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Ayre or Rowland Amp?

I am thinking seriously about stepping out of my tubed ARC VT100 MKII amp into something that doesn't require retubing. The Rowland 201s or the Ayre V5xe look interesting from reviews, but I haven't heard either. These will be fed by an ARC LS5MKIII (which I love) and will feed Watt/Puppy 7s.

There don't seem to be that many of either amp 'out there' so info is relatively hard to come by, especially on the newer incarnation of the Ayre.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Bob Wood
128x128woodburger
bryanhod
211 posts
 
I have those "sterile" Roland M201s and I think they are FANTASTIC. So I think you will just have to try them to be sure what sound you like best.
scottsman
15 posts
 
I will have to second the "FANTASTIC" comment regarding the Rowland. I am using the Concerto int. which is said to be the "equivalent" to the Concerto pre / 201's. Can't write enough positive adjectives about it. The lack of "3-D" comment makes me wonder what the front end and speakers were.
bxxxb
29 posts
 
I also have Concerto integrated and I couldn't agree more...and just to mention that I was a tube(300B SET) guy before.
henryhk
648 posts
 
I noticed Ayre is soon coming out with monoblocks which look small in size....they showed them at HT. May want to check on them or wait for them before making a decision. I know I am!
wadia150's avatar
wadia150
85 posts
 
ayre is a much better amp than a rowland which uses little cheap power modules. rowlands are not great values
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