My KX-R is settling in nicely. I've been running it for 3 weeks and was impressed with its sound from the first moment I turned it on. I appreciate all the good advice and truly believe my preamp quest is over.

I am not as well versed with audio reviews as Serge. But I believe he knows, appreciates, understands and can convey the subtle differences is audio electronics. I am happy to report he was spot on, pointing me towards the KX-R specifically and Ayre in general. There is something correct or "right" about the music. Whether the volume is low or high everything is clear, three dimensional and deep. It makes me want to listen more. My stereo is still in transition and I only see it getting better. I can't wait to scrape up enough pennies for the MX-R's and better cables. Aaaaahhhhhh! life is good.

In the meantime, my Spectrons sound better with the KX-R and are still breaking in. I know class D gets a bad wrap, but I think there is something different about the Spectron Musician III mk2 monoblocks vs other class D. However that's a story for another day and thread. Thanks for indulging me.

Joe

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Joe

Speakers: TAD CR-1's , Klipsch Cornwall III's, JBL 4312D. Amps: Conrad-Johnson MV-60, Burmester 911 MK3. Preamps: Burmester 099 dac/preamp, Burmester 077 w/ external power supply and 035. Electronics: Metric Halo LIO-8, SCD-XA5400ES, Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII Dac, Sony SCD-333ES, Audio Logic 24mxl DAC, Apple Mac Pro w/ Lynx Studio AES16e, Mac Mini, Amarra and Pure Vinyl. PurePower 2000AC regenerator. JL Audio F113x2

I know someone who replaced his big Pass amps with the Spectron's for his MBL speakers. He was very, very happy. I wouldn't be in too big a hurry to jump to the MX-R's.
Jim

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AMP's: D'Agostino Momentum's
Pre Amp: Mcintosh C-1000 & C-1000P
Sources: McIntosh MCD-1100 & MS-300, Olive 4HD, SonoS, Pro-Ject 6 PerspeX
Speakers: MBL 111F
Cables: Transparent Ultra MM2 & Reference MM2 & Powerlink MM2x

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the input. Looking at my post again, I think new cables (Transparent Audio) and a new dac (Metric Halo LIO-8) are next. I'm learning not to make too many changes at once and to listen and get used to my system before a major jump.

I had a Pass XA30.5 and XP-10 and thought they were good until I heard my current equipment.

I think my current combo is really, really good. I want/need to get away from tubes because I run the music 6-10 hrs/day.

I find everyone on this site a great resource.

Joe

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Joe

Speakers: TAD CR-1's , Klipsch Cornwall III's, JBL 4312D. Amps: Conrad-Johnson MV-60, Burmester 911 MK3. Preamps: Burmester 099 dac/preamp, Burmester 077 w/ external power supply and 035. Electronics: Metric Halo LIO-8, SCD-XA5400ES, Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII Dac, Sony SCD-333ES, Audio Logic 24mxl DAC, Apple Mac Pro w/ Lynx Studio AES16e, Mac Mini, Amarra and Pure Vinyl. PurePower 2000AC regenerator. JL Audio F113x2

Joe
That sounds like a good plan. If you get a chance to hear the new Esoteric D-07 I think it sounds really good. I am vacillating back and forth on the unit myself. As far as cables go there are too many good ones out there. Pick one you like and go with that firms technology for your whole loom.
Jim

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AMP's: D'Agostino Momentum's
Pre Amp: Mcintosh C-1000 & C-1000P
Sources: McIntosh MCD-1100 & MS-300, Olive 4HD, SonoS, Pro-Ject 6 PerspeX
Speakers: MBL 111F
Cables: Transparent Ultra MM2 & Reference MM2 & Powerlink MM2x

Joe.......The Ayre MX-R amplifiers, and the KX-R preamplifier captured my interest last year, and I am still very impressed with both, and may eventually own the combination. It is good to hear you are pleased with your new Ayre KX-R preamp.

Do us all a favor, post a few photos.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

Please don't make me clean my room

It will take me a while straighten up, but I promise to put some picture up soon.

Joe

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Joe

Speakers: TAD CR-1's , Klipsch Cornwall III's, JBL 4312D. Amps: Conrad-Johnson MV-60, Burmester 911 MK3. Preamps: Burmester 099 dac/preamp, Burmester 077 w/ external power supply and 035. Electronics: Metric Halo LIO-8, SCD-XA5400ES, Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII Dac, Sony SCD-333ES, Audio Logic 24mxl DAC, Apple Mac Pro w/ Lynx Studio AES16e, Mac Mini, Amarra and Pure Vinyl. PurePower 2000AC regenerator. JL Audio F113x2

C5xeMP/KX-R/MX-R/Transparent/Wilson Sasha... Mmmmmm. One of my all time favorite, synergistic combos. Organic, natural, musical presentation that pulls you into music very deep.

I had a listen in Singapore yesterday to an all Ayre system. Ayre CD, KRX, MX-R's, MIT Oracle cables and Avalon Time speakers.

The first thing I noticed ( as the sales guy was playing the normal quiet shit female jazz vocals) was the whole number scroll, instead of just the last digit. The whirring sound of the volume changing - it sounded like spinning a chocolate wheel when I changed volume fast. Quite loud as well.

Makes my cj ART3 volume clicks of the physical switches sound quiet :-)

cheers

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Turntables: Pioneer Exclusive P3, TW Acustik AC-3 / Graham Phantom, Linn LP12/ Naim ARO Phono: TW Acustik, Pioneer H-Z1, Luxman E-06, Leben & Ortofon Verto stepup, Cartridges: Lyra ATLAS, Dynavector XV-1s, SPU Royal & Classic E, Ortofon A90, Linn Troika, Technics EPC100Cmk4, Koetsu Rosewood, 2 x ebony denon 103r's amps: cj GAT, cj prem8a with teflon caps,speaker: Wilson Maxx 3

Ahh Singapore, one of my favorite cities. Great hi-end scene.

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AMP's: D'Agostino Momentum's
Pre Amp: Mcintosh C-1000 & C-1000P
Sources: McIntosh MCD-1100 & MS-300, Olive 4HD, SonoS, Pro-Ject 6 PerspeX
Speakers: MBL 111F
Cables: Transparent Ultra MM2 & Reference MM2 & Powerlink MM2x

It's the unique design of the volume control, very cool stuff. I loved that thumping sound when changing volume.