Thanks, John! One thing that I've decided to do this time around is take my time with the components that I buy. In the past, I think I was too hasty. There is so much amazing gear out there, and for some reason I felt the need to do it all!
This Rowland amp is amazing to me!!!! I never expected this. There is so much control. I know I've said this before about other equipment, but I don't see myself ever parting with these monos! And I'm in no way implying that my CJ did a bad job...it was a real stunner!!! Hell it kept me captivated for five years! It's just different. Maybe not even a fair comparison. |
Raquel,
Many thanks for taking the time to read over all of my audio jibberish, above! And for formulating your response so well!
Yes, after more sessions with the Model 6s, I can deffinitley tell there is something holding them back. I feel that this is good enough for now, but with just the right preamp, they will SING! No offense taken regaring my current CJ preamp...I know this is not a reference level component.
The Rowland Coherence II is a thing of beauty, and I've dreamed of it for as long as I have the Model 6s...though I've been a tube nut, I've always had a Rowland fetish (did I just say that out loud)! I'm afraid that even on the used market, it would be out of my range - know your limits! However, the Synergy could very well be a contender. I guess I'm afriad of not having tubes on the frontend.
I will also look into the ARC and Levinson models that you mentioned!
Best,
Jeff |
Yes - budget would be $3K... |
Seriously thinking about the ARC LS5 MKIII that Raquel mentioned. I wonder what it is that makes this "one of ARC's best sounding"? The LS25 has also seems like a contender.
Still thinking about the VTL 5.5, too. Decisions...decisions! |
Many thanks! I'm thinking more and more that I should just pair thus up with a Rowland preamp and call it "done". Any reason I shoud avoid the Synergy II (non "i" version)? Is the IIi that much better? The reason I ask is that I see plenty of IIs on A-gon, well within my budget...one of them is even black. |
Thanks, Daveyf!!!! I will look into that one.
Keep the recomendations coming. I know the "right" piece is out there, and this time I've got patience on my side. Currently, the Rowland Synergy 2i is leading the pack, but I'm not quite ready to pull the trigger. |
Please...feel free to "pile it on"! I'm here to learn.
FWIW, I did spend several hours with the original Rowland Synergy (MK 1, I guess) when I auditioned the Model 2 stereo amp. Yes, in a "perfect" hi-fi store listening room, the sound coming from these two components was astounding. I can only imagine what the Synergy 2i is like with the improved surface mount technology inside.
Some things I must have with this preamp: remote control and at least one pair of balanced XLR outs for my amps.
Really at this point it would take an impressive argument to sway me away from the Synergy 2i. For obvious reasons, I think it would team perfectly with the Rowland amps. |
OMG...my Model 6s run so freaking cool! I'm amazed. I've left them on for a few days straight...temps never change, even after some long sessions with loud volumes. All they are is luke warm to the touch. I realize that mine don't run in "Class A", but I'd still expect more heat than this! |
Got another preamp question: I narrowly missed an excellent deal on a Synergy 2i preamp...I was next in line! Still kinda bummed about it, as I had cash in hand for it.
At any rate, what about one of Rowland's "newer" preamps? The Capri and/or the Cocerto? I wonder how these would sound with my Model 6s? I understand that these don't have a separate power supply chasis. And it also looks as though the Concerto is soon to be retired and replaced by the Criterion (which will be well out of my budget). But that still leaves the Capri, which was rumored to sound better than the Concerto any way.
What do you think? Coming from a CJ PV10BL, it has to be an improvement??!! |
Well said, Raquel. I'll wait... |
|
|
I just have to say how helpful Jmcgrogan2 and Raquel have been!!! I sincerely respect the advice I'm getting here!
It's true,this preamp situation is making me a bit desperate. My CJ PV10BL was/is an excellent match for my CJ Premier 11A, however, I can sense (hear) that the Rowland amps are begging for a more accurate, and better defined input. Something refined and more neutral. I need less of the CJ "house sound". To be cliché, this PV10BL is throwing a veil on some recordings.
I think I was satisfied on initial sessions with the PV10BL and Model 6s, because the amazing bass control had won me over. Now I can sense that the cymbals don't have the same rush or ring that I was once accustomed to.
I'm trying my best to be patient. Ideally, I want a Rowland Synergy 2i. However, the ones currently on A-gon, just don't fit my criteria (one is in Canada, one comes with the battery and is out of my price range, etc).
I thought about finding out how much it would be to have Rowland upgrade a Synergy 2 to the "i" version. Then I could pick up a Synergy 2 for a lot less.
I guess, I just have to wait. |
That's how I interpreted Raquel's response...leaving them "on", beyond the "stand-by" mode (which is plugged into the wall as far as my Model 6s are concerened). |
Yet another question: I'm leaving the Model 6s powered up 24/7 now. Still leaving all my other sources switched off. However, with nothing else running (except for the Model 6s), I can her some noise coming from my speakers when I place an ear to them. A slight "hiss" from the tweeter and a slight "humm" from the woofer. I can't imagine this to be "normal"...is it?
To be honest, I'm using nothing in the A/C line conditioning area: no special cords, wall outlets, dedicated lines, conditioners, etc.
What can you guys recomend as a "poor man" solution? The very basics as it were. I know the JRDG batteries would help, and those might be added at a later date. Just looking for the quick "low hanging fruit" right now. Is it time for a better wall outlet and/or power strip?
Let's just say that my other hobby involves 4-wheels, a big turbocharger,and wide bodied car that a certain German company made during the '80s [[cough]]Porsche 930[[cough]]! Between this damn car and my audio sickness, I'm a broken man! |
Understood! Then that's how I'll do it...leave it all on, all the time. In addition, I'll track down an electrician and let him have a look at my panel.
As to why I've always done it this way: deep down, the notion that I'm wasting something by leaving it on, has always gotten the better of me...I'll fight the urge! |
Just always used the same routine when operating my equipment. Never thought it waranted an experiment. I've NEVER just fired up the gear and started listening. Most of my time spent listening is done on the weekends. Normally, the first thing I do on Saturday morning is switch it all on, and several hours my pass before the first song is played. So there has always been a good warm up time...and to my "god given ears", everything sounded fine.
Keep in mind, all of my power amps in the past were tube based. I generally didn't just let them run...so when they went off so did everything else. |
So an interesting turn:
After some recent changes in financial obligations - my ten year old son is now wearing braces on his teeth (of which not much was covered by my dental plan), and the tuition at my kids' school was just increased - I had to rethink my budget for a replacement preamp...I don't generally purchase things on credit. Sucks to be an adult!
So I had to think back to the days when I used to vsist my local hi-fi shop and recall the equipment that really left an impression on me. One such name, Muse Electronics. In the big picture, not a generally well known name, but still a solid company doing good things, with a good leader, Kevin Halverson.
In short I've purchased a Muse Model 3 preamp in black (will match nicely with my black Rowland Model 6s) with the optional external power supply that has the digital attenuation/gain display. Lucky for me, I actually got to audition one of these units back in the day, after my local shop sold his floor model, Rowland Synergy preamp. The unit I heard did not have the improved optional power supply and was connected to the Rowland Model 2 stereo amp. I remember thinking how absolutely neutral this preamp was/is. Really stunning! DEAD QUIET! In fact from what I recall, I enjoyed the Muse/Rowland combo over the all Rowland set. Granted this was an original Synergy...not a 2 or a 2i that I heard. I'm sure the later version of Rowland's Synergy would put it to shame...but I'll just have to wait for that. The tubeyness of my CJ PV10B is just getting on my nerves, and after further listening, it's just not a good match for the Rowland gear.
I should have the Muse M3 by tommorow, so stay tuned for my impressions. Though the Muse has a couple "balanced" XLR ins and an XLR out, it's doubtful that this is a true differential design like the Synergy. In addition, I'm not sure what the output impedence is. Regardless, I'm so very excited to hear this thing!!!
STAY TUNED! |
I think what's driving me to seek out the more neutral sounding (no signature of it's own?) solid state Muse M3, is the fear that my mid-level CJ preamp has been hiding some details in all of it's warmth. Why this never really bothered me before...I have no idea. Perhaps there is zero system synergy with the Rowland, that once existed with my CJ Premier? And now it's shortcomings are just glaring! I just know that I'm ready for a total change...same feelings that pushed me into the Rowlands to begin with.
In addition, I'm also upgrading my interconnects, and I think that will also add an improvment. |
|
Oh yeah, no worries John! It's hard tell over the "interweb", but you didn't ruffle my feathers. All is cool! I merely was pointing out why all of a sudden I made this shift with the type of gear I'm running. It's like discovering a whole new world. At the time, I just wasn't ready to let go of my tubes. I know full well that a better tube preamp would have done the trick, also. I just figured I've come this far, might as well go the distance and toss a solid state pre in there!!! LOL! |
|
COOKING WITH GAS, NOW!!!
So I've finally gotten to spend some time with my "new to me" Muse Model 3 preamp! As I told the A-gon member, Jamscience, who sold it to me, this is the finest sounding "system" I've ever had in my house! What I love most is that all of my changes, as I move from tubeland to silicone valley, have been DRAMATIC! Nothing subtle here! None of this, "hhhmm, yeah I *THINK* it sounds a little different"!!! There is no doubt that I'm playing in a new game!
Now for the sound: When I was first listening to the Rowland Model 6s with my CJ PV10B preamp, I was initially awestricken because the increased wattage of the Rowlands (I went from a 70W tube stereo unit, to 150W monos), provided so much control, headroom, and bass!!! That was new to me...and I loved it! Thus explaining my initial glowing review at the opener of this thread. However, the more time I spent, the muddier the waters became. Something was getting in the way. Where were all those details? I first noticed this when I spun The Eagles, "Hotel California". This is not normally a band that I dabble with, but the song is a classic and the way Henley's high-hat, and cymbals shimmer and ring in that song, ALWAYS brought on the goosebumps when I was running CJ pre and power units! However, this time I noticed that the crash and shimmering was being cut short. The magic had dried up ever so slightly. Perhaps there was too much of a good thing? A little too much bass that was masking some of those trebbly details?
So before I left for vacation, I was able to connect the Muse M3, and let all burn-in while I was away for the week. As mentioned earlier in this thread, I no longer turn any of my sources off. As soon as I was unpacked, I was ready to spin, and the gear was good and warm! The clarity and level of detail being revealed is astonishing!!!!!! Yep, this is a good match!!! In fact, outside the perfect hi-fi boutique with it's dedicated power and room treatments, I'm not convinced I've ever experienced this. As I suspected, these Rowland amps, have all the warmth needed to support such a neutral, almost non-existent preamp!!! The warmth of the Rowlands with the warmth of my original CJ pre...was overkill!!! Another thing that I've enjoyed having with the Muse, is a FREAKING REMOTE!!!!!! Full functioning, no less! Including a button to invert the polarity of the output signal. In all honesty, I'm still getting used to this sound. I was growing accustomed to all the bass, and now some of that has been leaned out. And I'm not sure if the CJ was just bloated or if the Muse is more on the lean side...or should I say accurate? Whatever the case, I don't mean to imply that the bass is missing, just that it's been toned down...better formulated, and even more controlled. Whatever is on the disc is what you get...not a penny more, sir! It'll take some time to get used to. I've also noticed how much louder my system will play with no ill effects and while maintaining all of the elements that I love. The sound stage is top notch and expansive, even in my my small room. And another phenomenon that is new to me...SPEED! The elements are all being delivered with greater momentum...nothing laid back here! The flow of sound is amazing! In addition, on some CDs/tracks, The Shins, "Wincing the Night", for example, the details are so damn near perfectly replicated, there is almost a spooky, eerie feel. It's hard to describe. I'm not sure what is causing this, but me LOVE IT! In the case of my current setup, the more I listen, the more drawn into the music I feel. Almost, an emotional connection. Engaging, I think. Where as before, the more I listened, the more pissed off I was becoming, because I knew something was wrong!
A special thanks to Jmcgrogan2 and Jamscience for being such stand up guys who provided excellent A-gon service! You guys have helped fulfill my hi-fi wishes! I know it gets better than this, but I don't know at the expense of how many more thousands? For my modest lifestyle, this is as good as it gets!
Up next: Gregg Straley Reality Cables...interconnects and speaker, on the way! Stay tuned - more to follow... |
Excellent advice, John!!! Funny you mention that, I've recently gone through and purchased a whole bunch of new music that was on my "wish list" at Amazon!!! Yes, it's time to relax.
The only other time I was moved like this was when I was running Cary Audio 805 monoblocks with a Sonic Frontiers preamp. I should have stopped there, but I let a "friend" talk me into selling them...mayhem insued! This latest Rowland/Muse sytem, I think, has brought me even more enjoyment.
It's also been nice not fussing with tubes! Not that I ever had any trouble with my tube gear, it's just that added temptation of wondering what all those $$$$ vintage tubes might sound like! |
