JRDG Company Special – Daemon

2015-present

Retail Price in the Netherlands in 2016 – 51.900 euro

The Daemon integrated amplifier offers 1500 watts of power per channel, a full range of digital and analog inputs (including DSD), a Bluetooth remote, and optional phono, WiFi and HDMI input modules. The precise method of amplification is not disclosed but in any event, the Daemon employs dual Pascal modules for amplification.

Update April 2022: the WiFi module has been canceled.

The Daemon is considered to be the company’s ultimate integrated amplifier. Named after the ancient Greek word for the power of “creative genius” and the spirit of “scientific inspiration”, the Daemon represents a technological leap forward as Jeff Rowland’s fifth generation of integrated amplifiers. Revealed at the CES in Las Vegas, and later at Munich High End 2015, the Daemon is expected to become available in the Netherlands late 2015.

The 1500 WPC dual mono integrated amplifier is machined from solid bars of 6061-T6 aluminum by Vertec Tool in Colorado Springs. Vertec has been sculpting Rowland products for over 25-years. Vertec’s creativity and expertise can be felt in the Daemon’s precision weighted volume bezel. Mounted between two industrial grade bearings, the volume bezel provides exquisitely tactile access to a 99.5 dB range in 0.5 dB increments.

Jeff Rowland has partnered with Thomas Holm, designer of the Aeris DAC and Continuum S2 digital circuitry, to develop both analog and the digital circuitry for the Daemon. For ultimate isolation, the digital and analog power supplies are completely separated and have 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 allowing for all sample rates from 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz. DSD compatibility is available via USB. Analog inputs include 3 RCA Unbalanced and 2 XLR Balanced. All audio inputs are transformer coupled with custom Lundahl transformers designed for the Daemon.

XLR + RCA Direct Power Amplifier Inputs bypass the pre-amplification section turning the Daemon into a 1500 WPC stereo power amplifier. When the Power Amplifier Input is selected, it is isolated and buffered by the same transformer input circuitry provided for all balanced and unbalanced audio inputs. XLR + RCA Preamplifier Line Outputs allow for use of a secondary external amplifier powering an external sub, additional loudspeakers, or for bi-wiring applications.

The 7” x 5” (178 x 127 mm) Touch Screen Interface was designed in collaboration with Danish user interface design house Mjölner. The machined aluminum hand held remote incorporates the latest BTLE (BlueTooth Low Energy) providing control for the most common device functions and permitting full navigation of the touch screen interface. BlueTooth enabled mobile device apps will also become available.

For headphone users there is a fully isolated headphone amplifier and a 1/4” output jack integrated in the face of the Delrin base for easy access. The base itself provides excellent isolation for the Daemon on almost any surface, and milled with threaded holes accepting standard footers if desired.

Extra Modules

Three optional modules can be installed inside the Daemon – HDMI IN/OUT plug-in module; WiFi plug-in streaming module; and an internally installed MC/MM phono module. The firmware is updatable via a dedicated USB port. The Daemon’s universal auto-ranging power supply ensures trouble free operation throughout the world.

Update April 2022: the WiFi module has been canceled.

Connectivity

On the analog side there are 3 x RCA and 2 x XLR balanced inputs. Digital inputs on the other hand include 2 x RCA (SPDIF), 2 x BNC (SPDIF), 1 x AES/EBU, 1 x USB (DSD) and 3 x TOSLINK.

Right before I was about to leave the audio show, I ran into Jeff himself. He is a very kind and very relaxed person. Very tall, too!

Daemon Specifications

Max. Power Output, 8ohms
1500 W

Max. Power Output, 4ohms
2500 W

Frequency Response
10 Hz – 70 kHz

THD+N (20 Hz – 20 kHz )
< 0.05%

Intermodulation Distortion (CCIF) 18 kHz +19 kHz, 10 W, 8ohms
0.001%

Peak Output Current
30 A

Absolute Phase
Non-Inverting

Analog Inputs
3x RCA Unbalanced
2x XLR Balanced

Digital Inputs
2x RCA SPDIF
2x BNC SPDIF
1x AES/EBU
1x USB / DSD
3x TOSLINK

Volume Control Range
99.5 dB

Weight
99 lbs / 45 kg

Dimensions (h/w/d)
9.25” x 17.5” x 17.25”
235 x 445 x 438 mm

Daemon Features

1500W Dual Mono

Isolated Digital and Analog Power Supplies

Machined 6061-T6 Aluminum Chassis

7” x 5” (178 x 127 mm) Touch Screen Interface

Precision Weighted Volume Bezel

XLR + RCA Direct Power Amplifier Inputs

XLR + RCA Preamplifier Line Outputs

Isolated Headphone Amplifier and Output Jack

All Audio Inputs Transformer Coupled

BTLE (BlueTooth Low Energy) Remote

Digital Inputs 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz

DSD Compatible

Dual Loudspeaker Outputs

Updatable Firmware via Dedicated USB Port

Auto-ranging AC Mains Voltage 85 V – 265 V AC

HDMI Plug-in Module (optional)

WiFi Streaming Module (optional) (cancelled)

MC/MM Phono Module (optional)

More Jeff Rowland

Jeff Rowland Company Special Main Page
Jeff Rowland Company Special Integrated Amplifiers