Found Perfect Amp For My Needs, But Is It Too Old?


While traveling last fall, I visited an old friend in Houston. Knowing I have, for a very long time, been serious about audio,and music, he introduced me to a neighbor, that he knew was also of like mind. I spent the better part of an evening listening to his wonderful system and talking audio.

What struck me the most about his system, a number of components of which I was familiar with, were the Jeff Rowland Model 6 mono's, which literally produced the best sound I have ever heard from a solid state amplifier (and I've been a died in the wool tubes guy). He was even kind enough to take the time to allow me to hear them connected to the preamp and cd player from his "office system" the Modwright LS100, and the Oppo Model 95, both of which I own.

My question surrounds the question of long term reliability, and/or servicing that older Rowland amplifiers might need. His performed perfectly, but the situation with those is likely a somewhat unusual case. He was the original owner, and purchased them locally. Since then, thay have never moved from their original place of installation in his listening room, while also being connected to dedicated power, as well as expensive power conditioning equipment. A rare, optimum situation.

I seem to recall reading often that caps need replacement in older amplifiers. And I expect servicing of the amplifers by Rowland might well cost very serious money. Possibly as much as buying some amplifiers?

Having heard those Model 6 monoblocks, I would dearly love to locate and buy a pair. But I need to be able to count on twenty years of service due to certain recent events. These would resolve an issue I've had since last year, in being unable to uncover any tubed amplifiers that will produce the power I need, that I can afford, and which will also not massively overheat my small listening area. And my experimentation with solid state has been less than completely satisfying.

Of course the other problem I am facing is that the Model 6's almost never appear for sale. Granted, there are a rare pair for sale at the moment, here, but both faceplates are badly scratched, and the asking price is far too high in that condition.
nightfall

Showing 5 responses by jmcgrogan2

You have good tastes Nightfall, I agree that JRDG's Model 6 monblocks were the best SS amps I have ever owned. I also owned a Model 2 as Danielk141 talks about, and I preffered them without the battery packs. I agree that the price for the pair on Audiogon now is too high. You should be able to grab a nice pair for $3000-$3500. Looking back, I regret selling mine.

As for re-capping, I think that sometime in the next 20 years they will need service, probably a cap change. However, whether you ship them to JRDG for this service or have a local tech provide it is up to you. I also agree with Danielk141 in that leaving them powered up 24/7 will not only provide the best sound, but will allow them to grow old gracefully.

IMHO, JRDG hit their peak with the 2/6/8/9 series of amps in the mid to late 90's. Earlier samples were a bit too dark, more recent models a bit too bright. He had it just right with the 2/6/8/9 amps.
JC, it's funny you should mention that. There was a pair of Model 6's sitting on Audiogon for almost a month. They must have just sold or the ad expired. The guy was asking $3500 for the pair. I was watching closely, especially because the seller only lived about 100 miles from me.

In the end, I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. Funds are tight these days, and I had just purchased a new preamp that pretty much left me broke (especially after buying some fancy tubes). It's all just a matter of right place, right time.....and being patient.

Cheers,
John
Nightfall, here's a link to that pair of Model 6 amps I was talking about. It looks like they expire in about 22 hours. Yeah, he spelt the name wrong AND has no feedback, but since he 'lives' about a 100 miles away, I was thinking of taking a look at them, maybe cash n' carry. The pair I used to own had the black faceplate too, I like that better than the silver.

The problem is, like I said before, I'm kinda tapped out for cash at the moment. I COULD do it, but I SHOULDN'T do it. Then I'd have to buy a couple more power cords with 20A IEC's......it never ends. GREAT AMPS though.

@Tom6897, I did hear the Model 112 at a dealer's, it wasn't bad, but for some reason, JRDG just never seemed to relocate that magic it had in the midrange when they changed to their digital switching amps. Like I said earlier, I think Jeff reached his pinnacle with the 2/6/8/9 series of amps. Earlier models were a bit too dark, and the newer models, with the digital switching, just never grabbed me in an emotional way that his earlier amps did.
Yeah, I understand, probably wouldn't work for you (or me). They are the color I like and fairly close, but like I said, I'm tight on cash at this moment.

If they were not the color I wanted, and 600 miles away, the incorrect spelling and no feedback would probably scare me off.

Oh well, that's life on the 'Gon. Another pair will come along. They are fairly rare, but not as rare as some other equipment, like a Klyne preamp.

Cheers,
John
Dale, Peter has already responded on this thread with a link about his B2B-100 amplifier. Look for the post above by Pbnaudio on 2/20/13.