Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Rinpoche, to a some extent price is not an indicator of quality.  Both the VAC and the Rowlands are truly premium quality products that charge premium prices.  I'm not going to argue that you could match or exceed their sound quality at a substantially lower price, but I do argue that you can achieve the sound qualities you desire at a lower price.  You would have to do a side by side comparison to uncover the "lesser" components and fortunately long term happiness doesn't involve side by side comparisons.

Specifically, both Rowland and Ayre make integrated solid state amps in the $10k area.  Pass, Hegel and BAT make solid state power amps in the $5-8k range.  RAM makes a wonderful tube power amp at $5k.  Grace, Mytek, Esoteric (Teac), MSB and Bricasti make great quality DACs that can all be used as preamps at a lower cost than the Rowland.

These are my opinions, so take them for what they are.  From you post it sounds like you have good ears -- ultimately you should trust them.

That is excellent. The recommendations are all very good. I will try to see if we have dealers in the area that carry those brands. I did listen to the Rowland integrated and it didn't have the same beauty as the 625 (which really does compete with the VAC -- except minus that little tube magic I have been referring to). I have heard very good things about the Hegel and some of the other DACS you mentioned. Great idea. Thanks!

I went from a Bricasti M1 DAC to an Aeris DAC. In my system the Aeris is more detailed without being bright, but I agree the M1 is very good.

Considering your opening short list you're getting terrific advise from some of the most respected people who frequent this site. 

You mentioned the possibility of using this gear for TV or Home Theater. The quality and service history of both manufactures is without question.

I strongly suggest you carefully consider just how much TV you and your family watch. Typically, it's usually much more than you think. A current $300 receiver and a set of Elac speakers will convey all the fidelity 99% of whats broadcasted and you won't ever worry if it's accidentally left on. 

The TV and film aspect of the system is one of my concerns about choosing tubes over SS. I don't really have enough room for two sets of speakers and another receiver. We could just use the TV alone for sound on a day-to-day basis and use the 'complete system' for films and perhaps our favourite shows. The Jeff Rowland 625 S2 won't be an issue, but the VAC, I think, will. We do watch a fair bit of TV because I am working on a book on film at the moment, but again I don't need to have it through the main system all the time. My main interest and purpose here is music, and secondarily to have access to TV and film when desired. I think it would mean going through tubes more often, is that right? Sort of like servicing a car if you drive it more? Or are there other issues I don't know about? Is the VAC delicate? Can it take more hours of useage? Or is it just going through the tubes faster and having to replace them? 

Yes, the advice here has been fabulous. Thank you all so much.