Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Opps = here's the link http://www.thetubestore.com/

Rinpoche,. 

Here's the link to the TubeStore (in Canada) so you can get a general idea of what it costs to replace the tube types (e.g. KT88) in amps. There's other sourcing options and brands (particuarly NOS - new old stock vs current production) aside form what TS offers, but thought since you stated that you are new to tubes it would give you something to look at if interested. Good luck with your decision; and happy  listening

rinpoche, I'm with Charles, maintain the course you have set and I'm sure you will make a choice that you will find very musically satisfying with your Wilsons. In the end it is what sounds right to you.

Amen - enjoy the music!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pieces of a Dream - I Feel Like Singing (smooth jazz) Female vocal and instruments
Beach Boys - In My Room (for male vocals)
Eric Clapton (26 nights) Edge of Darkness (tune he plays with orchestra)
Anita Baker - No One in the World - female vocals

rinpoche,

" At the moment, I have Crystal Cables but they might not be enough for the JR or VAC? They are not crazy expensive in the scheme of what is out there, but they were crazy expensive to me (used). However, I might have to change? "

If it were me I'd get settled on the equipment first, get it into my system  using my current cables, allow sufficient time for the equipment to break in while I listen along the way and determine my satisfaction. I'd hold off on injecting an additional variable at this time; but just my 2 cents

rinpoche

For clarity, the Crystal Cables you have then are speaker cables? What interconnects did the dealer use when you auditioned the JRs?

rinpoche,

Was curious if you knew which ICs were used during your audition from the vantage point of if you liked the sound it might be a consideration for you without others' preference bias (including mine).  Just a thought. 

rinpoche;

For what it is worth, I have Silnote IC & digitals in all 3 of my systems - Morpheous in my headphone system, Posiedon in my 2nd system, Posiedon & Orion in my main system. Musical to my ears in all cases, may or may not be for you but a possible consideration. Good luck with the rest of your search

rinpoche

There is nothing that necessarily requires your changing your speaker cables down the road aside from if you don't like the sound with your new equipment. If I interpreted an earlier post correctly it seems like you auditioned the equipment under consideration at American Sounds; if so then you either also auditioned, Kimber , Audioquest ,Transparent, or Ansuz , those are the cables the website indciates it carries. Would suggest again that you consider asking the dealer what he had hooked up with the equipment you listened to. 

rinpoche,  enjoy your musical experience and aesthetic with your Rowlands; I am sitting hear enjoying music with my Modwright gear

I might well be wrong but I think Guido was trying too impart that based upon his experience  rinpoche might be happy just using the Aeris DAC to drive the 625 versus inserting one of the preamps he mentioned

rinpoche,

If at the moment you want to minimize the outlay of cash but still get a capable cd transport to use now, a consideration might be a Cambridge CXC, or maybe an Oppo player;  can always upgrade to a PS Audio Perfectwave Transport or the like when it makes sense to you to do so. In the meantime you'd get to use your cd collection. 

Think rinpoche has wanted to audition anything she is/has considered;  how would she be able to do this with the Gryphon given what you stated? 

There's some Gryphon equipment for sale here; don't want to speak for rinpoche but the prices are even higher than Lamm which seemed problematic

Hmmm. Inna didn't you suggest that rinpoche explore Lamm and Gryphon with her speakers? Now you're suggesting that the Rowland might outclass her speakers. Help me understand why you recommended those and not something a step down from the  Rowland given your comment above; I'm not quite tracking - txs

rinpoche what length cable do you need?

rinpoche,  if you need 1 meter length and want to buy yourself time to look around and decide upon what you really want without having to rush into a purchase I have an extra pair of unused balanced Silnote Audio Morpheous ICs that you can have and be yours to keep at no cost to you. If you're interested in my offer send me a message as I'd be happy to help you out; if not no problem. 

For whatever it's worth , since brands are being tossed about I'll recommend a non-mainstream brand to possiblly consider - Silnote Audio (can check Agon listings for some); haven't found them to be equipment brand partial with any equipment in either of my 3 systems.  

rinpoche you can send me a message through Audiogon email and then I can give you direct contact information

rinpoche,

The only thing I can say regarding your question above as to whether or not the 2 AQ cables are real or fake is that both members have good buyer feedback so one likely can expect that they are trustworthy.

Also, to your point, it is your ears and your budget and therefore your decision , not that of someone else that offered "direction"

Jon - what's so puzzling?
rinpoche indicated earlier  that she purchased the amps and that they were dealer demos.
What difference does it make how she got the dac and speakers - she's had them and said she likes them
She already said that she wasn't in a position to rearrange her room; a lot of us have to live with constraints on maximizing listening experience 
She said that she had been offered a cable to trade the Devialet for , apparently it works   
Throughout the thread rinpoche has said she was considering a preamp  but was looking for opinions on whether to stay with DAC or insert one. She  indicated she probably wait a year on the preamp. People are entitled to change their minds if they think they see value, does she need someone else's permission?

Inna , time to give the male female nonesense a break . 

inna " Time for you to stay quiet, facten."

I don't think so!