tubes. Your CJ 10B may be a bit sluggish and warm, but there are many more extended tube preamps out there. You may want to try a BAT or ARC for example.
As for the battery supplies, I know many did like them, I however was not a fan. I heard these Model 6's with battery supplies, and the sound was smoother, and a tad warmer, but lost much of the extension and rhythmic drive that I felt drove these amps. As you know Jeff, I was using Stealth Dream power cords on these amps. IMS, IMHO, these amps sounded best with AC and with good quality cords.
As always, YMMV.
Cheers,
John |
I agree with most of what Raquel has stated, especially with the mid to late 90's being JRDG's golden years, and his reco for the Coherence II/Synergy preamps.
I do have a couple of differences though, first being that I would still prefer a tubed preamp. I like tubes, that's me, that's why I sold you the Model 6's Jeff....tubes. I feel that a tube preamp can be used with the Model 6's with great success, using the 18K input impedence switch of course. I know, I've done it. I feel that you are not happy with your CJ, which I can understand, as I never really warmed (no pun intended) to the CJ sound myself. However, if you have cash in hand, I'd seriously take a look at Upscale Audio who is selling NOS BAT VK-31SE's for just under $4K.
Great, great preamp, and IMHO better than any SS preamp out there. I would buy new for the 5 year warranty though, it's worth it.
If I had to go back to SS, I actually preffered the Threshold T2 over either Rowland preamp, or Krell and Levinson to boot. I'm not trying to confuse you, just let you know of other options. Raquel's Coherence II/Synergy reco would come right behind the T2, IMHO, along with maybe a Klyne Series 7 preamp. If you'd like to match JRDG for synergy sake, that's certainly understandable, but I wouldn't paint myself into that corner. There are many better preamps out there than your CJ PV10BL.
Lastly, I do agree and disagree with Raquel on his comment about unplugging equipment. I do agree that ALL equipment should be unplugged from the wall for electrical storms. I disagree that antisurge protection at the panel or elsewhere is and alternative. I've been a audiophool for over 30 years now, and I have owned many protection boxes, but have found NONE provide absolute saftey for close (<1mile) lightning strikes. Many protect from surge, but NOT lightning. If a storm is a brewing, I still unplug/disconnect my main audio/HT breaker box.
Believe me, when you're talking about very expensive/sensitive equipment, if your $3000 surge protector fails, it will cost much more than that to fix your rig. They're great for most 'hiccups', but unplug for severe storms.
Cheers,
John |
Balanced ouput impedence of 90 ohms and 45 ohms unbalanced should work really well with the Model 6's. Those output impedences are almost SS like in nature, which is also one of the complaints about SF gear, is that they are tube, but sound too much like SS. If you are looking for the best of both worlds, this may well be it, however, beware the call to upgrade to NOS 6922 tubes, as 10 of them could be very, very expensive.
I've heard several SF amps, but only the SFL-2 preamp. I think this would be a very intruiging combination though. SF definitely does NOT sound like CJ.
Cheers,
John |
Congrats on the 'new' preamp Jeff.
Kids.....I know about stinking kids....if it weren't for my three boys I'd have had the money to keep them JRDG Model 6's as my spare amps....
I hope the Muse works out well for you (though I still say go tubes :) ).
Cheers,
John |
Jeff.....Dude....relax, I was just joking. I think you probably got a great deal on the preamp, like you did on my amps. Hopefully you will live happily ever after. There is no doubt in my mind that you will now have a more neutral sound than your previous CJ gear, as IMHO nothing sounds warmer/sweeter than CJ gear.
Enjoy the Muse/JRDG hook-up.
Cheers,
John |
Jeff, a big smile from me, I'm glad that you have found audio nirvana! Now the key is to just relax, and enjoy the tunes. Forget the glossy rags and internet raves. Yes, for many more $$$ you may do a little better, but in the long run, you have to ask yourself if it's really worth it. I know the law of diminushing returns hits early and hard, and sometimes I find myself wondering how I got in so deep.
If you're that thrilled with the sound, and it sounds like you are, just spend any extra $$$ on the software would be my reco. Kick back, turn it up and smile....
Cheers,
John |
Tiff,
You may be better served starting a new post in the Speaker forum instead of asking a question about speakers in a 4 year old thread in the Amp Preamps forum. |
