Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Jeff Rowland Model 201 Amplifier (SS) by scientist

Model:	Model 201
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$4700
Description:	250 wpc monoblock amplifiers
Manufacturer URL:	Jeff Rowland
Model Picture:	View

Review by scientist ( A ) on June 25, 2004 at 09:11:00
IP Address: 170.224.224.134

Add Your Review
for the Model 201

I have been the satisfied user of the Jeff Rowland Synergy II preamp for several years now. It is a remarkable piece of music-reproduction apparatus, and I am content as a babe on a breast with it. More even. The Rowland equipment reflects the best aims of the high end, to produce instruments to make this hobby of ours good and fulfilling. Aims realized.
When the opportunity arose to purchase the Rowland 201 monoblocks (from Tim Harrison, of Audio Art in Richmond, Virginia), I decided to go for it. Though expensive, I was able to trade in a pair of Classe` Audio CAM-200 monoblocks with which I was also extremely happy. (I have also been the proud owner of several pieces of Classe` equipment and loved them all. That company really knows its business and at all levels is defined by its name, Class"y".)
The Rowland 201's, as is the case for the entire Rowland line, are beautiful, well built and sturdy, with art gallery looks and meticulous NASA-like engineering tolerances. Out of the sturdy boxes, the 201's added a depth and dimension to my listening (hard rock, jazz, classical, folk, world and country CDs and vinyl) that was striking and involving, that made me want to focus on the music and its nuances. Everything was clear and detailed, the music able to push through the electronics like a cool breeze on a hot day. I loved them right form the get-go. There are several CDs I use as comparison devices when I am setting up new equipment or evaluating a new tweak. One, "Canto, by Charles Lloyd, has an opening tune that is both beautiful and telling. Its mix of instruments -- first bass, followed by plucked piano strings, then drums and piano, then Lloyd's plaintive saxophone -- places the listener in a warm acoustic that is enveloping and hypnotic. The 201's removed any veil of distortion and this wonderful track shone through over and over again. The piano and drum transients, and the low notes associated with the bass, were reproduced faithfully and accurately. And then Lloyd stepped into my room and played for me. It was a great experience.
In the time the Rowland 201's have been in my system, I have grown even more attached to them and my appreciation for them has deepened. They represent the state-of-the-art in amplifier design, and in accurate musical reproduction. I don't know much about equipment interactions and how the "synergy" of equipment summates to produce individual listener's satisfaction, so one must attempt to see how any piece of equipment will "get along with" his other pieces. Further, I am not some golden-eared critic; I know only what I like. For me, I would recommend the Jeff Rowland Design Groupâ€™s Series 201 monoblock amplifiers to the connoisseur of music, the music lover, to those who enjoy music not just music reproduction. These are a fine product.

Product Weakness: They are pricey, but I would not refer to that as a weakness: you certainly get what you pay for.
Product Strengths: Outstanding sound quality; build quality exemplary; looks and aesthetics are unparalleled.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	JEFF ROWLAND 201'S
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	JEFF ROWLAND SYNERGY II
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	SOTA COMET W/ BENZ SILVER CARTRIDGE; THETA PEARL TRANSPORT; CHORD DAC 64; SONY SACD; PIONEER DVD; MSB DAC (FOR DVD -PLAYER); CREEK PHONO PREAMP; CREEK HEADPHONE AMP
Speakers:	VANDERSTEEN 3As
Cables/Interconnects:	ALPHA CORE; CARDAS; KIMBER
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	ROCK & ROLL; JAZZ; CLASSICAL; FOLK; COUNTRY; WORLD
Room Size (LxWxH):	25 x 19 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Wife's furniture and assorted gewgaws.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	1 year.
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	PS AUDIO PS 300 AND POWER CORD; POWER WEDGE; SYNERGYSTIC POWER CABLES
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	They are pricey, but I would not refer to that as a weakness: you certainly get what you pay for.
Product Strengths:	Outstanding sound quality; build quality exemplary; looks and aesthetics are unparalleled.