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Jeff Rowland Design Group

I want to say a good word for JRDG customer service. I own a consonance preamp that is now 26 years old. An absolutely wonderful preamp. Early one morning during a "late night" listening session I made a boneheaded move and while adjusting the line level gain, put that module back in the preamp one pin off. That module became toast as soon as I turned it back on. Duh. The following Monday morning I called JRDG and to my surprise was able to talk to Jeff himself. He looked in his inventory & was able to find another module for the consonance (a 26 year old preamp!) of which I bought instantly. It was shipped out that day & I bought another fuse to put in the preamp itself. Long story short, I couldn't get it to not blow a fuse instantly when powered up, so prior to putting in the new module, asked Jeff if the new module would fix that issue. He said the module would not fix that, so I packed the whole thing up & sent it to him for repair before messing it up any further myself. He received that preamp on a Friday & the following Monday his secretary called me and stated he had it fixed.There was an issue with the power supply (as well as the toasted line module). I received it today & it sounds better than ever. Again, mind you this is a 26 year old preamp that he apparently made a priority of to fix. The new upgraded module & power supply cost a few hundred dollars and his labor charge to check this preamp out & fix it, was minimal. He certainly wasn't prompted by financial gain to fix my mistake, much less make it a priority. That my audiophile friends is great customer service.  
boxer12

Showing 5 responses by ricred1

ricred1
1,412 posts
 
George,

625 S2 and 725 mono-amps...are they  Linear Class-A/B amps?
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
George,

It isn't a loaded question, but you are correct that I'll never be convinced by what people say for a couple of reasons. For one I honestly think so many people make comments about components that they never actually heard. Secondly, there are no absolutes in audio, only preferences; therefore it isn't what someone says, it's what our ears hear that makes the difference. I don't think what I have is the best, not even close. I set a price range for what I want to spend on each component and try to evaluate it in my own system. If I end-up preferring something else, I have no problem saying I prefer something else. 
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
George,

I read the article you posted. I understand what you’re saying about the measurements, but the listening session comments ends with: "It will provide superb and neutral sound with cutting-edge resolution and micro/ macro dynamics across the entire frequency range… and do so while looking like pure supermodel gorgeousness." Of course everyone won’t come to that conclusion, but I’ve compared my 625 S2 to several amps in my system and I still have the 625 S2.
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
George, 
I love to compare different components in my system. Please recommend an amp to replace my 625 S2. It can't have tubes and must be below $20K. It will be driving my Monitor Audio PL500 IIs in a 20' x 26' room. I'll post the results. 
ricred1
1,412 posts
 
imhififan,

I’m not a technical person; therefore I didn’t know how the JR 625 S2 measured. I think some believe "audiophiles" select components in a vacuum. I listened to several amplifiers below $20K in my system and based on listening I prefer the 625 S2. I’ve owned several amplifiers prior to the 625 S2, including Parasound. It’s impossible to listen to every amplifier that exists, but I did compare it to a couple amplifiers that many say sound great. I’m still mystified that people are quick to talk bad about components that by all indication they never heard. I don’t talk about or provide advice about any component unless I’ve actually heard it...preferably in my own system.
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