Wow - the last review was in 2002? The JRDG Model 1 is an audiophile classic!

2013 - For those of you doing your homework I have nothing but praise for the M1. I lusted after the Levinson #29 for years (years) and when I could finally afford one it couldn't compare to the M1 in my system at the time. A good lesson as the #29 is a really great amp, but a system is a system and not a single component.

The Model 1 is a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful sounding Class A (I believe) amp by any standard - even the highest. I leave my main system on all the time and switched to a current model JRDG amp (the 102) to save on power, but had to make many, many adjustments to my rig to make it work.

The Model 1 is an audiophile classic and I do not say that lightly. Give it a try if you think it might work for your system.

Cheers

Reproduces the music and vocals. You are there in the room. You can feel the heat from the performance.

None in my application.

At the time of purchase it was my single most expensive audio purchase ever. I think that I have experienced a gradual growth in amplifier ownership. This Jeff Rowland is without a doubt the most enjoyable amplifier that I own. I currently have the classic ADCOM 535II, Forte Model-1, and Golden Tube Audio SE-40. All provide excellent enjoyment for the money, and I have felt nothing but pleasure at each level, but this is the first amp, in which I have not wondered what was at the next level. The Jeff Rowland Model 1 has superb build quality user defined utility reliability and most of all it has palpable sonic characteristics. I have paired it with an Audible Illusions L1 Pre-amp, Martin Logan Aerius I speakers, Kimber Kable Silver Streak, Hero interconnects MIT MH-750 Bi-wire Shotgun speaker cable Hsu VTF Sub, and most recently Sony SACD players CE-775 and NS-500. I cannot even begin to explain the satisfaction that this system has given my family and me. This amp compares with Audio Research Classe Plinius Mark Levinson and BAT products. I know that there are super components out there, but at this price range I am in sonic heaven. I highly recommend it on the pre-owned market.

Similar Products Used:

Mark Levinson Classe, Plinius NAD Golden Tube Audio

Hard to believe I have had this amp 3 years now. I used to change a lot of equipment, but that all stopped once I bought a Model 1 and a Cononance Pre-Amp. Unbelieveably quiet, smooth, and powerful. Drives my inefficient speakers quite nicely in a full size room and doesn't run out of steam. The interior layout is beautiful. My amp was supplied with the option of a platic cover, just in case you want to show off. Very well built and modest in size compared to all of these 200 lb super amps nowadays.

None I can think of, other than I just gave away one of HI-Fi's great secrets.

Incredible Amp

Neutral, very good power supply, flat response, silky treble

Hard to tell.

It is like a German Shepherd dog: It does not excel in any single area, but it does all things very well. It runs in class A mode up to 25 or so watts and it has reasonably high output current: 22 continuous amps and 55 amps at peaks!

This is maybe one of the best amplifiers ever made. Really a true classic this one. I have listened to it with different models of Proacs and Audio Physics and it does a great job with all of them. If you want something that is just a little bit better than this you will have to pay very very big money. And then... If you can get one of these secondhand, then go for it!