What preamp & power amp to buy?

You should include Pass Labs Class A monoblocks (XA .5 series) and their pre-amp in your evaluation too. Good luck...nothing more fun than buying new gear.

There may be an even newer Rowland amp then M625 coming our way. Last I heard it may be a bridgeable version of M625 with a different model number ... operable both in stereo and mono configuration. Probably same chassis as M625. I have no hard information on pricing, technical specifications or performance... so I'll spare you my wilding speculations on the subject. I'll post when I get some hard info. G.

cost is no object;I would look at atmasphere ma3's with atmasphere's matching higher end pre amp;that is if cost is no real concern.

Are these recommendations Lamm, Pass, Rowland, AS ... based on personal experience driving Rockport Ankaa or just the components in the Stereophile recommended Class A+++++?

Kclone,

I have the Herron combo and love them, no artificial bloom, no grain or hard etch sound, just very liquid with outstanding dynamic swings and really draws you into the music. I have owned Belles, Rogue, Classee,CJ, AR, Bryston and many others and the Herron equipment is head and shoulders above them.

Get the Herron equipment and enjoy world class sound for many years verses the other manufacturers who change their equipment every other year. Too me, Herron sounds right.