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Re: Rowland 201 vs 501 for MBL-121

Posted by DevillEars (A) on April 29, 2007 at 01:47:05

In Reply to: ICEpower modules and Rowland 201/501 posted by chris on April 29, 2007 at 00:12:27:

With your MBL 121 speakers combining low efficiency and low-ish impedance, they will demand both watts and amps to perform at their best.

In the context of your speakers, the differences between the ICEpower 1000ASP modules (as used in Rowland's Model 501's) over 500ASP units (as used in Rowland's Model 201's) lie in two areas:

a) Power (watts into 4 ohms): 1,000 vs 500
b) Current (amps-continuous): 45 vs 35

The real overall difference between the two lies in the area of dynamic headroom.

Given a reasonably tricky speaker load/efficiency combination, the additional headroom offered by the 1000ASP units will result in a presentation that is "more effortless" as these units would, in comparison to the 500ASP's, be operating well within their performance envelope. This would be more obvious on recording with a wide dynamic range such as the Grieg Piano Concerto and other similar pieces.

As to whether or not this would result in a "warmer" presentation is debatable.

There are two reviews of the Model 201's here in AA's Product Reviews section - one of which offers some insight into the relative merits of the 201 vs the 501 (by "fiji"). Here are the links:

Model 201 Review by fiji

Model 201 Review by Scientist

I have had the Model 201's for 3 years, but driving fairly sensitive speakers (~93dB/w) and find them more than adequate. I did manage to borrow a pair of 501's a couple of years ago for an A:B test and found the difference to be discernible, but not enough to justify the price difference. (In your case, the lowish efficiency will result in a more noticeable gap - particularly on classical music).

If you are interested in the underpinning technology used by B&O in their ICEpower modules, they do have have a website with a fair amount of detail on the background, technology, design, specifications and reviews for products that utilise the technology. The link below will take you to their website:

B&O ICEpower - Audio Amplification Solutions webpage

The Jeff Rowland website has separate webpages for each:

Jeff Rowland Model 201 webpage

Jeff Rowland Model 501 webpage

For some unknown reason, $tereophile has not reviewed any of the Rowland ICEpower-based products and Rowland are not well-represented in the UK, so no reviews from that quarter either.

Another occasional visitor to these electronic halls (Mike Mount) has the 501's and his glowing reports were the trigger that made me switch from Classe' to the 201's - a move I've not regretted for one second.

Good luck!!

DevillEars

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