Hantra: I liked the ML 383 best. It could drive any speaker on earth with that massive power supply. Great combination of liquid midrange, extension on both ends, above average sense of air, great snap (maybe best I've geard) on the bottom. The Plinius had less control on the bottom.
The BAT, well, I'm partial to all things BAT. Best midrange of the three, accurate on top but without the presence of the ML. Solid at the bottom, but not as solid as the ML. The Plinius was 93-94% of the BAT, and 90-91% of the Levinson. But given the money saved with the Plinius, it's a no brainer if money is an issue.
Both the BAT and the ML saw into the music deeper, with more detail and front to back imaging. Musically the Plinius was a dead heat with both, if not slightly better.
Michael: Man, I wanted to hear a Jeff Rowland, but to no avail. I've read nothing but great stuff. But a budget buster? No way. An integrated in inherently cheaper than separates, and because there's too many separate snobs out there used prices are excellent. If you're lucky you can pick up a used one for 3 grand in mint condition with low hours, although 3500-3800 is more likely. For a do it all amp, that's 15 years of first class operation. But the Rowland does bug me a little. Isn't the Jeff about the same price?
