Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated review by Roy Gregory at TheAudioBeat.com...

cmalak

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Jeff Rowland Design Group Continuum S2 Integrated Amplifier - The Audio Beat - www.TheAudioBeat.com

Very interesting read. This seems like quite an accomplished integrated. You can also get DAC and phono modules added as well for a true one-box solution. The majority of the review is focused on the integrated amp but he does spend a considerable time going over his impressions of the add-on modules. Highly recommended for anyone considering an integrated and even those who are not. Seems like Class D has come a long way, and, Roy Gregory gives a thoroughly positive review of a Class D amp for the first time with Continuum S2.

Some pics and a video of the CNC machining used to carve out the bodies of various JRDG products from solid aluminum billets:

jeff_rowland_continuum_2.jpg


 
Jeff could not think of another name than the Aussie Turntable?
 
Shane...not sure what you're referring to here?
 
Nice gear and article. I enjoyed the video due to being a Toolmaker / Machine Designer for 25 years in my last profession. I used to machine similar parts out of solid chunks but not for audio except for when I worked at a shop building the original Versa Dynamics Turntables.
 
Anybody other than Roy heard the Continuum S2? Lars of Raidho is using this for demos, so it should be respectable.
 
I just did a search for "reviews" on the Rowland Knowledge Base:

Jeff Rowland :: Current Product Reviews

This far, for Continuum S2, the only review listed is Roy Gregory's article on TheAudioBeat

I do not own Continuum S2, but I listened to it at RMAF 2013 several hours over the three days of the show... I was honestly impressed by the musical involvement that it generated... As much as its predecessor (Continuum 500) left me unenthusiastic because of a slight rough edge to the C500 presentation and a somewhat two-dimensionality of the stage/images, the sound of S2 was utterly delightful, particularly on the last day... By Sunday the machine had been making music for about a week or so since it emerged from the assembly floor... I wonder how a CS2 with a good 1K hours of music on it would sound.

Guido
 
Guido,

Useful information on the S2, thanks for sharing. Given you knowledge and first hand experience with Rowland gear how close would you rank the S2 in comparison to the 625 amp (or others) in the Rowland line?

Tim
 
I have had an S2 since last Monday. I am very impressed with it. It really plays music. The last time I spent anytime with Rowland gear I was not impressed. That was 10 years ago or so.

At first the S2 was a little lean but after a couple days it balanced out and if anything is a touch warm. But after 3 days - who knows how it will be next week.

It seems like a great value so far. It has the "tap your toe" music involvement.
 
I'm pretty sure this integrated was at RMAF a few months ago. I spoke with Jeff Rowland at the show. He was very excited about his new products - including this integrated. Really nice guy.
 
Jock...congrats! Did you get the S2 with the DAC and phono modules on board? If yes (for either or both) how would you characterize their performance?
 
I have had an S2 since last Monday. I am very impressed with it. It really plays music. The last time I spent anytime with Rowland gear I was not impressed. That was 10 years ago or so.

At first the S2 was a little lean but after a couple days it balanced out and if anything is a touch warm. But after 3 days - who knows how it will be next week.

It seems like a great value so far. It has the "tap your toe" music involvement.

Jock congratulations. Keep us posted on the sound......
 
I did get the phono board. I have no idea how it sounds. I don't have a record player. I figured I would get it because you just never know.
 
I got the opportunity to audition the Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 recently and I thought very highly of it. It is quite an advance over its predecessor the C-500 which I admired for its hi-fi abilities (particularly bass control and sound-stage) but could not love because whilst it nicely joined Hi-Fi dots it lacked warmth and the ability to communicate emotional soul which is delicately woven into great music.


I read Roy Gregory’s review and I was amazed that he did not mention the greatest attribute of the Continuum S2 – the attribute which actually sets it apart from many of its rivals and makes this one of the best integrated amplifiers I’ve heard. So let me fill you in on the Gregory GAP – that attribute is blackness. The S2 provides a stunningly black backdrop for the music to reside. Partner the S2 with a quiet speaker like the Raidho C-1.1 (or better if the funds allow) and enjoy musical reproduction few systems south of $50k can provide.
 
Hi Tim,,

at RMAF 2013 I listened to Continuum S2 + Aeris DAC + Cardas Clear/Beyond wires driving Raidho D1 speakers in the Rowland room. The Nordost suite instead was showing M625 + Corus + Aeris driving Audio Physics speakers through Valhalla 2 wires... Both systems were wonderfully musical and resolving in their own way.

Yet, as the amps are so different -- integrated vs stereo -- and their complement of electronics, speakers, and wires largely different as well, it is difficult to isolate the effect of the amplification section from the whole.

One should rather look at the applicability of the two devices... CS2 yields obvious functional integration with its combination of integrated amp plus phono/DAC, while M625 lends itself to greater system flexibility, having amongst other things, two sets of binding posts for driving biwirable speakers, versus the single pair of output connectors of CS2.

As for an audible comparison with M825 and M925... CS2/M625 serve a fractional pricepoint from M925/M825... with predictable audible differences.

Guido
 
Just did a comparison between the S2 after a week of burn in and the D'Agostino preamp and Dag power amps.

No the S2 isn't better. In any way really. BUT........ For $9500 vs $90,000ish. The better value hands down is the S2. I know - how can you compare the two. You can't. But it's the two systems I can easily compare. Sorry.

The S2s don't leave you wanting more. You don't feel lacking. Yes the Dags are better, but you know, I can't say I didn't get into the music any different with either. Any really, is there anything else?

My congrats to Rowland. We'll done......
 
Very nice, Jock. I love Rowland gear. Does the S2 have optional phono/Dac cards available?
 
Yep both. Roy Gregory said the DAC was ok but that the phono was very good.
 
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