DAG Momentum Stereo or Jeff Rowland 725's?
 

I'm from London, UK and I'm upgrading at the moment, an expensive business that we all seem to go on for, all too regularly. The only reason I have a safe in my house is to hide my hi fi invoices from my (luckily not very inquisitive) wifey :D

So I collected a new Jeff Rowland Corus this week and it's a beautiful and fantastically well made bit of kit. Sounds very good so far but will no doubt get even better in due course.

The ACT C60's are 89db effeciency and do not present any particular challenges to an amplifier so either choice of new amp would have plenty of spare current capacity.

In the UK, you won't get any discount when purchasing a Momentum Stereo but some movement on JR kit as the brand has yet to be established in the UK so prices are very similar on actual purchase.

The Jeff Rowland 725's will match the Corus preamp I've just taken delivery of but which of us wouldn't want a DAG Momentum Stereo? It is a thing of particular beauty.

The Corus and 725's just very well reviewed in Absolute Sounds magazine, the Momentum Stereo has been very well reviewed in a number of American and UK hi fi magazines.

I should hopefully be able to borrow a Momentum Stereo for a home demo but no 725's in the UK.

I'm trying to find out what profile and success Jeff Rowland enjoy in the States? Can anyone comment on this? I have drawn the UK importer's attention to their absence on AA and I hope this will change.

Thank you in anticipation.

Hi ChisChas,

Congratulations on having a wonderful dilema. I suspect the Rowland will have terrific synergy with your preamp. I hope to hear the Momentum amp for myself soon to offer an opinion. If you hear either amp, please tell us what you think.

Thanks, Joe, for taking the trouble to respond.

Can probably borrow a DAG Momentum Stereo for a home dem as it has been reviewed in Hi Fi News but I'm pretty sure there are no 725's in the UK especially as it's a new product and the brand isn't well established like DAG due to the designer's long established reputation whilst at Krell.

Charlie

Hi Charlie,

I am familiar with the Rowland of old, having owned a Rowland Consummate preamp. It was a great preamp in its day. I've wanted to get more gear from him but something else always caught my ear. The new products look amazing and get great reviews.

As for the Dagostino, I am very tempted to just order the Dag momentum based on current owners here and other people I trust who have heard it. I'm sorry I can not say for sure which is "better". At this level, it's really personal taste. There are not many Rowland owners on this forum. Maybe that will change with your participation. Good luck.

Thank you, Joe

Can anyone else comment on how well Jeff Rowland is perceived in the States?

In the UK, the brand is hardly known at all and I believe that if the UK distributor spent some time on building the brand, this would change.

One concern I have because of the lack of profile in the UK is that if I wanted to sell or px any Jeff Rowland kit, I suspect the lack of profile would affect price and how long it took to sell the item?

I think the 725's are $28,000 but they cost £28,000 in the UK. A pair of Audio Research 250's are £25,000 in the UK, a ARC Ref 5 SE is £11,500.

I know the Dagostino Monos are more than $28,000 but how the 725's compare to the Dagostino monos?

Not a Roland owner, but like the sound, have heard their gear many times. It is very easy to listen to. In the States it is considered a premium brand and highly regarded. It is manufactured in Colorado and the company is employee owned. How long will DAG remain in business? (Remember Krell ???!!!) Isn't it made in China? No question I'd purchase Roland.

Dan makes everything is the USA. He can only produce about 30 items per month. This way he can keep his prices way up. I know people who is waiting/ have waited for gear for over two months.

The way his gear is getting accolades I think he's going to stay for a very long time, probably until he dies.

. . . . or gets divorced again! :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

Marriage is VERY bad for good companies.

Krell sold to Private Equity firm? | Stereophile.com

What Happened At Krell and Why The D'agostino Family Is Out

What Would Dan D'Agostino Do?

Jajajajja.

I met his wife Petra once. Quite a lovely lady if that might comfort somebody.

Maybe the next guy who gets to spend her (uhhh, DAN'S) money, but not the people who liked Krell.