Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Hello everyone and especially Inna,

I have not yet taken the plunge. The price of the JR is very high. However, I am going to decide very soon. But this morning as I was browsing some sights I found a LAMM M1.2 that I could afford. It is in the US so I might not be able to hear it (???) unless I go on a short trip (which I could do given my brother lives not far away). It is used so well priced. Any thoughts on this? R

Never mind. Between writing you and emailing the dealer, the LAMM sold. Back to the drawing board. R

Hello Rinpoche.
It would be helpful if you could tell how much you were prepared to spend on the amp, in $US. But if you asked me, I would not settle for anything less than VAC, Rowland or LAMM. Others here, and Wilson Audio themselves, also suggested ARC and VTL. I cannot comment on this because I have no idea.

Thanks, it seems I am courting the right products. Again, since I wrote, another ad for LAMM M2.2 has come to my attention. A friend sent it to me. I am inquiring about its age and so on. I would love to know more from you about LAMM, since you were the first to recommend it. I am still leaning very much toward JR as you know, but don't want to make the wrong move since this is an expensive and hopefully long term committment. I would be able to spend up to 15-16,000 USD. But why not spend less if I can!!!!! Then I could add preamp and cables and just listen to Sarah Mclaughlan and be happy. 

There is still a pair of LAMM M2.2 monoblocks available here for $12800 or best offer. If you consider LAMM, ask the seller for serial numbers and then call or write Vladimir Shushirin, LAMM designer and owner, and ask him about these particular amp's service and repair history. He matches tubes to each amp ! He is a serious person and audiophile. You can ask him about Wilson/LAMM match too.
The biggest mistake in choosing the equipment is spending less than needed. The second biggest mistake is spending more than needed.
If you eventually go with LAMM and later want to add a preamp, this preamp will almost certainly be all tube LAMM, could usually be found for $6000 or so.
If you also consider older Rowlands, I suggest you start a separate thread specifically about them. Some people heard them all with different speakers, and not all Rowlands were great.