which vandersteens? i'm auditioning the cronus magnum/vandersteen 2ce sig II combo this week. i hadn't really considered the ekco, but was considering the eastern electric m88. my main problem, though, is my need to audition it to make sure i like it before i buy it. my speakers are in a fairly large room, so i have concerns that i may need more watts than the ekco or EE offer for driving the vandersteen 2's. and i'm looking to reduce my box count and like that the rogue had a phonostage and headphone amp built in. if it's your first exploration into tubes, you might want to buy something with local dealer support and the ability to audition it first. i am a tube newb, and find myself feeling that way. there's no substitute for hearing something yourself. for what it's worth, it did seem telling that the fellow who reviewed the ekco for stereomojo, the fellow who makes vapor audio speakers, bought it. if you have the vandersteen 1c's, i would imagine you'd have no problems driving them even in triode mode.
