Thanks for the responses so far.....I am leaning towards going all solid state at this time because of my living situation with fiancee and the use of the amp with my wide screen tv.
As for the batvk51se and rowland combo its very smooth and the midrange is great. I have not had the opportunity to try out any other preamps with the rowland 302. I had tried the BAT with the Krell 400cx and prefer the rowland to it (but not by a country mile).
I was thinking perhaps the Halcro DM 58 but even used its pricier than the Rowland and with less power to boot. I wonder if the Halcro crowd like to rock or is it for a more genteel populace.
Michael
As for the batvk51se and rowland combo its very smooth and the midrange is great. I have not had the opportunity to try out any other preamps with the rowland 302. I had tried the BAT with the Krell 400cx and prefer the rowland to it (but not by a country mile).
I was thinking perhaps the Halcro DM 58 but even used its pricier than the Rowland and with less power to boot. I wonder if the Halcro crowd like to rock or is it for a more genteel populace.
Michael