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  #21  
Old 01-23-2013, 01:03 AM
Bodhisattva
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Originally Posted by ChisChas View Post
David

It would be really helpful if you could give us a bit of detail concerning your impression re Corus + 725 combo?

The combo very well reviewed in Absolute Sounds magazine recently, did you see the review?

Charlie
Hi Charlie, the 725/Corus combo certainly sounded very transparent & has some tube-like warmth. Power and build quality are both excellent. There is just something about those Rowland amps which I find fatiguing. I can't put a finger on why. I'm not sure if it's their use of switch mode power supplies or liberal use of op amps, but anyway that was just my experience. For similar money, I would personally prefer a pair of Vitus SM-010 mono blocks which to me sound more analogue and musical.

Don't get me wrong, I can see how many people would like the sound of the the Rowlands however. I should note I haven't heard the D'Agostino amps, though their design and overwhelmingly positive writes up suggest they are special. It's possible if I heard the Momentum S or mono's I wouldn't like them. As always, it comes down to personal preference. Hope that helps.

Cheers,
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  #22  
Old 01-23-2013, 09:39 AM
ChisChas ChisChas is offline
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Originally Posted by Bodhisattva View Post
Hi Charlie, the 725/Corus combo certainly sounded very transparent & has some tube-like warmth. Power and build quality are both excellent. There is just something about those Rowland amps which I find fatiguing. I can't put a finger on why. I'm not sure if it's their use of switch mode power supplies or liberal use of op amps, but anyway that was just my experience. For similar money, I would personally prefer a pair of Vitus SM-010 mono blocks which to me sound more analogue and musical.

Don't get me wrong, I can see how many people would like the sound of the the Rowlands however. I should note I haven't heard the D'Agostino amps, though their design and overwhelmingly positive writes up suggest they are special. It's possible if I heard the Momentum S or mono's I wouldn't like them. As always, it comes down to personal preference. Hope that helps.

Cheers,
Thanks, David, for the feedback.

I think it must be the first time I've heard someone describe an amp as having tube like warmth and then go on to say they found the amps 'fatiguing'.

An interesting and intriguing comment
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  #23  
Old 01-23-2013, 09:44 AM
ChisChas ChisChas is offline
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Ok here's a nice direct question for you all!

Pretend a DAG Momentum stereo amp costs the same as a pair of Jeff Rowland725 monos, which would you like?

Both beautifully made, one is 200w stereo, the other 330w monos (not that we want to get too hung up with numbers).

There are surely advantages in having mono amps, usually a bit more separation?
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  #24  
Old 01-23-2013, 12:04 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
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I know conventional wisdom says mono amps are better. In my experience with Burmester 911 stereo/mono amps. I much preferred the stereo amp to the mono version. In my reading of the reviews of the D'Agostino amps, I get the sense that given similar power requirements, the stereo is just as capable and maybe has the slightest bit of added warmth to the sound. So, I'd get the stereo amp. You could always add another and convert to mono.
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  #25  
Old 01-23-2013, 12:17 PM
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jazzhead jazzhead is offline
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. So, I'd get the stereo amp. You could always add another and convert to mono.
Any idea on the conversion processes , is it a factory retrofit or a a simpler dealer able procedure ?
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  #26  
Old 01-23-2013, 12:49 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
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Any idea on the conversion processes , is it a factory retrofit or a a simpler dealer able procedure ?
I believe a factory retrofit. Maybe running 2 stereo amps might be an even better proposition.
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  #27  
Old 01-23-2013, 01:23 PM
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GaryProtein GaryProtein is offline
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Originally Posted by ChisChas View Post
Ok here's a nice direct question for you all!

Pretend a DAG Momentum stereo amp costs the same as a pair of Jeff Rowland725 monos, which would you like?

Both beautifully made, one is 200w stereo, the other 330w monos (not that we want to get too hung up with numbers).

There are surely advantages in having mono amps, usually a bit more separation?
Of all the potential advantages, I doubt very much this is one you could hear at all. You can test this on your own stereo amps. Just disconnect the left channel of your power amp input, listen to the right channel with your ear against the speaker. I bet you hear NOTHING, not a whisper of what is on the left. Separation is so high these days you can't hear any seepage from one channel to the next.

Last edited by GaryProtein; 01-23-2013 at 01:26 PM.
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  #28  
Old 01-24-2013, 01:24 AM
jpgr4blu jpgr4blu is offline
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I had the opportunity to audition the Dag stereo amp in my system at home in December. It confirmed what I heard in the showroom. I can state without hesitation that the Dag was the most liquid, transparent and musical solid state amp I have heard in the 15 years that I have been searching for a ss amp that can deliver the liquidity, palpability and dimensionality of tubes. Cannot say it bettered my Ref 150 in that respect but it got 80% of the way there with the added benefit of greater transparency and a better bottom end. Not to mention its tres cool looks. No other ss amp has drawn me in like that. At the end of the sessions I had a greater admiration for both amps. The ARC for hanging in with the Dag and the Dag for being such a musical but transparent ss powerhouse.
I am considering adding the Dag to my arsenal sometime this year.
I have heard Rowland amps, although not this generation.
V good. But did not connect with me the way the Dag did.
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  #29  
Old 01-24-2013, 05:09 AM
Bodhisattva
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Originally Posted by ChisChas View Post
Thanks, David, for the feedback.

I think it must be the first time I've heard someone describe an amp as having tube like warmth and then go on to say they found the amps 'fatiguing'.

An interesting and intriguing comment
I'm not sure if it is the Rowland's presentation or some high frequency artifice which was the culprit. I can only say that was my experience. As always, all that matters is what sounds good to your ears.. I'd love to hear the Momentum stereo/pre combo some time. Maybe at the next Melbourne High End show if Advance Audio book a room..

Last edited by Bodhisattva; 01-24-2013 at 07:28 AM.
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  #30  
Old 01-24-2013, 07:43 AM
ChisChas ChisChas is offline
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Originally Posted by jpgr4blu View Post
I had the opportunity to audition the Dag stereo amp in my system at home in December. It confirmed what I heard in the showroom. I can state without hesitation that the Dag was the most liquid, transparent and musical solid state amp I have heard in the 15 years that I have been searching for a ss amp that can deliver the liquidity, palpability and dimensionality of tubes. Cannot say it bettered my Ref 150 in that respect but it got 80% of the way there with the added benefit of greater transparency and a better bottom end. Not to mention its tres cool looks. No other ss amp has drawn me in like that. At the end of the sessions I had a greater admiration for both amps. The ARC for hanging in with the Dag and the Dag for being such a musical but transparent ss powerhouse.
I am considering adding the Dag to my arsenal sometime this year.
I have heard Rowland amps, although not this generation.
V good. But did not connect with me the way the Dag did.
Another very useful post which reinforces what I already knew of the DAG Momentum stereo amp. It was very well reviewed in Hi Fi News and whilst I haven't seen one in the flesh, it looks gorgeous in the photos.

And why shouldn't some of us want hi fi kit that also looks great? And others like the industrial look...........Each to their own and the variety adds spice.

The other advantage the Momentum has over your Ref 150 is that it won't need revalving every 2 or so years.

The Momentum is obviously something special but is it also the safe choice?
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Digital: McIntosh MCD1100 Preamp: Jeff Rowland Corus. Power Amps: Two Leema Acoustics Hydra 2
Speakers: Wilson Benesch ACT C60's Power Conditioner: Isotek Sigmas with Synchro cable Cables: Audioquest & Chord Table: Quadraspire Suunto Vent. Isolation: Audiophile Base Stratabase platforms
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