Cello, Rowland, Pass, OR Accuphase?

the pass 350 may have higher rated power (per ftc regs) than the jrdg8 but, IMHO, lacks the punch, slap, rythm and speed of the latter. moreover, the eidolons are nominal 4 ohm speaks, which use the high current and "output doubling" of the jrdg to great advantage. most important, i think the jrdg is much more liquid ("tube-like" is another way of saying it) than the pass, which tends to be somewhat lean and dry in the all-important mid-band. like everthing: that's just my opinion. go with whatever thrills ya. just make sure you LISTEN, for a weekend at least, before you leap into this territory of the highend.

CORNFEDBOY, I AM NOT AN AUDIOFILE SO I DID NOT UNDERSTAND MUCH OF WHAT YOU WROTE. IE JRDG? IMHO?ETC. I JUST LOVE GOOD SOUND. YOU SAID THAT 2 ACCUPHASE A50S WOULD NOT BE POWER ENOUGH. THOSE WOULD BE 200(INTO 8 OHMS ) BRIDGED OPERATION WHAT EVER THAT MEANS USED AS MONOBLOCKS

craigza, If you like your 8Ti/HC's, you should try and get a chance to listen to the new Model 12 mono's. I have the Model 10 stereo, and I am very impressed with it, this from a longtime Rowland amp fan. I actually thought about getting a used Model 2, simply because my power needs aren't that great and I love the sweet tone of the older Rowland amps. Who cares if they smooth things over a bit, they're just so easy to listen to, I love them! So I was very pleased to learn after buying the Model 10 sight-unseen (and waiting 10 weeks for delivery; ugh) that it retains the traditional Rowland tone, but with better inner detail and transient attack. I would imagine the Model 12 mono version is simply outstanding. And of course, the added bonus: they're not as $*&^@ LARGE as the 8's! Though stacked one atop another is quite a funny sight.

Could you advice on using Avalon Avatars or Eidolons with Mark Levinson 20.6 or 33h? I am looking for other power amps that dissipate less heat. Should run Eidolons. What would you suggest? What's the story on 220 outlets making gear perform better? Regards

A close friend and Accuphase/Avalon dealer here in Denver--John Barnes of Audio Unlimited has been demonstrating the Eidolons with all Accuphase gear (a pair of A50s and the 290 preamp, along with the DP-75 CD player) since the speakers came out. The amps will push the Eidolons in an 18' x24'x10' acoustically-designed listening room to extremely high SPLs. John also has driven the Eidolons with other components he sells, including the big $35,000 Boulder amp, Electrocompaniet, Air Tight, conrad-johnson and Muse, to mention just a few. I've heard nothing that sounds better driving the Eidolons than the A50s. Don't let the 50wpc rating fool you; these are Class A high-current units of extreme efficiency that make magnificent sound with the Eidolons. IMO, the big Boulder didn't do any more for me than the Accuphase amps. Try them, if you can. Very synergistic.