Jeff Rowland Design Group Consummate is a high-end, dual-chassis Class A preamplifier known for its “soft and sweet” sound and exceptional build quality. By physically separating the power supply into its own chassis, it minimizes electronic interaction with the sensitive audio circuits, resulting in a remarkably quiet, “black” background.
Sound Performance
Reviewers characterize the Consummate as having a relaxed, “rounded” presentation that avoids being overly analytical.
Signature Tonality: According to experts from Stereophile, the unit sounds “soft and sweet” and “laid-back without sounding recessed,” a contrast to more “gutsy” or aggressive competitors.
Noise Floor: One owner noted that switching from the lower-tier Consonance to the Consummate provided a “much quieter, blacker background” with significantly more depth.
Clarity and Ease: Stereophile reports a “see-through” quality with a greater sense of overall ease and a tighter low end compared to its predecessor.
Dynamic Comparison: While highly praised, it has been described as less detailed and dynamic than competitors like the Krell KRC, which some reviewers felt “lifted another veil” from the sound.
Technical Specifications the Consummate features the following specs:
Frequency Response: 0.05Hz – 200kHz, -3dB.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 88 dB (A-weighted).
Selectable Gain: Users can choose between 6dB, 12dB, 18dB, or 20dB.
Input Impedance: Selectable values include 300, 10k, or 100k ohms (unbalanced) and 600, 20k, or 200k ohms (balanced).
Weight: Total combined weight with the power supply is 28 lbs (approx. 12.8 kg).
Key Features
Dual-Chassis Design: The separate power supply chassis is identical in size to the main unit, allowing for side-by-side or stacked mounting.
Differential Mode Circuitry: The internal circuitry is fully balanced from input to output, expanding Rowland’s commitment to balanced configurations.
Memory and Switching: It includes a unique memory mode that saves different level settings for each input, allowing for instantaneous level-matched switching.