Beyond Ayre Pass and Rowland

Charles, 
If presented the opportunity,  without the need to purchase I will. I listen to my system yesterday for several hours and still really love it. No, it's not at the same level as the Absolare, but close enough considering the cost difference. I'm still going to try a tube preamp. I'm curious to hear if adding a tube preamp will provide a little sliver of the Absolare magic  

Hello Richard,
Tube preamp idea is a good move. You may or may not prefer it but it’s worth the effort to listen to one in your system. You have the right attitude. Keep in mine that amongst tube preamps each will sound different from oneanother. Here’s what I mean,  CJ, ARC,VAC or Atma-Sphere(all are well respected) for an example have their own distinct sound character. So many variables in High End audio= fun and discovery.
Charles,

Which one of those do you like most, Charles?

Charles,
It's just a matter of what works best in my system, based on my priorities. I plan on listening to an Audio Research Ref 6 within the next few weeks. Another guy suggested that I listen to a Dartzeel preamp.

Hi Richard, 
Yes system synergies will be the determining factor. I find it virtually impossible to say that one is clearly superior to the other. The ARC REF 6 could be the perfect fit in one system and yet be outdone by the CJ GAT in another setting. I’ve heard the VAC Signature MK II and the Atma-Sphere MP I MK III with my SET 300b mono blocks (my amplifier was placed in two different systems that used these preamplifiers). Both were excellent in my opinion.

Of course the challenge is getting the opportunity to hear the various contenders in the same system, easier said than done. Richard I truly believe that any of the four I listed along with the Coincident Line Stage would mate fabulously with your Jeff Rowland amplifier. Yet each one would reveal its own unique sonic character.
Charles,