Jeff Rowland Pre with Pass Labs X350.5 or X600.5

A slightly laid back sound with moderate dynamics was apparently a hallmark of classic JRDG equipment. I suggest that in newest iterations this may have changed towards a more 'centristic' approach. On my own system at least (TEAC X-01 Limited, JRDG 312, Vienna Mahlers) the diminutive Capri pre appears to yield greater macro/micro dynamics, authority, bass definition, extension and detail than my ARC Ref 3.

Hi Audiopath
I appreciate your response regarding the Synergy 2i with the Pass Labs pwr amps. Infact - a laid-back easy going sound approach is what I'm looking for with an Accuphase's new DP-700 SACD/CD player as a source. Another reason for opting for either the Synergy or the Coherence preamps from JRDG is I've a Krell made Bass-Alignment mono filters for my B&W speakers & I'd like to use this in the Rec Out / Input In loop which is very much present in the Synergy & Coherence preamps but probably missing in Pass Labs ones.

Too bad the Capri doesn't have a tape loop (or fixed level outputs). A thing of the past, I suppose...but I still utilize it.

Rowland calls the Capri "basic" for a reason. Alas, the Criterion has all the bells and whistles, but it's going to be $18k.

Dave

Grant, is the functionality you are looking for Theatre bypass? From the user's manual. . .

(1) INPUT SELECT: This button will select the desired input, the input number corresponding to the numbering of the inputs on the rear panel. Each press of this button will scroll to the next successive input. Once Input 4 has been reached, the next press of the INPUT button will select the BYPASS input. Another press of the INPUT button will return the selection to Input 1.

(3) BYPASS MODE: The Bypass Mode allows the CAPRI to be installed in a home theater or surround sound system for optimal playback of stereo music sources when the multi-channel system is not in use. Pressing this button will allow a multi-channel processor to bypass the preamplifier functions of the CAPRI, with the volume controlled only by the external processor. The indicator light below the BYPASS button will illuminate yellow to show that the Bypass function is active.

3) BYPASS INPUTS: If the CAPRI is installed in a home theater or sound system, the Left Front and Right Front output connections from the surround processor should be installed in the BYPASS input connections. The CAPRI will only accept unbalanced RCA interconnects from the surround processor.

From the input section specs:
1 pair Unbalanced (RCA) Unity Gain (Bypass)

I'll email you the complete user's guide in PDF.

Guido