Amps/Preamps for Revel Studios

THE AMP for the Revel Studio's is the Jeff Rowland Model 10 (of course in my opinion).
The combination of the Studio's and Rowland 10's are a match made in heaven.
Way better than the Studio's/Levinson (334-336)combination.

Do yourself a favor and go listen to the Studio's and Rowland 10 together.

I know that new it is over your budget, but there is a Rowland 10 listed in the clasifieds by a guy who is upgrading to the Rowland 12's.

Rowland is great gear but there is no better match for the revels than MARK LEVINSON !!!!!!!! There is a great synergy between the two. You can buy a 335 for 4,500 to 4,800 on the used market and you will be in heaven. I know I have one and love it. good luck

There you have it! X answers - X opinions :-)
Well, that's normal, isn't it. But let me throw in my humble opinion. I am a REVEl fan! I purchased the ULTIMA SYSTEM a year ago and for me there is no better speaker in the world for my needs. I test auditioned the REVEL Salon and since my impression of that audition is equal to the audition with the GEM/SUB I must say that Mark Levinson doesn't do it for me at all. Much too harsh, much to over exposed. The PASS MX5 was a step better but heavens opened up with tube gear!! I don't know if a powereful enough amp will fit your budget, but maybe not today maybe tomorrow. The McIntosh MC 2000 feeding the REVEL Ultima System is my final high end solution. End of search in that field.
Good luck
Tilmann

I have a pair of Revel Studios and used to have a Levinson 331. Then I tried a Pass Labs Aleph 4. I went back and forth over a 2 month period because I did not want to part with the 331, but everytime I hooked up the Pass amp, I knew the levinson had to go. no comparison ... the Pass is much more natural, open, and detailed.

I'm glad Lev335 loves his levinson amp, but I'll bet he's never heard the Pass amps in his system. He would be shocked.