Ayre KX-5 and VX-5 combo

[jax4736]

Same here, I own a C-5xeMP as well.

Charlie posted on page 75 of the DX-5 thread, and mentioned the KX-R 20th anniversary edition. Made it sound like they'd be available before the end of the year, but I've not heard anything to that effect so far...

[RLF]

Originally Posted by jax4736

Same here, I own a C-5xeMP as well. Charlie posted on page 75 of the DX-5 thread, and mentioned the KX-R 20th anniversary edition. Made it sound like they'd be available before the end of the year, but I've not heard anything to that effect so far...

Thanks.

[RLF]

Originally Posted by jax4736

I'm taking delivery (in two weeks) of the Ayre KX-5 and VX-5.

My VX-5 was ordered on 12-2-2013, but I haven't received it yet. How long after ordering your KX-5 and VX-5 did it take for you to receive them?

Thanks,

Bob

[gaboudreaux]

Bob, I received my KX-5 / VX-5 last Friday. It took about 3 - 4 weeks after order placed and that was over the holidays.

Glenn

[RLF]

Originally Posted by gaboudreaux

Bob, I received my KX-5 / VX-5 last Friday. It took about 3 - 4 weeks after order placed and that was over the holidays. Glenn

Thanks Glenn. I expect mine soon. I imagine that the Holidays slowed things up somewhat. I will check with my Ayre dealer in San Francisco tomorrow to see if they can find anything out on the status as they are closed today. I do not want to rush Ayre, but of course I am anxious to get my VX-5.

Are your KX-5 and VX-5 sounding better as they break-in?

Bob

[jax4736]

My pair took about 3-4 weeks once I placed the order. I am quite pleased with the upgrade, it gets so much closer to the KX-R/MX-R performance (of course, that bar is about to be raised astronomically, price and performance-wise, when Ayre releases the KX-R 20 and MX-R 20).

Although the VX-5 runs a bit hotter than the V-5xe, I really don't care. The sonic benefits are undeniable. It's probably the best I've heard from an Ayre amplifier. To my ears, the bass extends even deeper than the MX-R. The amplifier change sounded like a speaker upgrade too, the difference was so striking. This was even cold, right out of the box.

I am still going through many recordings but I am quite happy with this combo. I'm interested to see what it does when I get my Sasha II speakers (when they are released, that is).

I don't recall if they're showing the KX-5/VX-5 at CES 2014. I'm almost certain they're showing the KX-R20 and MX-R20, but I've not ready any blog/web postings yet about that.

[RLF]

Originally Posted by jax4736

It's probably the best I've heard from an Ayre amplifier. To my ears, the bass extends even deeper than the MX-R. The amplifier change sounded like a speaker upgrade too, the difference was so striking. This was even cold, right out of the box.

Thanks for the update. I'll post my impressions when I get my VX-5. I am presently breaking-in my new ARC Reference 5SE which will be mated with the VX-5. This combination sounded pretty darn good in my system when I auditioned the demo pair from my dealer.

[guitardave]

Originally Posted by RLF

Thanks for the update. I'll post my impressions when I get my VX-5. I am presently breaking-in my new ARC Reference 5SE which will be mated with the VX-5. This combination sounded pretty darn good in my system when I auditioned the demo pair from my dealer.

It is a great combo.
I have found the VX-5 takes about as long to really break in as the Ref5se, about 600 hrs. Of course it sounds fine prior to that, but it does keep getting better. One of the benefits to VX-5 break-in is that it sounds great much quicker upon switching from the stand-by to play functions. Prior to break-in it takes a bit to sound great, but after it seems to come on song pretty quickly. A welcome benefit of break-in.

[Kingsrule]

I found a bit over 500 hours was the magic point. After that the VX-5 stayed the same...outstanding!

[RLF]

Originally Posted by guitardave

It is a great combo.
I have found the VX-5 takes about as long to really break in as the Ref5se, about 600 hrs. Of course it sounds fine prior to that, but it does keep getting better. One of the benefits to VX-5 break-in is that it sounds great much quicker upon switching from the stand-by to play functions. Prior to break-in it takes a bit to sound great, but after it seems to come on song pretty quickly. A welcome benefit of break-in.

Originally Posted by g997

I found a bit over 500 hours was the magic point. After that the VX-5 stayed the same...outstanding!

Thanks for the info on the break-in periods.

Guitardave, I'm glad to hear that you like the combo of the Ref5 + VX-5 and that you think its a great combo. My thoughts as well when I auditioned the demo units together in my system.

My Reference 5SE has 51 hours of music playing on it now. I called my Ayre dealer today, but still no ETA on it despite ordering it and being billed for it 5 & 1/2 weeks ago. Hopefully I will get it soon.

Bob