Used Rowland 302 or H2O Signatures CD Direct

To me,preamp is more important than amp. You just need to find the right one. (usually costly)

Rowland's 302 is not a Class D amp -- it features serious analog power supplies and weigh 95 lbs. (the 301's weigh 110 lbs. each).

Can't answer your question, but as a general proposition, I have a real tough time believing that the H20's can compare in build quality and finesse to the Rowland 300 series. A more appropriate comparison would likely be to Rowland's 201/501 amps.

I can't answer your question about the amps but I am running an Audio Areo directly into my amps and it sound wonderful. I was using in my system a Supratek preamp which is an excellent tube preamp and both my wife & I could not tell the difference with or w/o the preamp. So out went the pre. Most peple have no idea how good the Audio Areo is plugged into the amp. So you are on the right track about no using a pre. Good luck on your amp search.

Semantics. If we just call the ICE module "analog." people will
think it's just another transistor amp.

Frankly, the H2O stands apart from both the 201/501, and 300 series amps.

It's hard to find info about the ICE modules used. Looking at the 201, I would
guess it uses the ICE 500ASP, a module with a built in digital supply. From
what I could gather at a Rowland website, the 300 series have Rowland's in
house digital supply unit.

The H2O has an analog 1k toroidal, and 60,000 + Uv capacitance power
supply. This amounts to tremendous reserves for any sustained dynamic
impulse, under any load. The analogue power supply gives the sound depth,
body, and weight, while preserving the liquidity, separation, and detail
provided by the ICE 500A.

I'd go with the Rowland. There's a lot greater chance they'll stay in business, and protect your resale value.