Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Hello to all of you. Just got all of your fabulous posts. I don't know any of you, yet I feel a kindred spirit-ness. Guido — no offence taken whatsoever. Your amps are definitely better. And, if I could afford more I would go that route without question. And, just to let you know Angie spoke so highly of you and she remembers you well. I gave her your regards and she returns your best wishes.

Next, inna — I didn't entertain the LAMM because in Canadian dollars it it still way out of my budget. Would that it were other wise I would be listening to the M1 whatever # they are and travelling to visit the Quebec dealership. Alas, admittedly, I do listen to digital and I take your observation to heart. I am sure this is the WEAK link in the whole chain. I agree totally. But, again, convenience is a high priority. It is clear that I will (probably) never go vinyl. CDs might happen. I have a fabulous CD collection but no CD player presently. If and when I have some extra cash (LOL) I might get on and will return to you to get your advice. As you have already provided excellent advice on CDs — thank you so much. 

Also, I will run the Aeris directly until I can save up for the right pre-amp. I don't want to hurry things too much just because I am impatient. The Aeris and 625 S2 (yes it is the S2) will work for now and make me very happy. When that plateaus, as we all know it will, then I will add in the pre-amp and be in listening nirvana again. 

But no tweaking. No rolling tubes. No two amps and changing wires. Just a great sound with a nice aesthetic. That is okay, isn't it?

rinpoche,  enjoy your musical experience and aesthetic with your Rowlands; I am sitting hear enjoying music with my Modwright gear

ricred1, i have not heard the 625S2 in my system, but I have heard the
625's on several occasions. The 625's are a good amp, but like I said, they sound to me like a ss amp ( nothing really wrong in that). The ss sound is ( at least to my ears) not quite the same "flavor" as the tube sound. No wrongs, no rights. 

daveyf,
I’m not concerned about if you like or dislike the 625 S2. I don’t understand why or how you make blankets statements about equipment when you admit that you haven’t compared it to a tube amplifier in your system, because you haven’t heard it in your system. I have the 625 S2 and in my system, if the recording has depth, it reproduces it. I’ve had and heard many amplifiers with music that I’m very familiar and the 625 S2 produces depth equal to or better than every amplifier I’ve listened to. No it’s not for everyone, but to suggest it doesn’t do something that it does is a disservice to OP that either purchased or is considering this amp.

ricred1..don't get your pan..... in a twist!
I own a customized ( by Jeff) model 8T...which frankly blew away the standard 625 in my system when I did an AB. My tube amp ( which I suspect you do not own--or for that matter any tube amp!) is an ARC classic. Like all great tube amps, it has a sound that no ss amp can achieve....none.  Sure, the Rowlands create depth, just not IME as much depth as the best tube amps of my experience. Unfortunately, I suspect that you have not heard what a great tube amp can do in your system...
That's not my problem.
Like I said before---no wrongs, no rights. Ok, next---