Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

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.

Hi rinpoche,
It seems like the Rowland amplifier really impressed you but nonetheless you appear to be more captivated by the VAC.  Of course the more often you use the VAC  the sooner you'll have to replace the tubes.  Good news is that the amplifier doesn't require a multitude of tubes and the KT  88 output tubes are modestly priced (compared to my amplifier's 300b tubes).  The VAC is "very" rugged,well built and reliable.  A good friend of mine had the VAC Phi 300.1 and had no problems with it at all during his 5 years of ownership. As has been acknowledged,  you need to hear both amplifiers in your system. 
Charles,