JRDG Company Special – Continuum 500 and 250
2009-2013
Retail Price Continuum approx 9.000 euro
Retail Price Continuum with phono approx 10.000 euro
The Continuum 500 utilises 500 watt ICE power modules much like those inside the 201, 501 and 300 series. In addition, the Continuum 500 incorporates Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuitry that provides a near linear transfer of energy from power line to speaker outputs, just like in the 300 series amplifiers. Power supply is Switch Mode (SMPS) with active power factor correction (PFC) and universal AC input voltage.
Refined by a massive 1500 Watts of pre power supply PFC rectification, and augmented by the tremendous authority of twin custom banks of bulk output capacitors. Continuum 500 combines tremendous authority, neutral extension, great imaging and staging, with the ability to recover minute sonic detail, an enviable harmonic richness, and an inherent capacity to control speakers ranging from full-range three ohms electrostatics and bipolars to large dynamic designs. The new DAC board is not compatible with the original Continuum.
Rowland’s latest products now feature a slightly curved frontpanel and are less wide (now 39,4 cm instead of 44,5 cm). Optional high quality internal phono preamp modules are available for around 1000 euro.
There’s also a 250 watt version:
Inspired by the rare synthesis of the Model 201 monoblock power amplifier with the Capri preamplifier and further augmented by the authority of twin custom banks of bulk output capacitors. The Continuum 250 delivers authority, neutral extension, and great imaging and staging, combined with the ability to expose fine sonic detail, harmonic richness, and an inherent capacity to control speakers ranging from many bipolars up to larger dynamic designs.
The original Continuum has a blue display while the later s2 has a green display.
Continuum 500 inside
Inside the bottom part are two ICE power modules
Inside the top part is extra power capacitance. Note the extra two brown capacitors for the Continuum 500. The circuit board has two empty spaces here for the 250 version.
Continuum 250 inside
Above: inside on the bottom part are 2 ICE power modules. Below: the top part contains extra power capacitance
Distinguishing Continuum 250/500 from s2
The second series Continuum can be recognised by the green display (the original Continuum has a blue display).
Continuum 500 specs
Output Power @ 8 ohms Continuous RMS 500 watts, both channels driven
Output Power @ 4 ohms Continuous RMS 1000 watts, both channels driven
Frequency Response 5 Hz – 45 kHz, -3 dB @ 8 ohms
Peak Output Current 40 amps
Dynamic Range 120 dBa
Load Impedance Range 3 ohms – 16 ohms
Input Impedance 48 k ohms
THD & Noise, 0.1 watts to Max Output < 0.1%, Typically .01% @ 1 kHz
Damping Factor @ 1 kHz > 1000
Gain Structure Preamplifier Section 14 dB, Amplifier Section 26 dB
Volume Control Range 99.5 dB
Volume Control Resolution 0.5 dB +/- 0.05 dB Over Entire Range
Common Mode Rejection Ratio > 85 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Inputs 2 pair Balanced (XLR), 2 pair Unbalanced (RCA) / 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA), Unity Gain (Bypass)
Outputs 1 pair Balanced (XLR), 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA) / 1 pair CE-Approved Speaker Wire Clamp
Power Consumption Idle – 60 watts, Max – 2000 watts
Power Supply Switch Mode (SMPS) with active power factor correction (PFC) and universal AC input voltage
Amplifier Weight 44 lbs / 20 kg
Amplifier Dimensions (H) x (W) x (D) 5.3″ x 15.5” x 15.0” (135mm x 394mm x 380mm)
Continuum 250 specs
Output Power @ 8 ohms Continuous RMS 250 watts, both channels driven
Output Power @ 4 ohms Continuous RMS 500 watts, both channels driven
Frequency Response 5 Hz – 60 kHz, -3 dB @ 8 ohms
Peak Output Current 35 amps
Dynamic Range 117 dBa
Load Impedance Range 3 ohms – 16 ohms
Input Impedance 48 k ohms
THD & Noise, 0.1 watts to Max Output < 0.05%, Typically .006% @ 1kHzv
Damping Factor @ 1 kHz > 1000
Gain Structure Preamplifier Section 14 dB, Amplifier Section 26 dB
Volume Control Range 99.5 dB
Volume Control Resolution 0.5 dB +/- 0.05 dB Over Entire Range
Common Mode Rejection Ratio > 85 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Inputs 2 pair Balanced (XLR), 2 pair Unbalanced (RCA) / 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA), Unity Gain (Bypass)
Outputs 1 pair Balanced (XLR), 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA) / 1 pair CE-Approved Speaker Wire Clamp
Power Consumption Idle – 25 watts, Max – 1000 watts
Power Supply Switch Mode (SMPS)
Amplifier Weight 41 lbs / 18.6 kg
Amplifier Dimensions (H) x (W) x (D) 5.3″ x 15.5” x 15.0” (135mm x 394mm x 380mm)