New Rowland Criterion 2-chassis battery pre


Jeff Rowland Design has just created a page for its upcoming statement-level, twin chassis, battery powered full function preamplifier. Detail is still scant, but a little bit of info is already available, in addition to front and rear view pics. Here’s the page:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion.htm
And here’s the front view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-front.htm
And here’s the rear view:
http://jeffrowland.com/Criterion-back.htm

You will find a few specs already on the site. JRDG should be publishing more info in the next few weeks. I will post here as I receive it. in addition to the published specs that you can read on the page above, here are a very few additional tidbits that I have learned this far:

. Uses Burr Brown TI OPA1632 high speed fully differentially balanced modules.
. Includes phono stage.
. Uses standard NiMH D-cell batteries available in most electronics stores, loaded in 2 rear-inserted tubes of power supply chassis.
. Capable of AC/DC operation . . . will recharge batteries on independent circuit during AC operation.
. Full remote control
. Target price $18K (not sure yet)
. Availability: probably early Fall 2008.
. Will be featured at RMAF in Soundings Hifi suite Marriott 503 or 505 from Oct 10th to 12th in Denver.

And sorry folks, I have not heard this device yet. Nor I have any good third party reports on its sound. Any speculations on Sonics from my part would be just. . . pure speculations. I’ll keep everyone posted as I learn more.

Guido
guidocorona
Obrigadissimo Brazcole, I did not know that my name was in the movies. Now going back to Criterion. . . you are probably one of the very first lucky audiophiles to receive Criterionin the Americas. That is why we are kindly asking you to write your impressions on this discussion thread. . . . here are some specific questions:

1. Did you receive the remote control for the Criterion?

2. Criterion can operate both connected to the wall electricity (outlet (AC), as well as on its internal battery. Have you already listened to it both on AC and on battery? Was the sound any different? Can you describe the difference?

Finally, it is very likely that the Criterion will need to be used and make music for a few hundred hours before sounding its best. . . the process is often called 'break in'. Please let us know how the sound changes as you 'break in' the unit. Typical interest points are:

. Brand new.
. 25 hours.
. 50 hours.
. 100 hours.
. 200 hours.
. 300 hours.
500 hours.
. 700 hours.
. 1000 hours.

I have created a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to help tracking break in progress. I'll be glad to send it to you if you send me an email.

Grazie mille,

Guido
Husk, if you think about it. . . English speaking audiophiles may be very well the only kind of humans in the world -- besides insurance scammers -- who actively plan for their precious property to be 'broken in'! (grins!). . . minor idiomatic misunderstandings are more than. . . understandable. G.
I would like to see a photograph of the Criterion surrounded by the "most beautiful women in the World", the ones straight from the streets of Rio. I am sure Jeff would like to have a shot like that as well. That would be some carnival! :-)