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Starting an Analog front end - Rowland?

Guido (resident Rowland expert) and other Audiogoners –

My current system consists of Wadia 270/27ix, Jeff Rowland 302, Avalon Eidolon’s, and Cardas Golden Reference. I have the Wadia direct into the 302.

I have started to get the itch to add a vinyl set up to my system and would need to add a preamp and phono-pre to the system. I am planning to get a VPI Aries III with a Dynavector cartridge but need help with the preamp and amp set up. I like the midrange and holography of tubes with nice tight solid state bass. My current system does that fairly well, especially with the 302.

My plan was to get a Rowland preamp and phono-pre. I really wanted both the preamp and phono -pre to be in a separate chassis. Since Rowland doesn’t currently make a phono-pre, I think I will try to track down a Cadence on Audiogon. The preamp I am most concerned about because I will likely run both my digital and my analog through it. Right now Rowland has only the Capri and the Criterion and the price is difference is vast between the two. I know that many have raved over the Capri, but I just can’t help but have the feeling that Rowland will release a preamp in the ‘Synergy Iii or Concerto range’ to fit a price point in between the Capri and Criterion.

I realize I may be a bit foolish being concerned over the Capri ‘not being enough preamp due to its price point’, but based on my system as described above, should I go for a used Concerto or Synergy Iii, a Capri, or wait for Rowland to release something new. Also, any news on a new phono-pre in the pipeline at JRDG?

Thanks in advance for any input and advice.

Phil
philb7777

Showing 2 responses by raquel

raquel
841 posts
 
None of the above - because of the obvious synergies with your 302, I would stay with Rowland, but for bang for the buck, I suggest a used Coherence II and Cadence combo.

The Cadence sounds best when run from the battery power supply of the Coherence II (I have the A/C power supply and the battery power supply). I just saw the above post comparing the Cadence to the Rhea. The Cadence is not at the exalted level of the Coherence II - I suggest the Einstein if you want to shoot higher, as it is fully differential balanced to compliment the Coherence II and is solid-state (most tube phono stages are too noisy, especially the ones with tubes in the input stage - noise at preamplification stages in a top-shelf system is extremely deleterious to great sound). The Cadence is still very good, but I again stress the importance of running from batteries.

The Coherence II is very transparent, musical, super-quiet (crucial in a preamp) and, unusually for a solid-state preamp, layers space as well or better than tube pre's. I have not heard the Criterion, but the Coherence II is still a top-shelf preamp (I've had mine for six years).

In this environment, you should be able to pick up both for $7k. The batteries last 5-7 years and cost $100 to replace.

As for the $3k Capri, when you hear reviewers say that it sounds better than any preamp short of the Criterion and is one of Jeff's best works, use your head - audio is no different than anything else - you get what you pay for.
raquel
841 posts
 
Guido: I had a well broken in Capri in my system for a week, driving either my darTZeel or my VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk. III. In no performance parameter did it equal or best my Coherence II. As for why my post did not mention this, I was trying to convey my findings in a slightly more genteel way, by pointing out that a preamp priced at $14,500 ten years ago would best something from today priced at $3k.

Speaking of component comparisons, I enjoyed your review in the Absolute Sound of the Vienna Acoustics Mahlers, a speaker I owned for six years, but thought it curious that there wasn't a word in the review to indicate you were reviewing a new version of the speaker ("V1.5"), and likewise not a word comparing the new version, which costs nearly $3k more than the old, to the old version. The mystery is compounded by the fact that V.A.'s site does not mention the new version at all, while the site of the U.S. distributor, Sumiko, shows only the new version, but uses the ad copy for the old - again, not a word about what the buyer is getting for the additional $3k. As you note, comparisons are helpful.
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