{"id":8244,"date":"2016-10-20T18:17:14","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T16:17:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/?p=8244"},"modified":"2021-04-19T21:02:56","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T19:02:56","slug":"jeff-rowland-corus-preamplifier-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifi-advice.com\/blog\/amplifier-reviews\/preamplifier-reviews\/jeff-rowland-corus-preamplifier-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Jeff Rowland Corus preamplifier – part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

After changing my setup, with different speakers, and on the other side of the room, the Corus deserved a second audition<\/b><\/h2>\n

Review sample kindly supplied by Alex Loth of\u00a0A10Audio<\/a><\/p>\n

Retail price in 2016: 19.750\u00a0euro<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Please note that this is part 2 of the initial Corus review. In 2013 my system was quite different than it is now and in that context the Corus did not fully show its potential. The outcome this time around is entirely different!<\/p>\n

\"rowland-corus02-l_550pix\"<\/p>\n

Some time after the initial 2013 review I changed speakers from Magnepan MG3.6R’s to Apogee Divas and set up the system at the other end of the room and along with some other tweaks this made for a real transformation in sound. In the old listening position, I always needed to use subwoofers, both because the Maggies are just a little lean in the bass, but also, as would turn out later, because the room had some serious bass cancellation going on. Instead of “friendly” room modes that add extra bass, my room modes were such that they contributed to a large dip in the midbass. This made for an overly lean sound that I just could not get rid of. Once this was sorted I figured that the Corus deserved a second appraisal.<\/p>\n

\"rowland_corus_550pix-img_9138\"<\/p>\n

I figured so because the initial review had already shown that the Corus is technically clearly superior and the only thing holding me back in falling in love with it was the lack of harmonic fulness at that time, which, combined with the clean sounding Magnepans made for a sound that was a bit too cool. Now that my sound had excellent bass power and extension, and was gloriously rich through the midbass and up, I had a feeling that the Corus might feel right at home in my new setup.<\/p>\n

\"JRDG-Corus_550pix<\/p>\n

Alex Loth of A10 Audio in Amsterdam was kind enough to loan me a Corus to me for two weeks. Sure enough, as soon as I connected it I recognized its extremely refined sound. It has higher resolution, more fluid treble and much better articulation than any of the preceding Jeff Rowland preamps. No doubt, the Corus sounds markedly different from the classic Jeff Rowland sound, but it is definitely highly elegant in its presentation.<\/p>\n

\"rowland-corus-img_9164_550pix\"<\/p>\n

Although the Corus does have a more modern sound, I must admit to quite liking it. Now that my system has an inherently much more sonorous sound, the Corus makes perfect sense. Not only is the detail retrieval raised to unprecedented levels, the increase in imaging, focus and bass articulation is also remarkable. It incredibly wide-band and even-handed from top to bottom and sounds positively crispy without ever sounding edgy.<\/p>\n

\"JRDG-Corus_550pix<\/p>\n

Its excellent control in the bass makes for better toe-tapping PRAT and although the bass can appear to be thinner than that of the Coherence II, it is every bit as deep, if not deeper. Basslines are now so easy to follow and make for a more lifelike presentation. Actually, that is the thing: while the Coherence II and Synergy IIi may sound creamier, the Corus sounds much more like real music. The beauty is that it does this while retaining the Rowland hallmark 100% grain-free sound.<\/p>\n

It has been said that the Capri S2 is something of a Corus-lite but having heard the Capri S2 myself not too long ago, I would caution against statements like these because it just doesn’t do the Corus justice. The Corus really is in a league of its own, as it should be, given the price difference.<\/p>\n

\"rowland_corus_550pix-img_9160\"<\/p>\n

A comparison was also made with the Concerto preamp (top right in the picture above). This is an excellent preamp in its own right, and the best I heard at its price. The Concerto manages to have tighter, more solid bass and more pronounced transient behavior than both the Synergy IIi and Coherence II, if not quite their smoothness, sense of flow and enveloping soundstage. You could say that the Concerto’s sound is placed between the classic Rowland sound and the modern Corus sound. But as good as it is, the Concerto is effortlessly bettered by the Corus in the areas of refinement, focus and articulation. Most noticeable is how incredibly finely resolved the Corus is. Just like a Retina display, the inherent resolution might not be evident immediately when assessed on its own, but a comparison with other preamps makes this abundantly clear.<\/p>\n

\"rowland_corus_550pix-img_9143\"<\/p>\n

The Corus really is the most neutral preamp that I have heard. It does not add nor subtract anything and sounds direct-coupled in a way. It does not have the downsides however that for example, a Wadia DAC has when connected directly to the power amps. The Corus provides all the treble air and finesse and all the subtle soundstage layering that is expected from a Rowland preamp, but without adding any character of its own, and that is truly remarkable.<\/p>\n

Its refusal to add any sound or character of its own does mean that it also does not add any bloom or harmonics to the midbass, where it traditionally is added by most preamps, classic Rowlands included and at times I can long for a little extra ripeness, especially with thin-sounding recordings. But that’s inherent when using a preamp as superbly neutral as the Corus. It cannot make a bad recording shine. Don’t assume however that the Corus cannot sound romantic, believe me it really can! Fourplay for example has never sounded sweeter and more sonorous and at the same time so utterly life-like and believable. It is just more honest than any Rowland amp that preceded it. And once you appreciate its honesty, there is no going back.<\/p>\n

One last thing: the dynamics. In the initial review I noted a certain restraint and found the other Rowland preamps that I had at hand to sound more dynamic. By this I meant that the others had more a sense of dynamic swing, the ability to go from low level to high level with souplesse. In this respect the Corus sounded restrained at that time, but let me assure you: not this time! This could have been another system dependency, but I think it is more likely that the Corus needed more running in at the time. This time around however the Corus clearly has better dynamic behavior than any of the other preamps that I have at hand. It is lightning fast in its ability to portray dynamic differentiation and can play softly as well as loudly with ease.<\/p>\n

It has taken me a while, but I now find that the Corus manages to move me in ways that other preamps just cannot, my own preamp included. And so, I feel that I owe the Corus an apology…\u00a0it is most definitely an incredibly good preamplifier.<\/p>\n

\"File_924,<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The Corus is a milestone achievement. It is superbly neutral but entirely natural and never sterile. It is incredibly articulate but also has the most fluid and airy treble that I have heard in any Rowland preamp so far and its imaging and low-level resolution are simply staggering. Technicalities aside, it is quite simply so very positively engaging that I am seriously having trouble returning to my own preamp.<\/p>\n

Part 1<\/a> – Part 2<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Associated Equipment<\/a><\/p>\n

Note:
\n<\/strong>The Super Capacitor based PSU unit is now available and it can power the Corus, and the Aeris along with it. This means that the Corus’ switching power supply is completely bypassed and replaced with super-capacitor power. This promises to make a large difference and I definitely intend to conduct a follow-up review when I can lay hands on a Corus + PSU.<\/h4>\n

External Links<\/h3>\n

MANUFACTURER:
\nwww.jeffrowlandgroup.com<\/a><\/p>\n

A10 AUDIO – DEALER in NL:
\nBurgemeester Ro\u00ebllstraat 10
\n1064 BM Amsterdam
\nNederland
\nTelephone: +31207587290
\nWebsite : www.a10audio.nl<\/a><\/p>\n

DISTRIBUTOR BENELUX:
\nHVP Audio
\nPrinses Irenelaan 218
\n2285GB Rijswijk
\nNederland
\nTelephone: +31 61 492 69 47
\nWebsite : www.hvpaudio.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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