JRDG Capri vs. Parasound JC-1

Macrojack,

please open the box. I am sure you will end up liking the JC-2 better. I am quite confident ... almost confident enough to consider making you this promise...if you decide to sell the JC-2, you can send me an email and I will consider sending you a check for your loss :-)

Seems like you have the synergy thing going with JRDG. Personally, I'd open up the JC-2 and give it a listen anyway, but maybe in your case leaving well enough alone is better.

03-30-10: Macrojack
So that's the real question, Do I just sell it or try it out first and cost myself hundreds of dollars for the privilege?

I'd say bite the bullet and try the Parasound. Not knowing how it sounds will be a dissatisfying experience. There must be something about the Rowland setup that made you pay for a a new preamp.

Macrojack - acoording to this review: http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2007/rowland_capri-102.shtml Capri is a very good match to Model 102 amp and is stronger/better of two. I use JRDG 102 with Benchmark DAC1 and warm sounding speakers (Hyperion HPS-938). I've never heard Capri but Guidocorona has one and is very familiar with Rowland gear - ask him.

Thank you Kijanki, my views on well-broken-in Capri pres are known. Yet, not having tried JC-2 myself, I suggest that JC-2 be given several hundred hours of playing time until it stabilizes, then contrasted with Capri. . . As for the end result, not having access to the same high end crystal-ball that friend Pinkus seems to have happily sourced, nor assuming to own Macro's ears, I shall not attempt to venture prophecy (grins!).

Bottomline. . . Macro, be brave and open the box. . . try out JC-2, and please let us know your comparative findings. G.