Jeff Rowland to what?

just reading all these posts....the bottom line is that You have to be satisfied. All components have their own special flavors. ...and too how these boxes integrate with each other. I’m a pro violinist, and am astounded how different my violin sounds in different halls...indeed in different rooms in my house. The truth, is there is no truth. ,,,even if you could handle it :)

you might be interested in how the Rowland and Ayre customer service is provided.....in my experience they are both exceptional ( as is Vandersteen)

I’ve had a unique experience with Jeff Rowland customer service, as I have talked to Mr Rowland several times. He was polite, knowledgeable, and went above and beyond assisting me.

We have the T+A PA 3000 amplifier and it is just a smoking amplifier.

http://www.ta-hifi.de/wp-content/uploads/HV_Serie_2017_GB.pdf

The integrated amplifier version which costs $19k was compared to $120k worth of CH Precision gear and Allan Taffel could barely tell the difference when he made the comparison.

T+A is one of those brands that just is not getting the notice the brand should be getting on these forums.

If you look at the last few reviews of their gear the reviewers all went banannas over the sound quality, build quality and technology.

The HV series is designed to directly mimic the sound of tubes by running solid state devices at high voltage rails with a similar capactiy of tubes.

The amplifier is a 300 watt power house with 500 watts into a 4 ohm load and can be upgraded by adding a outboard power supply and can even be turned into mono blocks.

Absolutely amazing sounding products, a warm midrange, huge sound stage, airy top end without sterility, a full puunch slightly big and warm bass response.

Add to this stunning good looks, managable weight, impeciable German craftsmenship and when compared to rival products the products that are being discussed usually run 2-3 times the price of the T+A products!

If you are ever in our neck of the woods, New York metro you should hear this gear it competes easily with the really expensive stuff yet is priced suprisingly at realistic and affordable levels for such gear.

http://reviewtechgame.blogspot.com/2014/07/ta-p3000a3000ps3000hv-prepower.html

Troy and Dave
Audio Doctor
877 428 2873

You are not going to change the speakers you have.  You ruled out ARC gear (and all tubes), so the question boils down to "what electronics will be better than Rowlands"

Is that right?

Ayre was already mentioned.  What about Moon Evolution?

I'll also mention room treatments, or... building a new room.  Then there the possibility of upgrading the source material.

randy-11,

I would change speakers if I had 50K to spend :). I know nothing is perfect, but it took a couple years to decide on speakers. I had Wilson Audio Sasha 1's, and a couple of Revel speakers in between and Aerial 7Ts with dual JL Audio F110 v2s prior to the PL500 IIs. I listened to Magico S5's and Rockport Aviors. I almost purchased Rockport Aviors! I ended up with PL500 II after I had the opportunity to hear them in  my room. I never liked Monitor Audio series I. So to me I would have to spend a lot more, based on "my preferences" to seriously upgrade from what I have.

I'm looking into Moon Audio, because it my understanding that Monitor Audio uses them with the PL500 at shows.

My room is treated with GIK bass traps in the corners and at the first reflection points and the rear wall.

I'm open to suggestions regarding source and cable options.