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Question for Rowland aficionados

I've been playing with an old Rowland Model One. In my system, it sounds dark and closed in on top, a bit grainy, but it also reproduces the most extraordinary intrumental tone, so lifelike that it oftens fools me in the "that sounds just like a real saxophone" way. My Pass 150 never does this, nor does my CJ 11a (to the same extent that the Rowland does). This could be just great system synergy that's going on, but I'm betting it's a characteristic of the Rowland.

So here's my question: is this a quality of other Rowland amps? As the line has evolved since the Model One, how has the sound changed? I want that lifelike tone with, of course, a bit more extension on top and so forth.

I might as well also ask: which other amplifiers (other brands) do you think can deliver this uncanny lifelike quality?

-Dan
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Showing 1 response by kevziek

kevziek
323 posts
 
This brings up the great debate: Does one piece of electronics produce more of the musical reality? Or, is this just an enrichment of fatter-sounding harmonics, or some type of additive, that lead our ears to hear it was more real?

A tough question, and one that probably can't be answered definitively. In my own audiophile quest, I don't care any more. If it sounds more like music to me, even if it is added harmonics, etc. ---- I'll take it.

No electronic piece reproduces accuracy. They all miss the mark and have their individual sonic thumbprint. If a piece of electronics makes 90% of my music collection sound more real, involves me in the music more, that is the litmus test for me.
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