Description
Jeff Rowland Conductor Phono Preamplifier
The Jeff Rowland Conductor Phono Preamplifier is the same size as the 535 model and is highly configurable. It will be universal, i.e. it will automatically determine certain key parameters (TBC). It also has a manual override for these settings.
The driver can be ordered with a single input if desired and upgraded at any time with one to three additional inputs, allowing the user to operate up to 4 different cells by simply changing the input knob. The fully optional phono driver stage will have four independent inputs, three low-output MC or MC inputs and one high-output MM input.
The driver can be powered from the PSU, or even an Aeris power supply with reduced performance. However, a full-width companion PSU is being designed, lower than the PSU, to power the driver. The performance of this power supply, although not 100% matched at the PSU level, will be better than the stock Aeris power supply.
Reviews
“I’ve been listening to the Conductor for a few weeks now, and WOW! The TOTALLY silent background allows every last speck of detail to be heard and appreciated. Dynamic contrasts are positively scintillating. I know you will be shocked at what you haven’t heard in your records. – Galen Carol Audio
Part-Time Audiophile: RMAF Show Introduction:
“An Input for Every Tonearm – The Rowland Conductor can be ordered with up to four separate inputs for audiophiles who use multiple tonearms or multiple analog rigs. Price is $8500 – $13600 depending on options such as number of inputs, or the availability of amorphous cores for the transformers). If there’s one trend I’m seeing this year when it comes to analog playback, it’s that a lot of people are using more than one tonearm on their turntables.
“The Rowland Conductor is the ultimate phono pre for those vinyl lovers. Sure, there have been phono stages that offer more than a single input, but the two-chassis Conductor (the second box is one of two power supplies—the stock Aeris and the optional PSU) goes to great lengths to isolate each one of those inputs from the other ones. Each input is highly configurable and easily accessed on the back panel.
Pay As You Go – “While the Rowland Conductor is a statement product for serious vinyl lovers, you can start off with just one input—even just an MM—and add as you go. In other words, you pay for what you need, and if you decide to jump down the analog rabbit hole, the Conductor will jump with you. The fit and finish of the Rowland products are simply stunning, and the sound quality, from my limited experience, is superb as well.
“Now that I’m officially the owner of more than one tonearm—I added a second arm just a few weeks ago—the Rowland Conductor phono preamplifier is an extremely attractive alternative.”
“The Jeff Rowland Design Group Conductor is obviously one of the finest phono stages I’ve encountered, a quiet and capable (and yes, gorgeous) piece of kit that brought my enjoyment of vinyl to an entirely new level. Highly recommended.” Part-Time Audiophile:
Features
- Inputs switch to line voltage, not microvolt cartridge level
- 4 front panel selectable inputs
- Mute
- Mono
- Left channel minus right channel for easy cartridge setup
- Fully transformer balanced inputs and outputs
- Fully balanced internal circuitry
- XLR and RCA inputs
- Crossover subsonic
Specifications
Gain: 42 dB MM, 52 dB High Output MC, 68 dB MC, 74dB Low Output MC
Max. Output Level: 16 V rms, balanced outputs
RIAA conformance. +/- 0.1dB, 30 Hz – 80kHz
S/N Ratio: 68 dB, ref. 0.5 mV@1 kHz, unweighted
THD: 0.0015%. 30 Hz – 20 kHz
CMRR: 110 dB, 20 Hz – 20kHz
