KX-R vs 380S

[BillK]

I know a few have owned both pieces - has anyone compared the KX-R to the classic Levinson No. 380S preamp?

I'm in a rather ironic situation in that though I live about ten minutes away from Ayre, they currently have no Colorado dealers (!), so I can't easily demo one…

[enatai252]

I had the 380S paired with the CJ Premier 12s awhile ago. Its a good preamp and was one of the first to design a great volume control by adding gain in 6db increments and only putting one resistor in the signal path at a time. But it will sound darker and be less transparent than the Ayre. The Ayre is a beast and has an awesome volume control. No contest. That doesn't mean the 380s is bad...just not in same league. The last of the good ML gear was the 32...which would get you closer to the Ayre...but is still a little dark for my tastes. The Rowland Corus is also a good option...it was the closest SS preamp to the Ayre.

[BillK]

Thanks… I've had the opportunity to audition the ML No. 326S and found it to sound noticeably "rolled off" in comparison to my No. 380S, not what I was expecting at all. I'm still not convinced the sample I had wasn't defective, but the dealer claimed it was performing normally, so I'm not sure where to go from there. I compared the No. 326S in-store to other preamps and the only preamp they had that improved on the sound of my 380S at the time was a Boulder 810 or 1010, neither of which has as many inputs as I need, ignoring their stratospheric price point for the moment.

I got to play with a KX-R once but never really had the chance to listen to one at length.

I also recently demoed a Audio Research LS17 but wasn't favorably impressed, the demo unit I auditioned having a noticeable balance shift that threw the image off to one side.

[enatai252]

I don't have any experience with the 326...I lost faith in the new ML products after the purchase by Harman.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by PartTimeJedi

I used ML 390s (CD Pre) for about a year with ML 436s plus have heard ML hi-end systems. I now own the KXR for the last year, without a doubt the best product they make to my ears, I used to have the the MXRs but now sold those, it was clear to me the KXR was way and above the ML with more openness, transparency and tangible palatability. I am using it with the Bryston 28s now as I needed more power.

How do you like the 28bsst-2? Are they broken in yet?

Joe

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by PartTimeJedi

Truth is not really had any time at all to spend with the combo, will definitively post in about 2 weeks.

I'm looking forward to reading your impressions. From all accounts, they are superb performers and nothing like the older series. These are supposed to be more tube-like and on the warmer side of neutral.

[AudioNut]

I used to own a a bunch of Mark Levinson stuff - including a 380s, which I replaced with the NO. 32 preamp pictured below. (and which was an improvement)

Ultimately I replaced all the Levinson components with Spectral - and the improvement was dramatic in about every area I know how to describe.

A picture of my last "batch" of Levinson is attached.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by PartTimeJedi

Definitely will post, I was a so so guy on the Brystons to be open, they used to remind me of Linn sound then I heard them with the BB5XBD PMC and the MB2XBDi and I was completely blown away, very smooth, very dynamic, very open, not a hint of over analyticalness, I did a double take, it was like listening to my old MC275 x 2, KT88 monos with kahunas.

My MXRs were absolutely brilliant but they to my ears just were always trying to catch their breath handling 4ohm or lower.

That's the reaction I've been reading a lot on the new Brystons. I am very happy to hear another positive reaction to them. Enjoy the ride and take us along!

[matthias.menz]

Originally Posted by PartTimeJedi

My MXRs were absolutely brilliant but they to my ears were just always trying to catch their breath handling 4ohm or lower.

heya PartTime,

are you saying the Ayre Monos are not a good choice for a Martin Logan with their tough HF load? or is this based on using a different set of speakers?


regards
matthias

[matthias.menz]

ok thanks,

Im about to audition the summitX on the new VXR in a few weeks. Your experience is more related to the bass load if I understand it correctly rather than the HF impedance of like under one ohm?

cheers
matthias