Jeff Rowland Daemon Super Integrated Amplifier

INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER  ·  1500W/CH  ·  JEFF ROWLAND  ·  REVIEW

Jeff Rowland Design Group launched the 1500 WPC Daemon Super Integrated Amplifier at Munich High End 2015. Named after the ancient Greek word for “creative genius”, the Daemon represents a technological leap forward — Jeff Rowland’s fifth generation of integrated amplifiers, and arguably the most ambitious integrated ever built.

“Designing the integrated amplifier is one of the most challenging tasks in audio. To achieve perfect synergy of all components while entirely eliminating cross component interference is a black art. When done well, the results can be spectacular.”

— Jeff Rowland, Founder and President

The Build

The 1500 WPC dual mono integrated amplifier is machined from solid bars of 6061-T6 aluminium by Vertec Tool in Colorado Springs — the same craftsmen who have been sculpting Rowland products for over 25 years. Their expertise is most felt in the Daemon’s precision-weighted volume bezel, mounted between two industrial grade bearings, which provides exquisitely tactile access to a 99.5dB range in 0.5dB increments.

Circuitry and Connectivity

Jeff Rowland partnered with Thomas Holm — designer of the Aeris DAC and Continuum S2 digital circuitry — to develop both the analog and digital sections. Digital and analog power supplies are completely separated with individual local regulation at point of load. 6-layer Rogers ceramic circuit boards are used throughout.

Digital inputs include SPDIF BNC/RCA, TOSLINK, AES/EBU, and USB for all sample rates from 44.1kHz to 192kHz, with DSD via USB. Analog inputs include 3 RCA unbalanced and 2 XLR balanced, all transformer coupled with custom Lundahl transformers. Direct Power Amplifier inputs bypass preamplification entirely, converting the Daemon into a pure 1500 WPC power amplifier.

The 7″×5″ touch screen interface was designed in collaboration with Danish UI house Mjölner. The aluminium hand-held remote uses BTLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). Optional modules include HDMI IN/OUT, WiFi streaming, and MM/MC phono. Firmware is updatable via dedicated USB port.

Specifications