Zd542,
I've owned several amps and listened to several in different systems over the years(Parasound, Bryston, Peachtree, Bel Labs, Classe, Levinson). To my ears Jeff Rowland is one of the few amps that produces a 3d image and I'm very satisfied with the 525, especially for how much it cost.
"At this level, its not good enough to just pick components. In order to get what you are looking for in the above quote, you must consider at the whole system. One mismatched piece can ruin the systems ability to image properly." Okay, but in an earlier post you say "I'll start off with 2 recommendations. For solid state, I would look at an Ayre K-5, and for tubes, an Aesthetix Calypso. Those 2 pieces do everything right, and work well with a wide variety of components. Either should go very well with your Rowland."
My experience tells me that switching one component or cable for that matter can have a significant impact on the sound. Yes, it's a system, but each component can impact the overall signature of the sound. I'm looking for suggestions, but I'll let my ears and wallet decide.