Jeff Rowland or Mark Levinson???

Rowland......that's all I will say. I currenlty own an older but larger Rowland Amp and Pre-amp for the past 8 years and nothing I have listened to has made me sell either of them. Yes,there are amps and pre-amps that are better and more expensive, but once your hooked on the musical sound they deliver, you will be gald you made the right choice.

I choose Jeff Rowland. I've owned both Jeff Rowland Model 5 and Mark Levinson No. 23 which are about the same age. ML23 has 200w/ch and JR Model 5 has 150w/ch and both can drive B&W 802S3 with ease.

Sound: JR5 sounds much more smooth, musical and tube-like than ML23 in my opinion. With instrumental jazz JR5 present musics with more air and texture.

Build quality: JR5 is one step better than ML23 in every ways that I know.

Result: JR5 is the keeper. ML23 has to go.

You won't regret in buying either JR or ML since they are very good products. But when it comes to only one, JR is the way to go.

I'll ask what others have, which models? All responses thus far are Pro JR, nothing wrong with that, but from what I have read, the new ML amps are a big improvement over their predecessors, which many were happy with. I would suggest you try your best to bring both home, regardless of size. I am sure you will be very happy with both, but one will suit you better in some way.

I have to agree with Blbloom. We have a matched pair of Model 1's (they even painstakingly matched the silver faceplates for us!) and we have agreed that we will never part with them.
They are the sweetest and most musical amps as well as bullet proof!
Even though we have upgraded to tube amps, we still pull these into the chain from time to time.
The lucky thing for me is that the HT has now become our "boneyard" from the 2 channel, so I got them along with a Classe CA300 for my little project - the HT.
The service from Rowland (perfectionists to say the least!) and their excellent service tracking record really helps in knowing what you are buying before you do.
If you are looking into buying used, I would suggest that you get the serial number and give them a call. They can tell you the service history and what upgrades it has - probably give you a quote on any outstanding upgrades available.
I have no experience with Levinson to offer any direct opinions.

It depends what kind of listener you are.
1. Long term Listener
Here is the Rowland much more satisfying, it is very musical, maybe one of the most musical Transistor Amps available. Doesn't matter which model. They are all good.
2. You know nothing
but you want to walk on the safe side, believing in revolutionary technical progress ( all 8 months ), would like to have the respect from your neighbours, here you are right with ML, specially when you like listening to Test CD's, splintering glass, Bing-bang-boom-music and you like to impress your friends with that.

I know some owners, who love these amps.