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Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3?

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Posted on February 7, 2017 at 11:36:06
scottcw
Audiophile

Posts: 36
Joined: August 29, 2016
 I have decided to move to a MM/MC pre in place of the MM input of my Rogue Cronus Magnum II.

I am considering either a Jeff Rowland Consonance for $1200 or a demo Icon Audio PS3 MKI for around $1750.

Does anyone have experience with both? If so, please share your thoughts on sound quality, strengths / weaknesses of each, etc.

My turntable is a Clearaudio Ovation with Satisfy arm and Maestro V2 Ebony MM cartridge.

Thanks in advance.

 

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RE: Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3?, posted on February 7, 2017 at 14:33:38
ahendler
Audiophile

Posts: 5151
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Joined: January 24, 2003
 Isn't the Rowland a full preamp with phono stage and the Icon is a phono pre only? Also the icon is all tubes and the Rowland solid state. I love tubes so I would go with the Icon but I have not heard a Rowland in a long time
Alan

 

RE: Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3?, posted on February 7, 2017 at 14:46:32
scottcw
Audiophile

Posts: 36
Joined: August 29, 2016
 You are correct. The Rowland phono stage has good reviews. I agree on tubes. However, my Cronus Magnum is tube, so going tube pre > tube input and power of the integrated might be too much.

I also like the direct coupled design of the Rowland.

 

RE: Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3?, posted on February 7, 2017 at 15:37:03
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I would recommend a step-up transformer. I have a Vacuum Tube Audio phono stage with a Bob's Devices 1131 SUT and this combination sounds excellent to me. Bob's step-up transformers are really awesome sounding. He has different models with turns-ratios for just about any moving coil you can buy. If you like your MM phono stage, you can keep it and just add a step-up transformer.

 

RE: Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3?, posted on February 7, 2017 at 15:49:27
scottcw
Audiophile

Posts: 36
Joined: August 29, 2016
 Thanks, but I am after other features not found in a SUT. Mainly the mono switch to sum channels when listening to mono records with a stereo cartridge.

 

RE: Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3., posted on February 8, 2017 at 08:19:03
dirtyvinyl
 "Mainly the mono switch to sum channels when listening to mono records with a stereo cartridge."

I'm curious what sonic benefit does this switch provides?
Taking my mono records to shows and playing them on hyper rigs with mono setups sounds exactly the same as on my modest table w/stereo cart

 

RE: Phono Pre: Rowland Consonance or Icon Audio PS3., posted on February 8, 2017 at 09:27:03
scottcw
Audiophile

Posts: 36
Joined: August 29, 2016
 My understanding is that the mono switch reduces noise when using a stereo cartridge.

 

Hmmm..., posted on February 8, 2017 at 10:50:06
dirtyvinyl
 From a hobbyist/ techie viewpoint, I get it.

But with the level of gear presented here, I'm wondering if you need to squint your eyes and lean forward to hear an audible improvement?

That Icon unit is nice, but I would negotiate a lower price,since it's several iterations old.

Someone with technical knowledge will chime in.

 

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