Jeff Rowland to what?

sfall,

It looks like your comparing older Jeff Rowland amps to newer Ayre amps. I respect everyone's opinion, so if to your ears the Ayre makes the Rowland amps sound broke, that's fine.
I've been doing the audiophile thing for over 20 years. I've listened to Ayre several times driving Wilson Audio Sasha 1s and Rockport Aviors. Let just say, I'll keep my current Rowland 625 S2 over any Ayre that I heard, which includes their mono-amps.
I've never been about price being an indication of better, but more about what my ears prefer in a given price range. 

4425

I just read my post. That last bit was a general comment. It kind of looks like it was directed towards you, but its not.

" I truly don't think you'll exceed the the Rowland unless maybe an Agostino S250 would offer something you might prefer. Beyond that you'll need to look towards some of the European boutique brands at great expense. Jeff personally is involved with each single unit built which is to the highest standard I'm aware of with respect to US audio companies. "

I like Rowland too, but when I compare my Rowland amp next to just 1 of my Ayre V-5's, the Rowland sounds defective. You certainly don't have to buy an extremely high price, state if the art type of amp to best it.

Knowledge almost always wins over price. The more you know, the less you have to spend.

French_fries,

I'm okay and appreciate your contribution to the discussion. The Von Schweikert VR-55 are some of the best speakers that I've heard and I would buy them if I had the money.
I'll be honest, after talking to a very good friend/dealer that has access to many different components I decided that it's best to keep my amplifier and preamp.
Give my suggestions regarding source components and cables. My current cables are Wireworld Platinum Interconnect and Power cables. My speaker cables are Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7. My current source is a Bryston BDP2 with my Jeff Rowland Aeris DAC. Prior to the Aeris, I had an PS Audio Directstream and Bricasti M1 DAC. I prefer the Aeris. I'm open to suggestions.

Hello ricred1,  I didn't want to imply that your speakers are inferior in some way- I have never heard them.  But one example i can offer is the day i heard Wilson MAXX
speakers and then after those the Alexandria's at a local store.  The upgrade was like
an entirely different way of experiencing the music.  Both speakers cost
a huge amount of money, but I couldn't even consider buying the MAXX's after hearing their flagship model.  In my own home i upgraded
from B&W-801s3 to Eggleston Andra's (and then to Andra-II's)- really no words can describe the improvement or the enjoyment i got from listening for hours on end.  I gave up the Egg's for Von Schweikert speakers and gained much more midrange clarity.  
    So i took a different path from you, and since there are no Monitor Audio dealers around town the issue never came up. I am also a huge fan of Sonus Faber's (a friend has a pair of Extrema's which sound out of this world).  
      You could improve your source components and/or your cables as well, but looking for a "better" amplifier than Rowland is IMO is going to be difficult. Plus you have the Corus preamp as well, so as one dealer told me when i purchased a Rowland Consonance w/phono a number of years ago, "you're done"- i.e.- go improve some other piece of gear.
Even today, that is one hell of a great preamp.

nevillekapadia,

Thanks for your response. You may be correct, but sometimes it takes listening to other components to have an appreciation for what you already own.

I truly don't think you'll exceed the the Rowland unless maybe an Agostino S250 would offer something you might prefer. Beyond that you'll need to look towards some of the European boutique brands at great expense. Jeff personally is involved with each single unit built which is to the highest standard I'm aware of with respect to US audio companies. You have the best current thinking of an audio icon. I would never let that piece go for anything less than Agostino or higher(if possible). You're in thin air already. Congrats on what you have now.
FWIW I don't own JRDG products or have any motive here other than to provide an opinion. I did own a 625 and regret selling it. 

I think you are wasting your time if you are looking for something better.
Different yes, but not probably not much better than Jeff's S2 series. Unless you go to mega bucks amplifiers like the Big Dartzeels or Gryphons.

" sfall,
I love the Rowland sound. I’m just curious if there is something out there that will improve on what I have. Yes, I like a non-fatiguing, laid back sound that still provides detail. "

BAT or CJ

pdreher,

I had Audio Research years ago. The reason I'm staying away from tubes is because my amplifier is dual purpose. I use it for my 2-channel and to drive my fronts in my 5.1 surround sound system when watching television and movies. I don't think it's practical to use a tube amplifier.

If you haven't tried a good tube amp, do yourself a favor and change course.   VAC Phi 200 monoblocks can be had used for around $10 to $11K.  Also available now is a VAC Phi 300.1 for $8,900.

randy-11,

I honestly appreciate suggestions, but I submit they’re more valid when the individual is familiar with the component they’re suggesting you replace. I post questions in hopes I receive suggestions that I haven’t thought of. If french_fries, has heard the Monitor Audio PL500 IIs and doesn't think they are Very good, I respect his opinion. If he hasn't and is just saying something negative for the sake of it, he doing everyone following this post a disservice. I understand everyone has their preferences; therefore I take every suggestion with a grain of salt.

french fries has your frites

get better speakers (esp. if the ones you have now cost less than 10k)

I have been very satisfied with a pair of Herron Audio M1 amps.  I'm pretty much focused on sound rather than artistic cases or how much an amp costs and the Herron equipment never disappoints.  Without any consideration for cost, the Herron M1s would be on a very short list.

I've owned Wilson's, Aerial, Devore, Revel, and a couple more. Prior to purchasing the PL500 II's,  I listened to Rockport Aviors, Raidho, Dynaudio, and Magico S5s. To "my ears", the aforementioned speakers can't touch the PL500 II's. What speakers do you recommend I listen to?

I personally don't feel that you can improve on a new current-production JRDG amplifier for under $20K.  If you get a tube amp or a tube-hybrid amp you "might" get a result you like better, but for pure SS i don't see much real improvement in the way of refined sound or build quality.  
      If you want a significant improvement in most areas it's time for
a VERY good pair of speakers.  A 20x26 room (damped? undamped?)
is really quite a lot of space to deal with as well.
     I am a snob when it comes to evaluating listening material- classical music is SO much better recorded on average than anything else IMO
(acoustic folk and female vocals usually qualify as well). So,
IF your stereo system sounds good on Beethoven then count your blessings.  If your preference goes to pop music, "cool jazz", hard rock, etc. then fussy components like Rowland tend to sound a little "off".  In my book that's an acceptable trade-off.  

I have the Rowland M312 driving Avalon Indra's w/synergy lli pre amp. I have auditioned in my home the Pass XA100.5's, Bryston 7BSST and Arye MX-R monoblocks. They all are superb amps. There is something special with the M312/Indra combo. The Indra's need a lot of current and perhaps that is why I preferred them over the others. Also do like the fact they run cool and are energy efficient. The Pass amps were small heaters. lol.

jmcgrogan2,
I submit I need as much power as the 625 S2, because my room is 20’ x 26’. I hesitate with Pass because they get so hot and I live in San Antinio, TX. I use my Rowland in my surround sound to drive my front speakers and I don’t want a heater.

sfall,
I love the Rowland sound. I’m just curious if there is something out there that will improve on what I have. Yes, I like a non-fatiguing, laid back sound that still provides detail.

If you like the Rowland sound, Pass, BAT or CJ would be good choices. Ayre is a good choice as well, but it sounds different than what you now have. You have to listen to it first. I used to have both the Rowland 12's and 112, and now use 2 Ayre V-5's. Ayre has the best imaging out of any solid state amp I've ever heard. Rowland usually struggles in this area. Dynamic contrast and timing are also the best I've heard from SS. One advantage Rowland has it that its more forgiving. If you like a really laid back sound, you may want to keep your current amp.

stringreen,

You went from what Rowland components to what Ayre components? 

I have always have had success with the amp and preamp from the same designer/manufacturer.   I went from the Rowland to Ayre.