It's a serious hunk of aluminum! Chock full of little goodies.

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MC402, AudioResearch LS26, Magnepan MG3.7R, PS AudioDLIII, ACI Force XL, Transparent, Wireworld, Tara

The KX-R Variable Gain Transconductance (VGT) volume control was covered well in stereophile. http://www.stereophile.com/solidprea...yre/index.html

The volume control is actually very cool. When you push the remote, the numbers scroll up and down instead of just changing. Sort of like the gas pumps of olden days. There is an audible thump as well which is cool as the numbers change. That is that wheel you see in the previous pics in action.

The display itself is a costly non-multiplexed type which means it is always on and dots don't change which means no noise.

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

Serge,

Thank you for this wonderful review !! it is always very instructive to read your posts . That's the kind of posts that makes us to progress.
You really gave me the will to listen to that AYRE KXR preamp !!!

Jérôme

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Jérôme

They have convinced themselves that man, the worst transgressor of all the species, is the crown of creation. All other creatures were created merely to provide him with food, pelts, to be tormented, exterminated. In relation to them, all people are Nazis; for the animals, it is an eternal Treblinka. Isaac Bashevis Singer

Nice Job Serge,

I was expecting you to pick the Ayre. You tipped your hand when you put the C500 up for sale; it was then down to the Lamm and Ayre. You were very impressed with the Ayre build quality, the solid sound even the volume control made when you clicked the remote like it was talking to you. Lastly I could not see you having to get up in the dark to adjust the volume on the Lamm. Congrats on your decision. Are you still going to add a turntable. I rediscovered 5 albums this afternoon I have not listened to in 20 years. It was like finding a time capsule and they still sound good. Enjoy your new system. David

Thanks David. The Ayre brought out the best out of my Lamm monoblocks. The C500 was really great with the 501s by the way. The Ayre did not show as much improvement with the 501s over the C500. It's that synergy thing again. So I figured the C500 may as well make someone else happy who has McIntosh amps.

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

Serge......very nice review and thanks for the nice pics

Serge,
A throrough, informative analysis I really enjoyed. After struggling with my own recent preamp review, I appreciate your expanded audio vocabulary with it's many descriptors! Since you are so dedicated to "the quest", do you really think you will ever be able to stop awhile and enjoy the music? Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.

Thanks Ted. Yes, enjoying the music is still the priority and the main goal behind all these comparisons. I was able to take a break and enjoy music for 3 years I've spent with McIntosh and other than adding a few select components and subs, my system evolved to enhance the listening pleasure. I felt I could still advance my system further and with the addition of Lamm monoblocks, I felt I needed to explore some other components up and down the chain for even better synergy. Once the dust settles, I am hoping to simply enjoy music for some time again without the gear changing.

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen

You are fortunate to live in an area where you have access to Lamm and other interesting audio options. You are aware of how far I am having to travel just to hear a Mac tube - Delaware, and if it wasn't for you, I would have to go to Conn. to hear a Lamm! Ted.

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Main - MC501s, C500t (Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes), MCD500, MS750, MEN220, B&W N802, PS Audio PPP & Duet, Wireworld PC's, Audioquest Colorado, Jaguar IC's & Rockefeller SC's, Symposium Tungsten Rollerblocks, Cable Isolators.
Fam Room - Pioneer Pro FHD1, Denon 2808ci, DVD1800BD, B&W CMC, CM1, CCM817, ASW610XP, WM2.
Rec Room - Pioneer 5080HD, Denon 2808ci, Toshiba HDXA3, Oppo DV981, Thorens TD126, B&W M803S2, CMC, M805, M804, ASW610XP, Thompson Vocal Eliminator.

Road trips are fun.

__________________
System 7.1:
Wilson Sasha/Mezzo/Watch surrounds
D'Agostino Momentum x3 amps
Bryston 4B SST2 x2 amps
Krell S1200U pre/pro
Oppo Blu
Sony Blu changer
McIntosh MS300 music server
EAR/Yoshino Acute III tubed CDP
Transparent Ultra cabling
JL Audio F212 Sub
Lumagen video processor
JVC RS-35U projector
Stewart Screen