Another

All those class D advantages you like w softer top end ..try an ARC D250 M or even the stereo model. Not the last word in 3D but a fine amp. Also the Hybrid 220 has a lot of merits and can be had used for less than half of the numbers you are talking...
I am a bit biased to ARC as i have that brand preamp.
You might also try Ayre but make sure up to task w money back or demo...
A big Mac can also be revealing w vise like grip.

Does anyone know of someone who could provide a in-home demo of the Rowland Continuum S2?

Rhanson739, no harm intended. I am finding it odd, that in your original post, you did not mention the need to replace your amp, because of faulty and reliability issues. The amp, on a sonic standpoint, seemed to do everything you wanted an amp to do for you. Unless I missed something in my readings, you withheld the name of the amp manufacturer( not critical), although you mention it to be a very powerful Class D amp. Without the use of a preamp, via your associated equipment listing (also mentioned by Bigkidz), you might be running into an impedance mismatch, or, too low of a voltage gain, this amp requires. I understand the reasons of not using a preamp, but I also understand the benefits of using one. I am just wondering, if, Magnepan, knew of your problem/situation, as well as the amp manufacturer ? I do not know of any of the new, very large, Class D amps available, based on my readings, that would not drive your Maggies. Even some of the high powered Class D pro amps should drive them. How they sound, that is another story. Thank you, Mr.D

Mr D,

I did not mention the manufacturer because I did not want to disparage them. While they make a good product that many enjoy, I have not had the luck of the draw in terms of reliability.

Nor have some others. I am curious about, and under informed about, any voltage or impedance mismatches that might be occurring here, but I will say that my issues have been reported by others who own the same amp, so perhaps my problems are not that unique, nor related to my setup.

Magnepan does not know of this issue.

I would truly love it if someone could look at the specs of my system and say, "There! no wonder!", but no one has pointed to anything obvious.

Can you?

It could just be that this amp is prone to failures. I'm certainly not the only one to experience exactly the same issues.

As for true solutions, I'm all ears, and willing to be educated about it.

Thanks. I hope you can provide some insights.

Rhanson739, as knowledgeable and experienced as I am, or, think I am, with this hobby of recorded music listening, I do not have a recommendation for you. I will say, as my finances, and my life (in general) are not what they once were, I no longer own very expensive equipment. When listening to speakers, it is, imhi, that unless one designs a listening room, with the utmost care ( sometimes from scratch ), to get near perfection, with a particular set of speakers (same with home theater), the miniscule differences between a moderate priced amp and a mega buck amp, is senseless. I have been there, and I have done that. The equipment thing, that is. I was never so fortunate, as to have the real deal, in a room design. However, I had many clients, and friends, who have. A better room/speaker/listener set up, will always bring more musical satisfaction, to me, and them, than spending more money on equipment, especially amplification. Again, this is imo and experience. I am a music listener first, and an audiophile 2nd. What this means is, I want the musicianship, within the recordings, to show up 1st. I want the playing, to start, and stop, on a dime, and cohesively. I want the players to perform, together. I want to capture the proper tone and weight, of the voices and instruments, before I can pinpoint where they are, in front of me. Did I mention dynamics. Live, unamplified music has it. So many mega systems I have listened to, fail, in what I am looking for. Mind you, I am not suggesting I hear better than anyone else. I just know what I am listening for, to please me, something that has taken many years to get to. In a way, I am lucky. I know I am blabbing. The fact of the matter is, if a speaker/room/listener situation, is better to begin with, the cost of the amp is less important, because, in the end, the subtle differences in amps are not as beneficial to a properly set up room. Those that can afford to do both, more power to them. My system, and my room, really does it for me, as again, I am a lucky listener. MrD.