Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

rinpoche,
Your say you aren't an audiophile but you love listening to music,  I'd strongly advise you to keep that perspective and mindset. Just approach choosing audio gear as a means to enjoying music.  This keeps it simple and honest. Choose the products that move you the most emotionally. Don't worry at all about product bashing, it is just personal opinion and nothing else.  Trust your ears and taste, there are no audio  products that generate 100% consensus ever! 

Tube preamp with SS amplifier is a popular choice and can be terrific but it isn't the same as a tube power amplifier. I'm not saying one is inherently better than the other,  just that they aren't the same listening experience. As you listen to more components and speakers you'll find out what you are drawn to. I believe that you'll be fine. 
Charles, 

You are the best!

Also, waiting to hear some suggestions for amp/pre-amp pairings? If this is a viable alternative to the VAC integrated + DAC and the Rowland DAC and 625 in the same price range. 

Rinpoche, to a some extent price is not an indicator of quality.  Both the VAC and the Rowlands are truly premium quality products that charge premium prices.  I'm not going to argue that you could match or exceed their sound quality at a substantially lower price, but I do argue that you can achieve the sound qualities you desire at a lower price.  You would have to do a side by side comparison to uncover the "lesser" components and fortunately long term happiness doesn't involve side by side comparisons.

Specifically, both Rowland and Ayre make integrated solid state amps in the $10k area.  Pass, Hegel and BAT make solid state power amps in the $5-8k range.  RAM makes a wonderful tube power amp at $5k.  Grace, Mytek, Esoteric (Teac), MSB and Bricasti make great quality DACs that can all be used as preamps at a lower cost than the Rowland.

These are my opinions, so take them for what they are.  From you post it sounds like you have good ears -- ultimately you should trust them.

That is excellent. The recommendations are all very good. I will try to see if we have dealers in the area that carry those brands. I did listen to the Rowland integrated and it didn't have the same beauty as the 625 (which really does compete with the VAC -- except minus that little tube magic I have been referring to). I have heard very good things about the Hegel and some of the other DACS you mentioned. Great idea. Thanks!