Complemented by the ultimate refinement of its own DC battery power, the Criterion Reference Preamplifier simply delivers a transcendent musical experience: the Jeff Rowland hallmark of the ultimate sensuous and grain-free musicality, combined with unparalleled transparency and low level resolution. A vast 3-dimensional sound stage materializes into the physical listening space, where instruments and vocalists assume the textured appearance of solid existence.

The Criterion yields exceptional frequency extension and linearity, with magnificent bass definition, an extraordinarily complex exposure of harmonic structure, and a sweetly filigreed treble. It exhibits the most nuanced low level detail and micro-dynamics of any JRDG preamplifiers ever, while comfortably besting them with its supreme transient speed, staggering authority, and breath-taking macro dynamics.

The Criterion's sensuous musicality, sonic excellence, and trend setting usability features are products of a sophisticated architecture that pushes the limits of today’s technological art. The preamplifier’s elegant topology is completely balanced in the input phases, in circuit, and output phases.

The Criterion features a twin chassis mechanical package milled from ingots of premium aircraft-grade aluminum, ground-breaking dual AC/battery power management, fully isolated transformer-coupled balanced and single-ended inputs and outputs, military-grade 4-layer ceramic boards, incredibly low noise and high gain differentially balanced OPA1632 audio amplifier modules at its core.

The Criterion reference preamplifier stands at the intersection of paradigmatic innovations within the Jeff Rowland tradition of uncompromising engineering, green technologies, impeccable craftsmanship, and personal expression—exacting JRDG artistic and technological standards that turn innovations into heirlooms.

Specifications

Overall Gain:

Independently Programmable 0 to 20 dB on each input

Gain Range:
99.5 dB, 199 Equal Increments

Gain Resolution:
0.5 dB, +/- 0.03 dB Over Entire Range

Frequency Response:
10 Hz – 300 kHz, -3 dB @ 8 ohms

Maximum Input Level:
13.5 volts (RMS) @ 0 dB Gain

Maximum Output Level:
13.5 volts (RMS)

THD + Noise:
< .003% @ 2 volt (RMS) Output, 50 Hz – 20 kHz

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 100 dB
Common Mode Rejection Ratio: > 90 dB, 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Channel Separation:
99.5 dB

Input Impedance:
40k ohms Balanced or Unbalanced

Output Impedance:
60 ohms Balanced or Unbalanced

Inputs:
4 pair Balanced (XLR), 2 pair Unbalanced (RCA)

Outputs:
2 pair Balanced (XLR), 2 pair Unbalanced (RCA) for Main Out, 1 pair Balanced (XLR), 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA) for Record Out

Power Consumption:
Min – 15 watts, Max – 50 watts depending on Battery Recharge Rate

Power Supply:
Universal Voltage Input Power Supply with selectable Off-line NiMh Battery Power Supply and Charger

Display:
320 x 32 dot Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD)

Preamplifier Weight:
46 lbs / 21 kg

Overall Dimensions (H) x (W) x (D):
6.4” x 15.5” x 12.3” (162mm x 394mm x 311mm)