Jeff Rowland Amps

[itschris]

I was daydreaming about my new system and I suddenly remembered Jeff Rowland. I always thought their stuff was exquisite. I jumped on their site to take a look and I fell in love all over again.

I think I'm going to replace my McIntosh Amps with a couple of these:

http://www.jeffrowland.com/M300.htm

I think my dream system is getting better and better. Looks-wise there's not a lot out there that looks much better.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

How much are those things anyway?

I wouldn't mind getting 3 IAs + 1 BD player (when they make one).

 

[Warpdrv]

Are you really only buying for looks.... because you could easily get the same Icepower 1000ASP modules at a far better price new in the D-Sonic or Wyred4Sound Amps...

Both companies have threads over at AVS. They use exactly the same modules as the Jeff Rowland products, but far cheaper... You are paying for the name.

Here is a interesting article to read... http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/viewpoint/0508/aachapter103.htm

Disclosure: I am running a D-Sonic 2000-5, which has 3 x 500 wpc and 2 x 250 wpc.

 

[Davemcc]

When I dream of amplifiers, it usually involves a Bryston 4B SST, a 6B SST or both. I've owned Bryston in the past and I'm anxious to be a Bryston owner again. You just can't beat Bryston's combination of power, quality, customer service and their 20 year warranty. With that kind of longetivity, you could consider Bryston part of your retirement estate planning.

I see that the D-Sonic amps are only rated into 8 Ohm loads. Can they handle low impedance loads or is that simply and omission on the web site?

 

[wire]

I was daydreaming about my new system and I suddenly remembered Jeff Rowland. I always thought their stuff was exquisite. I jumped on their site to take a look and I fell in love all over again.

I think I'm going to replace my McIntosh Amps with a couple of these:

http://www.jeffrowland.com/M300.htm

I think my dream system is getting better and better. Looks-wise there's not a lot out there that looks much better.

They look great . Never heard them before .

 

[Warpdrv]

Hey Dave.... yeah the Brystons are a fine choice in amplifiers... I certainly wouldn't pass up on one, who the hell does a 20 year warranty...

On a side note, that reminds me of a funny story, Rolls Royce once sold a man a very expensive car. He had gone off the road and broke both rear axles of the vehicle. Rolls Royce was informed of this and they Flew 2 technicians over to repair the car. The man got his car back and months later, he had still never gotten a bill, and upon contacting Rolls Royce, he stated that he never got a bill for the broken axles, and he was insisting on taking care of it.

Rolls Royce wrote him back - "Sir you must be mistaken - Rolls Royce axles never break !!"

The man never paid a dime for that repair...

The D-Sonic amps are made from B&O amp modules, for monobock or multichannel. The Ice Modules are well known to offer a double of wattage with a 4 ohm load. The very same modules Jeff Rowlands uses for his monoblock and newer multichannel amps... BTW itChris, I have always found the looks of the Jeff Rowlands amps to be exquisite, just not the price for entry....

So the 1000ASP module, which is rated at 525w @ 8 ohms will therefore put out theoretically 1050 w @ 4 ohms. There have been measurements that has even shown that into 4ohms that number is even a bit conservative.

 

[Davemcc]

The D-Sonic amps are made from B&O amp modules, for monobock or multichannel. The Ice Modules are well known to offer a double of wattage with a 4 ohm load. The very same modules Jeff Rowlands uses for his monoblock and newer multichannel amps... BTW itChris, I have always found the looks of the Jeff Rowlands amps to be exquisite, just not the price for entry....

So the 1000ASP module, which is rated at 525w @ 8 ohms will therefore put out theoretically 1050 w @ 4 ohms. There have been measurements that has even shown that into 4ohms that number is even a bit conservative.

In that case, it looks like the D-Sonic offer a tremendous value. I looks like the 5 channel D-Sonic would come in about 1/4 the price of the Bryston 4B + 6B combo for 5 channels.

 

[gus6464]

What's the pricing on the Jeff Rowland preamps? Is his stuff in the realm of Mac, Krell, Classe price?

 

[itschris]

Sometimes is not about getting the "the same thing for cheap." Yes... most times it is, but in the context that I was talking about... me daydreaming... I think about what I would like to see on a rack flush mounted perfectly in to my 25 x 30 media room I plan on building some day. When I think about it in that way, as of right now, I'd like to look over and see 3 or 4 Rowland Amps staring back at me.

Yes I know I can get the "same thing" for cheaper, but for me it's about other things sometimes beyond just pure value. I don't care about the name... I don't think Jeff Rowland is a household name that I could brag to my friends about... even if I really had any friends who cared any % about this stuff as I do. But when I do decide to go big guns some day I won't care about saving a few bucks. I'm gonna get what I want because I want it for whatever reasons I decide I want it at the time.

I'm sure I'll change my mind a few dozen more times until then. I have clinical insomnia and often times have trouble falling asleep. I go through this exercise just about every night where I think about something in great detail... like winning the lotto, building my media room whatever. Lately it's been the media room which I concentrate on. For now, when I go to sleep and think about my media room, it will be plush with 3 of the amps... maybe four.

 

[itschris]

What's the pricing on the Jeff Rowland preamps? Is his stuff in the realm of Mac, Krell, Classe price?

I believe they're in the $4K to $8K range depending on the model.

 

[Warpdrv]

In that case, it looks like the D-Sonic offer a tremendous value. I looks like the 5 channel D-Sonic would come in about 1/4 the price of the Bryston 4B + 6B combo for 5 channels.

I believe that a Jeff Rowland 501 Monoblock amps run for about $3-4K each or $6500 to $7K for a Pair... pretty ridiculous for what you get compared to D-Sonic 2 channel 500wpc for $1500.00. But they really looks freakin nice.

Sometimes is not about getting the "the same thing for cheap." Yes... most times it is, but in the context that I was talking about... me daydreaming... I think about what I would like to see on a rack flush mounted perfectly in to my 25 x 30 media room I plan on building some day. When I think about it in that way, as of right now, I'd like to look over and see 3 or 4 Rowland Amps staring back at me.

Hey - - Can't say I blame ya there... many a day I have drooled over plenty of things that would be to say the least, ridiculous for me to own, much less spend money on... but I could certainly justify it to myself

I am so glad that I put all my bedroom equipment in the bedroom where I don't have to look at it, so the less then pretty D-Sonic works perfectly for me in that situation. Stellar performance... I am really thinking hard about snappin up a second one for my great room, IcePower... cool running - never ending wattage.

 

[mike c]

agreed about the freakin nice part. now if d-sonic would just make something that looks exotic (never got to buy one warp, money didn't become available)

 

[MidnightSensi]

They look really cool!

I'm sure there is cost in the chassis and name, but if they make a good amplifier and someone wants a piece of art in addition to a nice amplifier, then that's cool to me.

Those D-Sonic amps listed above... the guy who builds them didn't even bother to put a backdrop in the photos section, or spend a bit and get some professional photos taken. You can see crappy cars in the background of a few of them. Not that is how you decide on an amp, but, comeon haha.

I haven't found that decent amplifiers sound much different from one another. If looks are of a non-issue, there are lots of options. When you want it in your living room, sometimes it makes sense to spend more to get something that care was taken in aesthetics.

 

[Warpdrv]

I agree with ya there all the way.... Nice kitchen table bro... I've seen better pics on ebay.... Its not that hard. but I can vouch for the build quality he has put in on these amps... they are seriously solid and put out the power. But it really doesn't speak much about reputation.

I think Dennis (D-Sonic) works or worked for Cullen Circuits(Wyred4Sound) which also makes PSAudio stuff, probably gets the cases from them, and puts the modules in and has a seperate facia made up to slap on the thing, and out the door it goes. He is a solid guy to deal with, and was quick with service and communication.

I know this is a pretty close relationship between all these guys, as when I was ordering my amp, it was delayed because the 250modules were delayed in customs, and both Wyred4Sound's, and PS Audio's were both delaying customers at the same time...

 

[MidnightSensi]

I agree with ya there all the way.... Nice kitchen table bro... I've seen better pics on ebay.... Its not that hard. but I can vouch for the build quality he has put in on these amps... they are seriously solid and put out the power. But it really doesn't speak much about reputation.

I think Dennis (D-Sonic) works or worked for Cullen Circuits(Wyred4Sound) which also makes PSAudio stuff, probably gets the cases from them, and puts the modules in and has a seperate facia made up to slap on the thing, and out the door it goes. He is a solid guy to deal with, and was quick with service and communication.

I know this is a pretty close relationship between all these guys, as when I was ordering my amp, it was delayed because the 250modules were delayed in customs, and both Wyred4Sound's, and PS Audio's were both delaying customers at the same time...

I haven't tried any of the amps we are talking about here, but if you are into high power stuff take a look at Lab.Gruppen. They are actually pro-sound amps, and I consider them a tad overpriced as well ... but they make a really nice looking product if you have a Mid Atlantic rack or something. They have a really nice enclosure and make good power.... very sexy all lined up.

Power output is fairly consistant with other stuff I have tried in the same price range, but the power supplies and protection on the Labs is I think their underrated advantage. Some of the high powered stuff, especially the well built high powered stuff, will just send voicecoils flying and not even realize it. The Labs tend to protect themselves and your gear. It's like cheap insurance.

What's your application for these amps? Big big theater?

 

[itschris]

Just to keep the current daydream alive... what processor would you pair with it. I was thinking the Integra would look really nice with it, but I'm not sure if that's a little "beneath" those amps. Not sure. I was thinking Classe, Linn, but a lot those aren't fully up to date wth current trends and technology like the latest HDMI and upcomversion. I'm thinking as of today, I'd put that $2k Pio Elite bd player with it. I've growing fond of Martin Logan again. I keep envisioning how nice a 7.1 system can really look with a pair of Logan's flush mounted on the side walls.

 

[Warpdrv]

I haven't tried any of the amps we are talking about here, but if you are into high power stuff take a look at Lab.Gruppen. They are actually pro-sound amps, and I consider them a tad overpriced as well ... but they make a really nice looking product if you have a Mid Atlantic rack or something. They have a really nice enclosure and make good power.... very sexy all lined up.

Power output is fairly consistant with other stuff I have tried in the same price range, but the power supplies and protection on the Labs is I think their underrated advantage. Some of the high powered stuff, especially the well built high powered stuff, will just send voicecoils flying and not even realize it. The Labs tend to protect themselves and your gear. It's like cheap insurance.

What's your application for these amps? Big big theater?

Very nice on the Lab.Gruppen, those look like some great units....

My application is my (Don't Laugh).... Bedroom...
Powering, or should I say, mostly idling on my Paradigm Sigs...

Just to keep the current daydream alive... what processor would you pair with it. I was thinking the Integra would look really nice with it, but I'm not sure if that's a little "beneath" those amps. Not sure. I was thinking Classe, Linn, but a lot those aren't fully up to date wth current trends and technology like the latest HDMI and upcomversion. I'm thinking as of today, I'd put that $2k Pio Elite bd player with it. I've growing fond of Martin Logan again. I keep envisioning how nice a 7.1 system can really look with a pair of Logan's flush mounted on the side walls.

The New Integra is looking pretty good for the price... I'm even seeing some people that have sold their Anthem D2 for the new Integra 9.9. Here's a good thread that is pretty complete with everything that has/is been announced or released. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940065

 

[Davemcc]

I think the Integra is an great choice for a preamp (obviously). I don't really see the value in the other high end expensive competitors in the category considering it's like a $5K jump into the Denon pre/pro or the Anthem D2 V.2, but that may just be me. Rotel looks like it's stepping up with modern features in an affordable pre/pro. The relatively budget minded contenders seem to be Integra/Onkyo, Marantz and Rotel. The really high end companies, as Chris mentioned above, seem to be having difficulty keeping up with the modern features associated with HDMI.

 

[Adam]

Hey, Chris. Let me know if/when you want to find a new loving home for your Macs.

 

[itschris]

Hey, Chris. Let me know if/when you want to find a new loving home for your Macs.

I don't have the Macs....yet. I've only booted them from my wishlist. We're going to be moving at some point and will likely build our next house. The goal will be to build a really nice media room. Not a theater, but a room much like a family room where you can feel just as comfortable spending your time in as any other room, but it will be dedicated to theater and audio, but versatile enough to be used just hang out in.

With that in mind. I've been planning on getting the stuff I've alwasys really wanted.k I never used to like Mac, but as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the looks. And for this redo, when it happens, it's very much going to be about looks. I know that sounds odd to say, but my theory is that the level of equipment I'm looking at is already of the higher end quality. I'm not concerned about if I have this or that because I already feel secure that performance is already handled in the level of components I'm thinking of buying. So in that regard, my emphasis will be getting stuff that I just really really like and will do what I want.

I thought I really wanted the Mac amps, but now I've booted them for the Jeff Rowland ones. They're very close in price.

Im sure I'll change my mind by the time the "time" comes, but when and hopefully not "if" it happens, I'll be sure to consult with my brothers in arms here on the site. For now, it's just a not too far off pipedream, but it's still fun to think and talk about.