|
Ayre A new dimension of musical enjoyment |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Apparently, Ayre makes a $450 remote...
So, after one too many drops, my KX-R remote crapped out. I've always thought the remote was too big and too ugly and never looked liked a high end piece of kit, but because I'm a sucker for keeping everything original, I decided that rather than just using a harmony remote going forward, I would contact Ayre for a replacement.
I almost fell over when they quoted me a price of $450 saying that's their actual cost!?! I understand that small manufacturers have higher costs, but (1) if the remote costs $450 to make, something's wrong with your production costs and (2) if you're going to make a $450 remote, that ugly piece of crap is what got produced?!? |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Too funny but not that funny considering your at their mercy for a crappy replacement. So, what's plan B?
If you want to embarrass them further -- post a picture. Best sir, Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
__________________
Tim Amplifiers: McIntosh 1.2 Kw Preamp: Esoteric C03 Speakers: Salon2 with F113v2 x 2 Analog: VPI Avenger Reference with Ortofon A95 and Esoteric E03 phonostage Digital: Silenzio and Esoteric K03-x and G02 Power Management: PS Audio P10 x 2, P5 Cables: WW PE7 SC & IC, Furutech Flux-50 Filters Rack: HRS SXR Signature |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
So, this is apparently a $450 remote:
http://www.analogueseduction.net/use...0120823_08.jpg This is the alternative $160 QX-5 remote (looks very Levinson like) which apparently works with the KX-R: http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...aa57fbcdc6.jpg Outside of that, you get a programmable remote that has a KX-R profile like a harmony. |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
The QX-5 Remote is far better ergonomically than old KX-R...
Quote:
My dealer contacted Ayre and they sent him a brand new KX-R remote and said try them both and keep the one you want. I used them both for at least one month and by far preferred the new QX-5 type remote. One point to consider is I do not have an Ayre CD player or amplifier and I dislike having too many extra buttons on the remote. The reasons I liked it better were: Fit perfectly in my hand and the way the buttons were laid out were easier for me to adjust with one hand and my fingers fell perfectly into place to operate the main buttons used (volume). The volume buttons were not laid out in a good position on the KX-R remote making it awkward to use. The remote is smaller and lighter and easier to grip in your hand which is a plus as the KX-R is big, bulky and too heavy. The buttons on the QX-5 were far easier to push versus a touch button type of display on the KX-R. You had to use much more force on the touch pad type of buttons to operate. Also I like the tactile feeling on the QX-5 type that protrude up in the air making them easy to feel by touch even if you are not looking at the control. The quality of the QX-5 is quite good and has what appears to be a metal die cast type housing around the entire perimeter of the remote (On the inside of the metal housing is injection molded plastic). One additional benefit of the remote shape being rounded is if you dropped on the floor it will be less likely to damage the floor or your foot.. Finally a simpler battery (medical type) one versus replacing with multiple AA type. The only negative (if you want to be picky) is it was not back lite like the KX-R. I thought this was a cool feature however it was not necessary as the buttons are easily located without any need to back light the display. I returned the KX-R type and do not have one regret. I would go for the QX-5 and save yourself money. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Who would've thought a remote control topic would spawn a three-page thread?
__________________
|
#7
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
Best sir, Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
I feel a good remote is one of the keys to enjoyment of the product and while this has nothing to do with sound quality I am always adjusting sound levels and appreciate a very easy to use remote.
|
#9
|
||||
|
||||
Looks like a solid remote worth $425; but $450 is really over the top!
__________________
Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Same as the one for my C-5xeMP SACD/CD player. Chunky but I really don't like the battery connections too much.
|
|
|
Audio Aficionado Sponsors | |