JRDG Company Special – Consummate
1990-1993
Retail price unknown
The Consummate is fully basically a balanced version of the Consonance with a more elaborate, multi-stage regulated power supply. I’ve not heard the Consummate myself but Nico Fox, the distributor for the Netherlands at the time, told me that you could say that soundwise the Consonance was warmer and the Consummate more accurate. A reader of this site informed me later in 2015: “I bought my Consummate 2nd hand some 15 years ago. At that moment he had both the Consummate and the Consonance and I had taken both home to listen to extensively. Because the Consonance was much cheaper, I basically preferred it, but after I had listened to the Consonance for a day (nice) I connected the Consummate and was sold immediately. I did not expect it to be such an improvement in the sound with respect to the Consonance. Much quieter, blacker background, more depth, etc. The Consonance went back quickly and the Consummate remained and has remained my favorite preamp for all that time.”
There was also a separate Consummate Phonostage that was highly regarded.
Above and below: Consummate with tall display cutout (the display itself is identical to the model further below with the more narrow display cutout)
Above: Consummate with narrow display cutout (the display itself is identical to the model further above with the taller display cutout)
The Consummate is one of the few Jeff Rowland components that I think look even sexier in black.
Above: special version with tall front panel with 19 inch mounting holes
Above: tall version backside (extra feet height). The red and grey cover-caps are not standard and added by the owner. Below: regular version backside.
Above: the remote control receiver box and remote control unit are the same as for the Consonance.
Above: pre amp section inside
Above: the two line level stage modules. There were modules with microswitches and also apparently models with jumpers as in the above pictures rather than microswitches. According to the online seller this indicates that these are later models.
Above: multi-regulated power supply section inside. Notice the green circuit board traces?
Inside another Consummate power supply, this time with brown circuit board traces.
Consummate Features
Six line inputs, three of which are balanced (both RCA and XLR connectors are provided)
Balanced outputs, in both RCA and XLR connector configurations
Differential Mode(tm) technology maintained throughout all circuitry, from input to output
Separate regulated power supply with dual toroidal transformers
Microprocessor-controlled volume and switching
A digitally-controlled resistor matrix volume control provides 200 precise individual steps
User-stored level settings for all six inputs allow immediate recall of a “normal” level for each source
Dual-rate attenuator adjustment controls provide efficient volume control adjustments
Fluorescent front panel display indicates operational status of the preamplifier under all ambient lighting conditions
User controlled display shut-off
infrared remote control of all preamplifier operational functions
Separate remote receiver permits remote operation of preamplifier from a distant location
Image shift control (instead of channel balance trim) maintains overall volume level while shifting stereo image left or right • Mono and left or right channel cut functions
Main outputs are muted temporarily during initial A/C power up, power drop or power interruption
All signal amplification utilizes high-current, Class A solid state technology
All inputs and outputs are direct-coupled, thus eliminating the effects of capacitors in the signal path. • Independent power supply regulators are located at each stage of each amplifier channel
Mil-spec circuit board material, with oxygen-free copper traces and high- temperature mask, provides superior electrical characteristics and long term protection against adverse climatic conditions
All signal switching is accomplished with hermetically sealed, gold-clad silver contact signal relays • All critical circuitry is encapsulated in a thermally-conductive epoxy to ensure excellent thermal stability, mechanical integrity and ease of service
Ability to drive any length of interconnect cable into a balanced 600 ohm load
Adjustable input and output impedance minimizes source, load and cable interactions in any application
Consummate Specifications
Overall Gain
Selectable 6 dB, 12 dB, 18 dB or 20 dB
IHF Input Sensitivity For 500 mV Output
Selectable 250mV, 125mV, 63mV or 50mV
Main Outputs (per channel)
1 RCA Inverting,
1 RCA Non-inverting,
1 XLR balanced
Input Impedance
Selectable:
Unbalanced
300, 10 k or 100 k ohms
Balanced
600, 20 k or 200 k ohms
Frequency Response:
0.05 Hz to 200 kHz, -3 dB
IHF Signal to Noise (S/N) Ratio, A Wtd., Ref. 500 MV
88 dB
THD Distortion, Ref. 2.5 V RMS
<0.012%
Max Output Level
8VRMS
Output Impedance
Selectable:
Unbalanced
150 ohms or 300 ohms
Balanced
300 ohms or 600 ohms
Dimensions (including power supply)
15.0 in. W x 13.75 in. D x 5.50 in H (38cm W x35cm D x6.7cm H)
Weight (including power supply)
28 lbs., 12.8 kg
More Jeff Rowland
Jeff Rowland Company Special Main Page
Jeff Rowland Company Special Preamplifiers
Consummate Phonostage
Hallo Christiaan,ik heb onlangs een consummate lll gekocht en zie dat bij jouw versterker geen draadje gesoldeerd zit van af pootje 2 naar 5 (vd 8)heb je die ook wel eens gezien?en weet je op hoeveel db hij staat bij jou op de foto?
Groet Rik
Hi Rik, I have owned the Consonance, not the Consummate, alas. Thus, I can’t tell you any more than what can be read in the article. Looking at the picture, I assume that there are two jumpers per phase, so one for positive and one for negative. If that is the case then the image shows the left jumper pair in the low position and the right jumper pair in the upper position which according to the Gain Adjustment Diagram should indicate 18dB of gain. But if you want to be sure, best ask Jeff himself. Also with respect to the soldered wire to which you refer.
Ja doe ik Christaan bedankt ,waar vind ik dat adjustment diagram?het staat niet in het manual gr Rik
It’s in the article above!
Ja maar dat zijn toch dipswitches?
Oh ik snap t al dank je
Hi Christiaan,the wire between the pins are original according to Jeff.
Thanks for confirming, Rik! And thanks for sharing the “new style module” gain settings documentation!
Graag gedaan Christiaan groet Rik
Hi Christiaan, a few months after we last spoke (about 5 years ago), I had to take my Consummate out of the system. I had DC on the outputs of both channels.
I contacted Rowland but replies took ages and repeated prompting. After supplying some psu measurements the most likely diagnosis was that the gain modules were the culprits. Sadly, spares were no longer available.
About 3 years ago, Jeff was able to source some original gain modules, which I gladly bought. Alas, it did not fix the problem. I still had intermittent DC on the outputs. The Consummate went back into storage until I could find someone to look at it.
I do a bit of diy and, although I am at the amateur level, a gut feeling was that perhaps the electrolytic caps in the power supply were failing. Given the age of the preamp (1992/3) not an unreasonable assumption. The output of the psu box was within spec unloaded, but who knows what it did when loaded.
Anyway, I tried to find a good high-end repairer but could not really find anyone in my area. In the end I took the cover of the psu enclosure, took many photos and identified the types of all the electrolytic capacitors, details I would need for replacement. Everything looked fine by the way, no bulging or leaking caps to be seen anywhere.
The inside of the preamp enclosure also looked fine, until I transferred the photos to my pc and zoomed in on one of the photos (attached). It shows what I could only assume to be a leaking 330uF/25V capacitor (I assume it is a local buffer cap for one of the amp rails).
To cut a long story short, I decided to replace all the electrolytic caps and hope that will fix my problem. I contacted Lucien at Jeff Rowland asking for an original parts list and/or service manual but never got a reply.
Using the photos I had taken of the inside of both enclosures, I was able to identify all the original caps and source replacements. Because I wanted a simple cap replacement and don’t have the experience to do so myself, I contacted a local repairer (who does not do high end but has been repairing electronics for >40 years). He knows how important the Consummate is to me and that I don’t really care about how many repair hours it takes. He promised to take his time and not cut any corners so I dropped off the preamp and replacement caps.
Yesterday I got a phone call. The power supply recap had been straightforward and was completed. He then started on the preamp. After he removed the pcb from the case, desoldered the old caps and cleaned the board he sadly found the leaking electrolyte has damaged the pcb. Some of the tracks are completely eaten away. He phoned to ask for approval to spend a few extra hours to try to restore the board.
The main culprits are the 85 degree rated caps that are positioned very close to the 7805 heatsinks. My new replacements are 105 degree spec and if my repairer can restore the board I hope to have my beloved Consummate in my main system again soon.
The reason I have given such a detailed description is that I hope your website will make other Consummate owners aware of this problem. I found out too late, when the damage was already done. I would urge other owners of Consummate preamps to replace the caps sooner than later, especially the 85 degree rated 330uF 25V caps near the 7805 heatsinks. Given the age, I would recommend a full recap. There are good new caps that have much better specs (very low impedance, e.g. United Chemicon KYB series) when compared to the original ones, which is great for decoupling.
Sadly, my experience with support from Rowland has not been great. Emails go unanswered and only after repeated reminders I sometimes get a reply. Quite different from my experience with Pass Labs where the support is great!
I hope I can let you know in a few weeks that my Consummate is singing again!
Groeten,
Albert
Hi Albert, Thanks for sharing, some good info here!
JRDG is not a typical company. It is more of a project that comes to live during product development and production. In-between projects, the company consists basically just of Jeff all by himself with assistance from 2-3 people. I heard that Lucien Pichet is now retired, which explains why mails can go unanswered.
Hi Albert, I own the Consummate lll and I have changed all the caps yesterday! The display went out and if your bad 330uf cap was on the right 7805 that is the regulator for the display. I had a voltage drop of 3v lower than original in the powersupply itself so I recapped them all 10x 100uf 50v FM panasonic and LBA series 12x 6800uf 35v and 4x 10000uf 35v I am now playing in. You can mail me if you want, Albert. Kind regards, Rik
Hi Rik, thanks for your contribution. Email addresses are not shown publicly but if you like, I can forward your emailadress to Albert so that he can contact you directly.
LBA SERIES from IC ilinois capasitor
Hi Christiaan, yes of course he may it helps me too.
Ok, your email address has now been forwarded:-)
Thank you Christiaan
Thanks for the info and good to hear Rik that your pcb was still in good condition! I just got your email address from Christiaan and will send an email describing the caps I am using as replacements.
I appreciate that the company is only small, but especially for a small company it would make sense to publish the service manuals. It would make life for owners of these rare beasts much easier, There is no risk of unlicensed copying, because the gain stages (the secret ingredient where the magic occurs) are potted with epoxy resin, so the service manual would not include schematics of those anyway.
Okay thanx Albert
For other people with the C3 i will give my comments after burning in the caps here how it sounds.
The FM panasonic are great i can tell you but the LBA series are not burned in yet.The original caps are LKR series and the LBA is the equivalent)so i will let you know how it goes.
Hi Christiaan and others,hereby an update according to the new LBA series Cornell dubilier electrolytic caps i have used in my C3.
The sound is terrible the hi’s are harsh the sound is restricted and not open.
I have let it on for 200hours constant.
I now ordered 12pcs. Mundorf 6800uf 63v,hope to have them next week and then after about 200hours i will come back and hope to have good news.
Hi Christiaan and others,hereby the results of recapping the C3 with Mundorf Mlytic 6800uf 63v and Panasonic FM series 100uf 50v. The results are great,i can recommand it for every one with this pre amp.The sound is very clear and open and also fast and detailled,but with natural warmth.(140hours)The burn in time is more than 120hours.
Warning:Be carefull with the snap in’s when pulling out, the metallized holes are very weak and you will pull them out easilly.
Rik
Nice! Good to hear you have it sorted. Interesting how much sonic difference there can be among different brand caps of the same values, isn’t it?!
Yes Christiaan there is a lot difference and do not ask me why ,maybe ESR or ESL or impedance .
If you ask a regular technician they would say that it is impossible that you can hear that.
But a technician speciallized in high end audio would certainly agree.
Rik
Yeah, it should not be possible, yet it is. I know this from personal experience too, from loudspeaker crossovers to analog power supplies and even digital audio components.
My technician was able to repair the damage caused by the leaking capacitors, although it meant he had to reconstruct one or two pcb tracks that had been eaten away by the leaking electrolye. Thanks again Rik for the photos of your Consummate pcb that showed the original tracks. Much appreciated!
I picked my Consummate this afternoon and it is singing again!
For those that are considering a recap, I used 16x CDE 10000uF/35V SLPX snapins and 6 x United Chemicon 270uF/80V KYB in the power supply enclosure. In the preamp enclosure I used 4 x 180uF/100V KYB near the gain stages, 4 x 680uF/25V KYB near the 7805s and 2 small 1uF/100V KYA.
Hi Christiaan and others,hereby an update regarding the hours of burning in the Mundorfs.After 220hours the sound is a lot better ,so i thought i let you guys know!So if there are people who want to do this job do not judge severly and be patient!