Cello, Rowland, Pass, OR Accuphase?

i have eidolons and run them from the jrdg8, using accuphase products for source and electronics. i've listened to them on numerous amps at audio dealers and ces. they sound great on accuphase, but need the bigger models than a50's to match the jrdg, IMHO; e.g., bridged p550's. the pass stuff is good but, again, you'll need more power than the 350. i'd avoid cello entirely. i don't think they're gonna be around much longer. another amp i'd consider, BTW, is the boulder, either the stereo 1060 or, if your budget can stand it, one of the really big monos. the boulders are the very best i've heard with the eidolons but you may need to install a 220 outlet to make 'em sound best. (i'm not kidding.) where do you live? do you have all the electronics listed available for audition? if not, email me. i might be able to give you more "hands-on" advice.

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.

hillyg. most of the terms i used are "net talk." sorry to confuse you. jrdg= Jeff Rowland Design Group. (jeff had to change the name of his products/company several years ago becuz of a lawsuit or threat of one from the folks who make Rowland electonic keyboards.) IMHO="in my humble opinion." BTW="by the way." sorry, i didn't catch that you planned to bridge the accuphases (meaning simply that you use the output from left/right as a single channel, bridging the output posts in the manner recommended by the manufacturer); they'll give you enuf power (not as much as the jrdg) but listen to them a/b'd with at least another choice. BTW, for someone who doesn't claim to be an "audiophile," you're getting into the big leagues with the stuff you are considering.

hello piet. it's been awhile since i've listened to any of the avalon line on levison (the company/not the man) gear. in my experience with avalon products (i've own one variety or another since 1989), they just don't sound their best with levinson amps, which tend to be bright, dark and too forward. maybe madrigal has improved the line, tho i've not heard that with other speaks; e.g. watts/puppys, big thiels, jm labs, etc. BTW, there's a HUGE difference between the avalon avatars and eidolons. the latter are MUCH more revealing of faults in the electronics/frontend(s). you can get by with substantially less power & refinement with the avatars. as to the 220 outlets: as far as i know, this is applicable only to the boulder amps, which are user- switchable from 110 to 220. most other amps are available only as "american," "european," or "asian" models that are factory-set to the electrical standards where they are sold or to be used. when the boulders are run into 220 outlets, they will not clip at any listenable spl. the "smaller" (read $36k or >) boulder amps will clip with relatively inefficient (<85 db; nominal 4 ohms or<) speaks driven @ "live rock" levels (my cuppa tea). but hey, if you got game to go $(USD) 100k or more, JUST FOR THE ELECTRONICS IN A TOP-OF-THE-LINE BOULDER STACK, then you can surely spring for another 220 outlet and matching wiring; if not, you're gonna need to put a differently-configured outlet into the box where ya usta plugin the clothes dryer.