Jeff Rowland Concentra 2
Rocky Mountain high-end
By Michael Wong
December 2003
Jeff Rowland Concentra 2 integrated amplifier. $16,000
Is it the wonderful vistas of the Rocky Mountains or something in the Colorado air that has several major High End manufacturers basing themselves in that scenic state ?
Avalon Acoustics (speakers), Ayre Acoustics (digital sources and amplifiers), Boulder Amplifiers and the Jeff Rowland Design Group all call Colorado home. All are known for cost-no-object designs of breathtaking beauty and exceptional sound quality.
The Jeff Rowland Design Group is a small company that has been around since the mid 80's, crafting amplifiers that not only sound good but are also aesthetically engaging and built to exacting standards. They produce a range of solid state preamplifiers, power amplifiers and the Concentra II integrated amplifier.
The Concentra produces 150wpc into 8 ohms and 250wpc into 4 ohms and is fully balanced from input to output.
If Faberge ever made audio equipment...
It would probably be built like a Rowland. This amp boasts a truly luxurious level of build and finish. The silver faceplate is a gorgeous diamond milled piece of aluminium 20mm thick.
Aluminium is also used for the substantial chassis and top and bottom plates and the solid side panels. The top and sides feature special raised sections and cutouts to combat unwanted resonance. The entire case functions as an airtight 26kg heatsink.
Six line inputs (three balanced and three unbalanced), one tape loop, balanced and unbalanced preamp outputs are provided for, with the option of replacing one unbalanced input with a phono stage. In typical Rowland fashion, all the inputs are transformer coupled for low noise and to reduce the sonic and electrical differences between balanced and unbalanced inputs.
Inputs are selected via petite front panel buttons or by the slim metal remote offering source selection, volume control, muting and balance control. This brings me to the Concentra's only ergonomic flaws; there is no direct input access, you have to cycle through the inputs and there is no visual indicator when the balance control is used. Manual amplifier reset is facilitated on the unit only, reset via remote would be nice.
The volume control knob is attached to what must be the silkiest action on the planet. Level is displayed in decibels in large, easy to read blue digits.
The rear features nicely made RCA and XLR connectors for the inputs and outputs plus a deatchable IEC power cord. There is no power switch as the unit was designed to be continuosly powered. Rack handles are fitted to help when moving the amp.
Brains before brawn
The Concentra was used with a variety of equipment including my regular Well Tempered, Plinius, Marantz, Krell, Magnepans and a few guest stars: the Jadis DA-60, ProAc Response 3.8 and a modified Micromega Stage CDP.
If you were expecting a typical American muscle amp sound you will be disappointed.
Where the Krell presents music in bold, colourful brushstrokes, the Concentra is more subtle. It's portrayal of music is less vivid and with a more finely bristled brush. Subtlety and sweetness are it's forte. But don't mistake this for wimpiness. While the Concentra doesn't have quite the low end dynamic envelope, nor the sheer physical presence of the Krell but it's not far off and can kick butt when asked.
The Concentra proved to be a little powerhouse, having no trouble in driving the Magnepans, ProAcs and a small pair of AR M1's (!) to lease-breaking levels.
While the amp didn't quite pull off the trick of reproducing the sheer energetic drive and roughness of The Clash's debut album it did a good enough job to get the toes tapping.
Where this amp excelled was in the reproduction of human voice and all the subtle nuances in music.
Every ounce of pain could be felt pain in Johnny Cash's heartfelt rendition of Hurt from his American IV LP. This amp was perfect for the duelling pianos of Katia and Marielle Labeque, their reading of Joplin's ragtime tunes displayed a whimsical nature not often heard in their usually disciplined playing. Di Meola, McLaughlin and De Paca were in the listening room when Friday Night in San Francisco hit the platter.
For me the Concentra struck a good balance between the gutsy performance of the Krell and the more considered transparency and musicality of the Jadis, proving to be extremely capable with a variety of music and relaxing to listen to, the perfect amalgam of the best attributes of solid state and tube amplification.
Of pheasants and hi-fi...
Hemingway once said pheasant shooting was worth whatever he had to pay for it.
So it is with the Concentra. In this part of the market buyers often want more than just great performance. With it's combination of superb sound, pleasing aesthetics and sterling build quality, the Concentra is not only a contender for the best sounding integrated amplifier but is also a desirable example of modern art. This is a piece that will outlive most owners.
Recommended. As always, a home audition is warranted, especially at this level of performance.
For your nearest Jeff Rowland dealer
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