Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Thank you all again. I will try to listen to the IQ gear this weekend and see how it compares both in price and sound with the Sigma and the Rowland. I am booked to listen on Saturday morning. Not with the Wilson's but with speakers at the shop. I will take Al's advice to heart and all of your inputs when listening. There is a lot to digest here and it has been amazingly useful. Instructive. Thoughtful. And informative. I can't thank you all enough for your time and wisdom. Will let you know how it goes if you are interested!!!!

Rinpoche,
I look forward to your amplifier  listening  impressions. It's clear to me that you have good ears and can choose what type of sound presentation you prefer. I am very glad you have this opportunity to hear these amplifier candidates. It should be much fun as well as informative.
Charles,

Thank you all again. I will try to listen to the IQ gear this weekend and see how it compares both in price and sound with the Sigma and the Rowland. I am booked to listen on Saturday morning. Not with the Wilson's but with speakers at the shop. I will take Al's advice to heart and all of your inputs when listening. There is a lot to digest here and it has been amazingly useful. Instructive. Thoughtful. And informative. I can't thank you all enough for your time and wisdom. Will let you know how it goes if you are interested!!!!

You can also try IQ with and without preamp from Aeris.

Not with the Wilson's but with speakers at the shop.

Rin, I would expect the speakers you hear at the shop would be well matched to the VAC amp but in any case it may be hard to predict the sound with the Wilson's without hearing the amp and speakers together especially in that the Wilson's may not be particularly tube amp friendly.

Do you know what speakers specifically you will hear at the shop?

You know, that is a great question: what speakers I will listening to at the shop. The shop insists a 3-way is a 3-way. I feel a bit pushed on this one, but there are so few high-end shops in my neighbourhood. They used big Focal speakers that cost $10,000 more than the Sabrinas. So, I agree it is not a fair audition. I am trying, though, to hear the differences in the amps -- but are you saying the JR gear is more suited to the Sabrinas. The Wilson people I spoke to at Wilson Audio love VTL, VAC, ARC, and Nagra tubes with the Sabrinas. They said they pair well, in their opinion. I asked for a home audition but I don't see that happening. Is it the norm for shops to do that?