JEFF ROWLAND

D E S I G N G R O U P

Concentra Stereo Integrated Amplifier Owners Manual
Introduction Welcome to the Jeff Rowland Design Group family and congratulations on your purchase of what is unquestionably
one of the worlds finest audio amplifiers. With its combination of industrial grade active and passive devices, precision electronic circuitry and accurately machined chassis components throughout, your Concentra Integrated Amplifier will offer you many years of musically satisfying enjoyment. Please take a few moments to read the Jeff Rowland Design Group, Inc. 2911 North Prospect Street Colorado Springs, CO 80907 Phone: 719/473-1181 Fax: 719/633-4158
remainder of this Owners Manual. A thorough understanding of the operational features will allow you to gain the maximum performance and ease of use for which this Amplifier was designed. Your Amplifiers serial number is
located on the rear panel and also recorded below. Please include this number with any correspondence regarding your Concentra Integrated Amplifier. It has been my joy to create an audio component of enduring value which will reflect
a higher ideal of musical and artistic expression. It is my hope that these qualities will enrich your experience of ownership. Enjoy the music!

Jeff Rowland President

Product Features
Three balanced XLR inputs per channel plus three unbalanced (RCA) inputs per channel. Preamp Out in both balanced XLR output and unbalanced (RCA) outputs per channel. Tape input and output jacks allow tape recording from any source and monitoring of tape recorder output. Rear panel handles assist moving and transport of unit. Chassis and all chassis components, precision machined from 6061 aluminum plate, reduce distortion resulting from mechanical resonance and thermal instabilities. All operational functions under microprocessor control. Within five seconds of any function selected, the microprocessor reverts to a nonclocking sleep mode which eliminates any possibility of digital noise contamination. Non-multiplexed, zero electrical noise generating numerical display indicates volume level over entire range of 99.5 decibels. Display off after five seconds option available for non-intrusive, low light listening environments. Dual range volume control allows large volume level changes when knob is rotated abruptly, yet permits precise small volume level changes when knob is rotated slowly. Optional plug-in phono cards (installed internally) convert Line Input 1 to high performance phono inputs. Four gain and input loading options standard for moving magnet and moving coil cartridge types. Full electronic and thermal protection modes guard against output overloads and short circuits. High current preamp outputs (balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA) allow simultaneous driving of external power amplifiers for subwoofers, vertical bi-amping, etc. All inputs are transformer-coupled to provide maximum immunity from RF contamination and system ground loops and enhance compatibility with a wide variety of interconnected components. Speaker outputs are fully balanced to provide maximum sonic performance and immunity from RF contamination due to high output common mode noise rejection. Optical encoder type volume control maintains quiet, trouble-free performance and accuracy over entire lifetime of product. Six-function hand-held IR remote control.
Introduction / Product Features

Contents

Initial Inspection Inspect the shipping container for damage. If the shipping container, packing material, amplifier or accessories are damaged or missing, notify your dealer and the shipper (if a claim is to be made). Note: Many shippers require notification and an inspection within twenty-four (24) hours of delivery to ascertain the nature of damages incurred.
Your Concentra Integrated Amplifier has undergone extensive performance evaluations, listening tests, quality control inspections and a minimum seventy-two (72) hour burn-in period prior to shipment and should be in a perfect operational condition upon receipt. If the Amplifier does not operate correctly, please notify your dealer immediately. We strongly suggest that you save all packing materials. If the Amplifier is returned to your dealer or Jeff Rowland Design Group, the original packing materials must be used for shipment. Neither Jeff Rowland Design Group nor the shipper can be held responsible for damages incurred during transit if the original factory packing is not used. All factory returns require that a Return Authorization number be issued by Jeff Rowland Design Group prior to shipment.
Contents Ensure that all of the auxiliary components listed below are enclosed
within the accessory box. Refer to the diagrams illustrated above and verify the components included.
Handheld remote transmitter Four (4) compliant isolation interface supports AC power cable One (1) warranty card (in some countries warranties are provided by the respective importer)
Initial Inspection / Contents
Front Panel Function Controls

SOURCE

TAPE MON

VOLUME

Before attempting any system interconnection, please familiarize yourself with the front panel controls of the Concentra Integrated Amplifier. The descriptions below refer to the letters associated with the features in the diagram above.
Front Panel A VOLUME control: Rotating the VOLUME control clockwise increases C MUTE push button: Momentarily pressing this push button mutes the
volume, while rotating the knob counter clockwise decreases volume. The VOLUME control provides a fixed range of 99.5 dB in increments of 0.5 dB throughout a rotation of 330 degrees. If the VOLUME control is rotated abruptly, the full range of 99.5 dB will be achieved within 110 degrees of rotation.
B DISPLAY: Contains the IR receiver for receiving commands from the
amplifier PRE OUT and SPEAKER OUTPUTS. The lamp above the MUTE button illuminates. Pressing the push button again restores the normal condition of the amplifier outputs. The MUTE lamp is not illuminated. Pressing and holding in the Mute push button for five seconds, then releasing, will reset the microprocessor and automatically recalibrate internal circuitry. Initiate this function in the unlikely event of control lock-up (caused by AC line brown-outs) or to reset the channel balance to center position if it has been changed via the remote control.

D SOURCE push buttons 1-6: Momentarily pressing one of these buttons
remote control. Also displays the numerical Volume control position from 0 to 99.5 dB in increments of 0.5 dB. If desired, your dealer can internally configure the display to turn off after five seconds from initiating any front panel command (Input Select, Volume, etc.) Please contact your dealer for details.
selects the source (CD, tuner, etc.) connected to the associated rear panel input (see Signal Connections). The lamp above the selected source illuminates. In addition to being selected for listening, the selected source signal is also routed to the PRE OUT and TAPE OUT jacks on the rear panel (see Signal Connections).
TAPE MON push button: Momentarily pressing this button routes the signal source (tape recorder) connected to the TAPE INPUT jacks to the PRE OUT and SPEAKER OUTPUTS for monitoring and listening purposes. The lamp above TAPE MON illuminates. Pressing the button a second time restores normal operation. The TAPE MON lamp is not illuminated. Note: The TAPE OUT outputs are unaffected by TAPE MON.

Signal Connections

C I G H H G I C
A INPUT 1/PHONO (RCA unbalanced): Connect any unbalanced line H PRE OUT UNBAL (RCA unbalanced): This connector provides volume
source (CD, Tuner, D/A Converter, Laser Disk, etc.), unless the PHONO option has been installed. If the PHONO option is installed, the low level output from the PHONO source (turntable) MUST be connected only to this input, and line level sources MUST NOT be connected to this source.
B INPUTS 2 and 3 (RCA unbalanced): Connect any line level source with
controlled output to drive an auxiliary amplifier (as above) requiring unbalanced RCA connections.
unbalanced (RCA) type connectors.
C INPUTS 4-6 (Female XLR balanced): Connect any line level source using
balanced XLR connectors. Each INPUT connector conforms to a Pin #1 ground, Pin #2 negative, Pin #3 positive standard. For lowest possible noise, both positive and negative terminals of each INPUT connector are isolated from ground by several megohms which restores maximum common mode noise rejection regardless of source impedance imbalances.

D TAPE IN (RCA unbalanced): Connect the output from a tape recorder to
SPEAKER OUTPUT: Unscrew the + and - SPEAKER OUTPUT connectors and install the positive and negative loudspeaker cable spade connectors. Retighten the output connectors. Red is normally positive; black is normally negative. ALWAYS USE THE SUPPLIED SPEAKER TERMINAL HAND WRENCH WHEN CONNECTING OR DISCONNECTING LOUDSPEAKER CABLES. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THE TERMINALS. Note: The signal polarity between either PRE OUT BAL or PRE OUT UNBAL and speaker output is inverted. For example: PRE OUT BAL, Pin #3 (positive polarity) and PRE OUT UNBAL (RCA center pin) corresponds to SPEAKER OUTPUT - (negative).
this input to allow monitoring of recording via the TAPE MON push button (see Front Panel Function Controls).
TAPE OUT (RCA unbalanced): Connect to the input of a tape recorder to allow recording from the selected SOURCE. GND: When using the phono option, this thumbscrew provides a convenient ground connection for turntable grounding. To use, unscrew the knurled knob several turns, insert the uninsulated or spade terminal end of the ground wire from the turntable underneath the thumbscrew and firmly re-tighten. such as for subwoofers or for additional speakers, this connector provides fully balanced volume-controlled output to drive the additional amplifier. This PRE OUT conforms to a Pin #1 ground, Pin #2 negative, Pin #3 positive standard. Balanced output signals are always provided regardless of input selected (balanced or unbalanced). Note: The gain structure (internal power amplifier gain) from PRE OUT BAL to SPEAKER OUTPUT is 26 dB.
G PRE OUT BAL (Male XLR balanced): When using an additional amplifier,
electrically active with respect to chassis and/or system ground potential. It is important that both of these outputs are electrically isolated from system ground potential. This precludes the use of this Amplifier in certain loudspeaker switching configurations (sometimes used in retail demonstrations) and testing or servicing situations where either positive or negative outputs can be connected to ground potentials. Failure to observe these precautions may result in damage to the Amplifier and may void your warranty. Consult the factory first if the Amplifier is to be used under these conditions.
WARNING: Both positive and negative SPEAKER OUTPUTS are
Rear Panel Power Connections

Installation

Locate the amplifier as close as possible to its final installation point. Allow access to the rear panel for making connections. The Concentra Integrated Amplifier is convection cooled, eliminating the need for a fan or forced air cooling. When operating, the chassis should have at least two inches of air space around the heat sink areas. Supplied with your Concentra Integrated Amplifier are four compliant interface supports which can be easily installed underneath the chassis near the corners. This will help attenuate the transfer of spurious energy from the supporting structure into the Amplifier chassis.

Important: Please strictly follow the steps in order as outlined below
before operating your Amplifier
Verify that the VOLTS 50/60 Hz INPUT identified on the rear panel corresponds to the AC mains voltage of your service area. Install the AC power cable between the amplifier and an active AC mains outlet
Note: The Concentra Integrated Amplifier is designed to be powered from AC mains at all times with no degradation of durability or service life. An AC power switch for interrupting AC mains has not been provided. However, if desired, the AC power cord can be plugged into a switched AC mains outlet or suitable device to facilitate AC mains switching in the interest of energy conservation. Please note that the Concentra power consumption is approximately 100 watts average. Depending on various operating conditions during use, power consumption can increase up to 550 watts for short periods.
Installation / Rear Panel Power Connections

Remote Control Features

A The six-function, hand-held, IR remote transmitter permits remote
operation of Input Selection, Volume Up/Down, Balance L/R and Mute functions.
B The Concentra volume display simultaneously receives transmitted data
and displays a numerical Volume control position from 0 to 99.5 dB in increments of 0.5 dB. The remote transmitter handset operates on a standard 9 volt battery available from a wide variety of sources. This battery is accessed by removing the two Phillips-head screws on the back side of the handset. Two (2) different data rate transmission codes can be selected if interference from other IR remote transmitters become an issue. Please contact your Jeff Rowland Design Group dealer or distributor for information on selecting different data codes.
Concentra Performance Specifications

Output Power

@ 8 ohms @ 4 ohms
Bandwidth Slew Rate THD and Noise Damping Factor Output Current Gain Structure
Continuous RMS Watts 100 watts 150 watts 0.5 Hz to 160 kHz, -3 dB 30 volts per microsecond Less than 0.06% at rated power 60, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 8 ohms 16 amps continuous, 28 amps peak

Inputs

Balanced Line Unbalanced Line Record Unbalanced Phono (optional)

Outputs

3 per channel (XLR) 3 per channel (RCA) 1 per channel (RCA) 1 per channel (RCA)
Balanced Pre Out Unbalanced Pre Out Record Speaker

Dimensions

1 per channel (XLR) 1 per channel (RCA) 1 per channel (RCA) 1 pair binding posts per channel 17.5 in (W) x 14.35 in (D) x 5.75 in (H) 44.5 cm (W) x 36.2 cm (D) x 14.6 cm (H) 50 lbs (23 kg)
Preamplifier Section Amplifier Section
Volume Control Range Volume Control Resolution Input Impedance Common Mode Rejection Ratio Power Consumption

14 dB 26 dB 99.5 dB

Weight
0.5 dB 0.05 dB over entire range 36k ohm
Greater than 60 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz 100 watts idle; 550 watts maximum
Because Jeff Rowland Design Group is constantly analyzing new design improvements, we reserve the right to change or modify product specifications without notice or obligation.
If you have any additional questions regarding installation or operation, please contact your authorized Jeff Rowland Design Group Dealer.

SoundStage! Equipment Review - Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifi. Page 1 of 6
Home Audio Equipment Review

March 2008

Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifier
by Uday Reddy The integrated amplifier is not quite the Rodney Dangerfield of the audio world, but it certainly doesnt get all of the respect it deserves. Audiophile dogma will have you believe that nothing short of a separate preamplifier and power amplifier will allow you to achieve sonic nirvana, but I firmly believe that, with the exception of cost-noobject separates, a well-designed, high-quality integrated amp provides virtually identical sonic performance at a much better price-toperformance ratio. And whats not to like about that? An integrated amp occupies less real estate and requires one less interconnect and power cord, and you dont have to worry about system matching with regard Review Summary to the preamp and power amp. Sound "There was such a degree of transparency Furthermore, the money saved by that musical details were laid bare, giving a buying a high-quality integrated can sense of palpability to images that were seemingly real." "With regard to tonal be applied to other parts of your balance, the SI 1000 had a slightly cool bias, system. If youre like me and prefer favoring the treble over midrange and to keep things simple, I cant think midbass warmth, but never did this manifest of a better way to go. as harshness or induce listening fatigue." " Founded in 1979, Oracle Audio Technologies, based in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, has long been known for its cutting-edge technology and sleek, futuristic aesthetics, represented most prominently by the Delphi turntable, and the SI 1000 is no exception. Theres no mistaking the SI 1000 as anything but an Oracle, even though it's a little bit chunky compared to the P 1000
One thing that struck me right away was how good the SI 1000 sounded at low levels" -"pure effortlessness and no evidence of congestion or compression." Features "A class A/B, solid-state, dual-mono integrated with a rated power output of 175Wpc into 8 ohms and 275Wpc into 4 ohms. Gain is via a variable digital volume control from Cirrus Logic ranging from 0-60 in half-step increments." "The front panel has an oval fluorescent display with large characters that were easily viewed from my listening position. It displays the input selected and volume level." Use "The other jacks are outputs that allow the SI
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/oracle_si1000.htm

3/15/2008

SoundStage! Equipment Review - Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifi. Page 2 of 6
power amplifier and the DAC 1000 digital-to-analog converter and preamplifier. However, my wife Sonia, who has impeccable taste, took one look at its lacquer-coated, hand-brushed aluminum chassis and said "Wow, thats gorgeous."
The SI 1000 is a class A/B, solidValue "At a price that's close to ten large, the SI 1000 is very expensive. But viewed in the state, dual-mono integrated with a context of its flexibility and functionalitythe rated power output of 175Wpc into 8 SI 1000 will represent significant value to its ohms and 275Wpc into 4 ohms. lucky owner, and there's a lot to respect in Frequency response is quoted as that." 10Hz-35kHz (+/- 3dB). Gain is via a variable digital volume control from Cirrus Logic ranging from 0-60 in half-step increments. Dimensionally, the SI 1000 measures 17 1/2"W x 6 1/2"H x 19"D and weighs 60 pounds. Despite its heft and the lack of handles, it is surprisingly easy to grip and lug around, and it actually feels a lot lighter than its weight would suggest. Each corner has a column-type post that supports the chassis and elevates it off the floor. The front panel has an oval fluorescent display with large characters that were easily viewed from my listening position. It displays the input selected and volume level. Also on the front panel are six buttons that allow for input selection, bypass (for use with a surround-sound processor), volume control, standby and mute.
1000 to be used as a standalone preamplifier or in a biamp configuration with a separate power amp, or to be connected to a powered subwoofer or a subwoofer controller." "The back panel also has an on/off power switch, but during daily operation the standby switch can be used while the integrated is not in use to limit the current draw while still maintaining the circuitry at optimal operating conditions."
The back panel has a pair of Cardas high-quality rhodium-plated binding posts that accept spade lugs, banana plugs and bare wire. There is a single set of balanced inputs for any balanced source and seven pairs of RCA jacks. Two of these are for a CD player and a tuner, plus one auxiliary input for other sources such as a DVD player. Three of the remaining four

SoundStage! Equipment Review - Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifi. Page 3 of 6
sets of jacks are for bypass, tape in, and record out. The other jacks are outputs that allow the SI 1000 to be used as a standalone preamplifier or in a biamp configuration with a separate power amp, or to be connected to a powered subwoofer or a subwoofer controller. A/C input is via a detachable power cord; the SI 1000 is designed to operate at various line voltages, each set by the dealer. The back panel also has an on/off power switch, but during daily operation the standby switch can be used while the integrated is not in use, to limit the current draw while still maintaining the circuitry at optimal operating conditions. Also supplied with the SI 1000 is an aluminum remote control with the same brushed-metal, lacquered finish. The remote is ideally sized and fits comfortably in the hand. One nice touch is the rubber footers attached to the underside. Why have so few companies thought of this? The footers not only protect the surface of your tabletop, they also anchor the remote in place, preventing it from sliding away from your fingers. The remote not only controls the volume, mute, input, standby and bypass functions, but is also able to control Oracle Audio CD players and other manufacturers CD players that use the RC-5 code set. One additional button on the remote, speaker off, disconnects the speaker terminals if the SI 1000 is being utilized strictly as a preamplifier and powering a separate amplifier. Special mention must be made of the shipping crate that the SI 1000 arrived in. After opening the outer cardboard carton, I found a particleboard crate with the lid secured by eight screws. Removing the lid revealed the SI 1000 snugly nestled within, held in place by foam inserts. A nice touch that should ensure safe passage anywhere. Starting over I first received the SI 1000 back in November, but I only had it with me for about two weeks before I had to send it back to the importer so that it could be displayed at CES. This was beneficial. In the intervening six weeks prior to getting the amp back, I was able to become familiarized with my new listening room. Before September of last year, I was living in West Hartford, CT (hometown of both Brad Mehldau and Joel Frahm!) and had my own dedicated, wood-paneled-and-carpeted listening room, which was well damped and had excellent acoustics. Then we moved to Los Angeles, where weve been renting a small house while we wait for the real-estate market to stabilize, and the room I now use for listening is an asymmetric spare bedroom that is less than ideal -- with 40% less volume and highly reflective surfaces. Still, with Wilson Audios setup instructions and some damping treatments, I was able to achieve an arrangement that I could live with, the only major problem being that the width and depth of the soundstage were compressed because of the reduced room boundaries. From the time of the SI 1000's initial delivery and for a few days following its return from CES, I listened to it casually before beginning any serious auditioning. Knowing that it had already been broken in, I did not expect -- and, indeed, did not notice -- any appreciable change in its sonic character throughout the review period. The stock power cord was used throughout the entire review. Despite use over extended periods of time, sometimes at high levels, the SI 1000 remained cool enough to touch and performed flawlessly. Invisible & invincible When I want to hear just what a component is capable of, I reach for live recordings from the MaxJazz label. Not only is the MaxJazz roster of artists superb, but the recording techniques

SoundStage! Equipment Review - Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifi. Page 4 of 6
are stellar, with a house sound that presents a you-are-there experience. On Mulgrew Millers Live at the Kennedy Center Volumes 1 & 2 [MaxJazz MXJ 217 & 219] the SI 1000 didnt disappoint, delivering a suitably wide and deep soundstage with 3-D imaging and no loss of focus. There was such a degree of transparency that musical details were laid bare, giving a sense of palpability to images that were seemingly real. This quality wasnt limited to modern recordings. The recently remastered At the Five Spot by Thelonius Monk [Milestone MCD-47043] was beautifully rendered, with a front-row perspective that allowed me to get a real feel for Monks and Johnny Griffins interplay.
Associated Equipment Loudspeakers Wilson Audio Sophia. Integrated amplifier Jeff Rowland Design Concentra. Digital Wadia 830 CD player. Interconnects Transparent Audio Ultra MusicLink. Speaker cables Transparent Audio Ultra MusicLink. Accessories Audio Power Industries Power Pack II.
Multi-track studio recordings also benefited from this degree of up-front clarity. Ive spent a lot of time recently listening to the Miles Davis boxed set The Complete On the Corner Sessions [Columbia/Legacy 88697062392]. Recordings from this era of Daviss musical career were multi-track performances recorded over many sessions and heavily edited by Davis and producer Teo Macero, splicing together multiple recordings from different dates to produce individual tracks. Despite this, individual instruments were not lost in the mix, and soloists stood out in plain relief against the dense and heavy soundscapes.
One thing that struck me right away was how good the SI 1000 sounded at low levels. Because our house is so small and my listening room is adjacent to the other bedrooms, many times I have to listen at far-less-than-realistic volume levels. With lesser integrated amps, this would result in a loss of micro detail and collapsing of the depth and width of the soundstage. Not with the SI 1000. The New Mastersounds Live at La Cova [3 on the B Records 3BRCD004] was quite revealing. With a high-energy live recording like this, I would have expected the sonic images to be flat at lower levels, but the SI 1000 reproduced the music in a holographic manner. Yes, the overall sonic picture was less full, and goosing the music with a little more power certainly allowed the aural imagery to blossom, adding to the weight of the music, particularly with the bass, but in no way was the sound less than satisfying during late-night listening when my family was sleeping. When I wanted to listen at moderate to ridiculous levels, the SI 1000 happily obliged with pure effortlessness and no evidence of congestion or compression. With regard to tonal balance, the SI 1000 had a slightly cool bias, favoring the treble over midrange and midbass warmth, but never did this manifest as harshness or induce listening fatigue. If anything, this cooler presentation may have added to the transparency that so impressed me during the course of the review. The treble itself was reproduced smoothly with excellent high-frequency extension. Cymbals were reproduced cleanly with realistic shimmer and crash, sounding nothing like high-frequency noise but like wood striking brass. John Coltranes soprano saxophone on "My Favorite Things" from My Favorite Things: Coltrane at Newport [Impulse B0009076-02] extends into the upper registers with ease and no sense of strain, and the SI 1000 conveyed its harmonium-like tone perfectly.

SoundStage! Equipment Review - Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifi. Page 5 of 6
Although the SI 1000s manner leaned toward the cooler side, this was not at the expense of the midrange or a lack of naturalness in the re-creation of a live performance. The Brent Jensen/Rob Walker Quintet s Art of the Groove [Origin 82427] was recorded live to twotrack, and the tone was rich and energetic with no sense of leanness and acute re-creation of the studios feel. Jensens alto sax had an almost velvety-rich tone that was quite captivating, and Walkers flugelhorn was brassy and vibrant. The SI 1000 was able to deliver current to the speakers so effortlessly that bass impact was nothing short of visceral. On the title track of Steely Dans Everything Must Go [Reprise 48435-2], drums and bass were punchy, tuneful and fat without sounding bloated. Increasing the volume considerably delivered more of the same without muddying things up, and there was seemingly limitless power. Im sure my speakers could have handled more, given how easily and cleanly this signal was served up, but my inherent caution got the better of me, and I dialed the volume down to a more reasonable level. Such bass control held true for all types of music -- symphonic, jazz, blues, rock'n'roll -- and at no point did the SI 1000 strain to deliver. However, I do have a few functional nits to pick with the SI 1000, though they are fairly minor. The most significant was the presence of only one balanced input, but thats fairly easy to get around by just muting the integrated and switching the interconnect at the source. Also, while most people can probably live without a balance control, as Ive recently found out, in less-than-perfect rooms, this can be very useful. Last, although I havent listened to vinyl in more than 20 years, one of the attractive qualities of my Jeff Rowland Concentra integrated is the optional MM/MC phono card (still available) should I suddenly want to dip my toes back into analog waters. The SI 1000 has no phono stage, which seems especially odd, given that Oracle's best-known product is a turntable. All of these are certainly not deal breakers, especially in light of the SI 1000's stellar fidelity. Comparison As I mentioned, the SI 1000 has a slightly cool tonal balance, and when compared to my reference, an original Jeff Rowland Concentra , this was all the more apparent, with the SI 1000 sounding somewhat drier, but not so much so that the music sounded sterile or clinical. I can envision pairing the SI 1000 with a speaker possessing a warmer tonal balance to even things out, but this might be at the expense of the SI 1000s superb transparency, which provided an open window into the recorded event. The Concentra brings some of its own warmth to the proceedings, making it a pleasing sonic match for a wider array of speakers. More important, however, was the dynamic headroom that the SI 1000 supplied. Its higher power output and its ability to deliver current to the speakers allowed it to present the music realistically at all volume levels -- more so than the Concentra. With a lower power output, the Concentra approached but did not equal the SI 1000 at higher SPLs, but at lower volumes, the SI 1000 was better able to convey the sense of scale of the performance in a way that the Concentra was unable to match. The added power also conveyed additional lowend grunt, giving the SI 1000's low bass more impact at higher volumes. In this case, more money gets you more of certain things and also a distinctly different view of the music. I like living with the Concentra, but the SI 1000's visit was one I'll certainly

SoundStage! Equipment Review - Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifi. Page 6 of 6
remember. R-E-S-P-E-C-T When listening casually, Im often reading the newspaper or a magazine, but well-executed components will present the music in such a convincing fashion that it is impossible to ignore. The SI 1000 is one such component. I often found myself putting down whatever I was reading to focus on the music because it sounded so compelling. At a price that's close to ten large, the SI 1000 is very expensive. But viewed in the context of its flexibility and functionality, especially when paired with an Oracle CD player or another compatible player, plus a DVD player in a 2.1 channel home-theater setup, the SI 1000 will represent significant value to its lucky owner, and there's a lot to respect in that.Uday Reddy uday@soundstage.com Oracle Audio Technologies SI 1000 Integrated Amplifier Warranty: Two Years parts and labor. Oracle Audio Technologies, Inc. 6136 Boulevard Bertrand Fabi, Suite 101 Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1N 2P3 Phone: (819) 864-0480 Fax: (819) 864-9641 E-mail: info@oracle-audio.com Website: www.oracle-audio.com US distributor: Audiotion, LLC 1313 Hillside Avenue Richmond, VA 23229 Phone: (804) 442-6500 Fax: (804) 201-9750 E-mail: rusty@audiotion.com Website: www.audiotion.com
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