Jeff Rowland to what?

Hello ricred1,  I didn't want to imply that your speakers are inferior in some way- I have never heard them.  But one example i can offer is the day i heard Wilson MAXX
speakers and then after those the Alexandria's at a local store.  The upgrade was like
an entirely different way of experiencing the music.  Both speakers cost
a huge amount of money, but I couldn't even consider buying the MAXX's after hearing their flagship model.  In my own home i upgraded
from B&W-801s3 to Eggleston Andra's (and then to Andra-II's)- really no words can describe the improvement or the enjoyment i got from listening for hours on end.  I gave up the Egg's for Von Schweikert speakers and gained much more midrange clarity.  
    So i took a different path from you, and since there are no Monitor Audio dealers around town the issue never came up. I am also a huge fan of Sonus Faber's (a friend has a pair of Extrema's which sound out of this world).  
      You could improve your source components and/or your cables as well, but looking for a "better" amplifier than Rowland is IMO is going to be difficult. Plus you have the Corus preamp as well, so as one dealer told me when i purchased a Rowland Consonance w/phono a number of years ago, "you're done"- i.e.- go improve some other piece of gear.
Even today, that is one hell of a great preamp.

French_fries,

I'm okay and appreciate your contribution to the discussion. The Von Schweikert VR-55 are some of the best speakers that I've heard and I would buy them if I had the money.
I'll be honest, after talking to a very good friend/dealer that has access to many different components I decided that it's best to keep my amplifier and preamp.
Give my suggestions regarding source components and cables. My current cables are Wireworld Platinum Interconnect and Power cables. My speaker cables are Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7. My current source is a Bryston BDP2 with my Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC. Prior to the Aeris, I had an PS Audio Directstream and Bricasti M1 DAC. I prefer the Aeris. I'm open to suggestions.

" I truly don't think you'll exceed the the Rowland unless maybe an Agostino S250 would offer something you might prefer. Beyond that you'll need to look towards some of the European boutique brands at great expense. Jeff personally is involved with each single unit built which is to the highest standard I'm aware of with respect to US audio companies. "

I like Rowland too, but when I compare my Rowland amp next to just 1 of my Ayre V-5's, the Rowland sounds defective. You certainly don't have to buy an extremely high price, state if the art type of amp to best it.

Knowledge almost always wins over price. The more you know, the less you have to spend.

4425

I just read my post. That last bit was a general comment. It kind of looks like it was directed towards you, but its not.

sfall,

It looks like your comparing older Jeff Rowland amps to newer Ayre amps. I respect everyone's opinion, so if to your ears the Ayre makes the Rowland amps sound broke, that's fine.
I've been doing the audiophile thing for over 20 years. I've listened to Ayre several times driving Wilson Audio Sasha 1s and Rockport Aviors. Let just say, I'll keep my current Rowland 625 S2 over any Ayre that I heard, which includes their mono-amps.
I've never been about price being an indication of better, but more about what my ears prefer in a given price range.