[ekovalsky]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=gallery;area=browse;album=164

Since the speakers are not here yet, I stripped down the JRDG 302/4 to get some pics and see what makes it tick.  Inside there are four separate B&O PowerHouse ICE500A mk2 modules, one for each channel, a gigantic Piltron toroidal transformer in a faraday cage, two OPS switching power supplies, and two Lundahl input transformers.  Plus a lot of thick, shiny aluminum and some space to stash some valuables  

The speaker connectors are great, a single large knob tightens both spades.  Never seen these before.

It has a 20amp IEC connector which seems much more robust than the 15amp connectors on everything else.  But none of my decent power cords fit, so I'm using the JRDG supplied cord for now.

Stay tuned next week for Part II -- "The Elusive RM/X Fully Exposed"    

[byteme]

The speaker connectors are great, a single large knob tightens both spades. Never seen these before.

Those are Cardas copper binding posts.  Sweet huh!  I think there are other metals available now.  I used these when I upgraded my Polks and I really like them.  I can't beleive noone has thought of this before - it really makes things easier.  The only issue is you're limited to spades or bare wire (which I wouldn't do!!) but the connection is a lot easier to do with that single knob.  This is the first time I've seen them on an amp.  They are standard equipment on Zu and Merlin speakers, more I'm sure but those are the two I'm aware of.

[Ric Schultz]

Very cool looking amp.  Thanks for the pics.  Nice to know which Lundahl trannies they are using incase I want to experiment with some on my Ice Power amps.  Those binding posts are very nice but nowhere near as transparent as a direct connection (I will be running one piece of wire from the output coil on the module directly outside the amp where it will go through the hole in the binding post and curl around it).  This way you are literally clamping your speaker wire to the wire that is attached to the module.  Binding posts with no binding post sound.  One can use fairly inexpensive binding posts since the signal is not going through them as long as it has a large hole on the outside to put the wire/wires in.  I have been preaching this for years but no one has made am amp without binding post sound.  I guess mine is going to be the first.  I have no doubt that all the different things Roland does do make a difference (big isolation transformer, exotic switching regulation, input trannies).  You will love the sound, I am sure.  Given your elegant tastes (your house and system look great!....to formal for me though) you would not like my simple looking amps.   Though, if my amp turns out to be sonically way out there, then I might do a more fancy version for you rich kids.  he he.
Merry Christmas and blessing for everyone.

[ekovalsky]

Ric, I was thinking of you when I posted these pics.  Thought you might like to see what JRDG was doing with the ICEpower.

If you ever decide to make a fancy version (or a simple headphone amp!) I'd be thrilled.

[lkosova]

ekovalsky,

you better get those RM/X speakers soon or you will start to take apart the refrigerator to see what makes it tick!!!!!

Nice pictures and good looking family!!!

Happy Holidays.

Larry

[Guan]

Thanks for the pics of the 302.

I use an older Rowland Model 8T and it's interesting to compare just how much less of everything there is in the newer, more efficient 302! The stereo 8T has 640,000uF of capacitance and 2 x 2.3kV Jensen transformers.




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[ekovalsky]

Thanks for the pics of the 8T!  I think it is safe to say that everything Jeff builds is a true work of art.

There certainly is less in the 302, though that isn't reflected in the price  

[jgubman]

Well, it's Monday...

too busy listening/setting up your new beasts?

[ekovalsky]

Speakers delivered.  Un-boxed and setup by me, myself & I !  Glad I've been working out a lot lately...

Kudos to VMPS for an amazing packaging job. Unlike the RM-40's, these arrived fully double boxed with superb protection of the precious contents.

The cabinets are stunningly gorgeous, even better than I had expected.  In fact, they are the nicest speaker cabinets I've ever seen.  Dorne is the epitome of sloth but he does do very nice work.  There is not a blemish on the piano black and the swopes are just amazing -- you cannot appreciate the beauty and mass of these speakers from a photograph.  Brian, Jim, and Dorne have created a true audio sculpture, the music is a nice bonus!  

I should have the system hooked up and playing shortly.  Pictures and initial listening impressions to follow.

[jgubman]

Congrats, I'm sure all your waiting will have been worth it. Glad you're at the fun stage of the buying new speakers cycle.

[zybar]

Eric,

Glad to hear that they arrived safe and sound

You really must be working out to unpack those bad boys by yourself!

Now on to the music...

GW

[John Casler]

Now I can Brrrrrreath again!!!

The last hurdle was the freight company.

[ekovalsky]

  Yes, worth the wait!  

I'm posting pics and first listening impressions in another

[Horsehead]

Eric gets my vote for "VMPS Customer of the Year 2003"  

[zybar]

Or at least the most patient VMPS customer!

 

GW

[jgubman]

Or both!

Especially after he gets a 3rd RM/X and a TrinP  

[ekovalsky]

Well, my wife wants a big plasma TV mounted in the wall between the speakers, which would exclude a third RM/X.  I've wondered if the RM/X would be tricky to set up with trinaural, since unlike the smaller ribbon monitors they are built as a mirror image pair.  The woofer of the center would have to fire to the left or the right which may cause some weird room loading.  Julian, have anything to say about this?

I do expect two or three RM30 or smaller ribbon monitors (if they get the cool chinese cabinets) joining the RM/X for home theater duties later this year...  

I knew the RM/X would take a long time, though not quite as long as they actually took.  But the best things come to those who wait.  They wouldn't be as special if they showed up in their original time frame which was 2-3 weeks after ordering back in July

The RM/X is definitely a great upgrade to the RM-40 if you got the cash and the itch to "shake the tree".  To those who choose the upgrade path I would strongly suggest holding onto current speakers until you confirm that Big B has the RM/X cabinets and the ancillary parts (bases, tweeter pods, etc) in his possession.  Don't sell as soon as you hear "in Dorne's shop with three of ten coats of paint applied" because Dorne may disappear or do nothing for weeks or months.  But once Big B gets the cabinets the speakers will be on their way fast!