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New Rowland Criterion 2-chassis battery pre

Jeff Rowland Design has just created a page for its upcoming statement-level, twin chassis, battery powered full function preamplifier. Detail is still scant, but a little bit of info is already available, in addition to front and rear view pics. Here’s the page:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion.htm
And here’s the front view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-front.htm
And here’s the rear view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-back.htm

You will find a few specs already on the site. JRDG should be publishing more info in the next few weeks. I will post here as I receive it. in addition to the published specs that you can read on the page above, here are a very few additional tidbits that I have learned this far:

. Uses Burr Brown TI OPA1632 high speed fully differentially balanced modules.
. Includes phono stage.
. Uses standard NiMH D-cell batteries available in most electronics stores, loaded in 2 rear-inserted tubes of power supply chassis.
. Capable of AC/DC operation . . . will recharge batteries on independent circuit during AC operation.
. Full remote control
. Target price $18K (not sure yet)
. Availability: probably early Fall 2008.
. Will be featured at RMAF in Soundings Hifi suite Marriott 503 or 505 from Oct 10th to 12th in Denver.

And sorry folks, I have not heard this device yet. Nor I have any good third party reports on its sound. Any speculations on Sonics from my part would be just. . . pure speculations. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Guido
guidocorona
guidocorona OP
4,114 posts
 
Dave, you haven't told us yet if you heard the Criterion on batteries or AC.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Batteries my friend.
husk01
171 posts
 
Dave, The whole audiophile community is waiting to here what you think of the Criterion with your MPS-5. BTW you have to sympathize with Jeff because the remote delay seems to be a never ending saga..
macrojack
1,292 posts
 
I use a Capri preamp which I consider to be a very high performance bargain. No matter how good the Criterion turns out to be, the existence of the Capri for a small fraction of the money forces the Criretion and most other statement products deep into the land of diminishing returns. For this reason,and the sheer dollar amount involved, the chances of my ever buying a Criterion are remote. Nonetheless, if the money was in my hand, I would have a hard time turning my back on the gizmo factor. That thing looks pretty trick.
dcstep
1,518 posts
 
Husk1, no pressure. ;-)

Macrojack, the gizmo factor is low for me, but the thought of retiring my Continuum 500 and going the Criterin/312 route has crossed my mind. I think that the sound is going to be THAT good. Diminishing returns, for sure. The Capri and Continuum are incredible bargains.

Oh yeah, don't forget, we'll need the separate box Critereon phono-pre (another wait) to fully replace the Capri and Continuum with a Criterion based system.

Dave
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