Rowland Model 3 Mono-Blocks! Thoughts?

[SimplySound]

I am looking at a pair of Rowland Model 3 Mono-blocks but not sure I should make this type of investment. They would be mated to my KEF R107's (rated up to 300Wpc @ 4ohms) and be driven with an NAD T775HD AVR.

Right now I am running a single McCormack DNA-1 Deluxe for the pair. This amp is rated at 185wpc @8Ohms and basically doubles to 360Wpc @4Ohms. So it isn't like I am underpowering the KEF's.

The McCormack is nice. Real detail and clarity without being too analytical. Good Bass control which the KEF's really need with the Coupled Cavity Design. However, the DNA-1 maybe isn't quite as warm or smooth in the upper frequencies as I might like.

I had an early Belles Research 400 which had that warmth but wasn't as clean or open as the McCormack.

So my question is this; has anyone here had a set of the Jeff Rowland Model 3's? I hear they can be a touch dark and so I'm wondering if they would sound more like my Belles? Anyone know how they compare to the McCormacks? :scratch2:

All comments and thoughts welcome! :thmbsp:

Spec sheet is linked here!

 

[mclsound]

Im wondering also

 

[edwyun]

I had a chance to hear the model 2s and 3s back in the early to mid 90s if I recall. Memories fade after all this time but I do remember they were somewhat laid back compared to my setup at that time. Maybe that equates to a little darkness, I don't know. But what I do know is that, after the audition, I was really impressed by Rowland products - even to this day. Very easy to listen to his stuff. I also liked the ability of those amps to change the output impedance (as my threshold equipment operated at 600 ohms).

Note that Rowland stuff back then was a bit more laid back than his more current offerings.

Any chance you can audition before purchase?