MX-R 20 incoming!

[BillK]

Originally Posted by dminches

Any sense for what is a more significant "twenty" upgrade, the MX-R or the KX-R?

I can't say for the MX-R, but it took about thirty seconds for me to nail down the massive improvement it made on the KX-R.

I had never thought the KX-R was at all brittle or fatiguing... until I heard the KX-R Twenty, which eliminated those issues completely.

[BillK]

Listening to a loaned pair of MX-R Twenty amps and after about half a day they seem to have stabilized at about 119.5ºF each; does that match what most other users see?

I was a bit surprised they were that toasty, but my speakers are a nominal 6 ohms, dipping to 4.

[Audio Lee]

Yes, when they are being used, it is hot to the touch, not blistering hot but uncomfortable to hold on to. Sorry, I don't have a thermometer......

(Audio)

[BillK]

Originally Posted by Audio Lee

Yes, when they are being used, it is hot to the touch, not blistering hot but uncomfortable to hold on to. Sorry, I don't have a thermometer...

That's enough of an answer for me; thanks!

Update: Now that I've had a chance to let these cook for about 48 hours (they are not new, but rather demo units) I have to say these amps are hands down incredible. My soundstage has become much larger, both in width and depth. I had always heard rumors that Ayre amps were light on the bass, but I certainly haven't noticed anything, and the treble is detailed with high resolution but never harsh or tiring.

More than once during my audition I had to double check to make sure I hadn't inadvertently left the home theatre subwoofer engaged, such was the bass control and depth of these amps.

I've had a chance to demo the Simaudio Moon 870, and while that amplifier definitely improved the sound quality of my system, IMHO it was nothing compared to the difference the MX-R Twenties made.

I don't know if I am going to upgrade, and if I do just because of the way my system is laid out I would likely go for a VX-R Twenty rather than a pair of the MX-R Twenties, but I am very truly impressed.

The only thing I've heard close is the Pass Labs .5 amps, and those are a little more tube-like in character, warmer with an ever so slightly rolled off high end, and of course the power draw of them plus the cost of associated cooling of your listening room makes the price difference between they and the Ayre almost negligible.

Finally, I honestly think the KX-R Twenty and the MX-R Twenty amps are incredibly synergistic together; the zero feedback pre and amp stages seem to compliment each other to bring out something truly spectacular beyond what I suspect either component alone would achieve.

[gaboudreaux]

Originally Posted by BillK

That's enough of an answer for me; thanks!

Update: Now that I've had a chance to let these cook for about 48 hours (they are not new, but rather demo units) I have to say these amps are hands down incredible. My soundstage has become much larger, both in width and depth. I had always heard rumors that Ayre amps were light on the bass, but I certainly haven't noticed anything, and the treble is detailed with high resolution but never harsh or tiring.

More than once during my audition I had to double check to make sure I hadn't inadvertently left the home theatre subwoofer engaged, such was the bass control and depth of these amps.

I've had a chance to demo the Simaudio Moon 870, and while that amplifier definitely improved the sound quality of my system, IMHO it was nothing compared to the difference the MX-R Twenties made.

I don't know if I am going to upgrade, and if I do just because of the way my system is laid out I would likely go for a VX-R Twenty rather than a pair of the MX-R Twenties, but I am very truly impressed.

The only thing I've heard close is the Pass Labs .5 amps, and those are a little more tube-like in character, warmer with an ever so slightly rolled off high end, and of course the power draw of them plus the cost of associated cooling of your listening room makes the price difference between they and the Ayre almost negligible.

Finally, I honestly think the KX-R Twenty and the MX-R Twenty amps are incredibly synergistic together; the zero feedback pre and amp stages seem to compliment each other to bring out something truly spectacular beyond what I suspect either component alone would achieve.

Good to hear! I'm thinking of pulling the trigger as well on both KX-R/MX-R Twenty in the next week or so. Wish I could hear them first. My KX-5/VX-5 sounds fantastic, so I can only imagine how well this reference combo will sound.

[BillK]

I mentioned elsewhere that the KX-R Twenty is mind boggling as it is the only preamp I have ever had in my system that actually sounds better than my Wadia S7i run directly to my amp. That's "never" supposed to happen, but the KX-R Twenty does it.

The best thing about the MX-R Twenties is their sound… and the lack of it. By that I mean when a song ends the silence is complete blackness - no hiss, no hum, either from the amp or mechanically from the transformers. It sounds like you've powered off your system between tracks.

[jax4736]

Originally Posted by BillK

I mentioned elsewhere that the KX-R Twenty is mind boggling as it is the only preamp I have ever had in my system that actually sounds better than my Wadia S7i run directly to my amp. That's "never" supposed to happen, but the KX-R Twenty does it. The best thing about the MX-R Twenties is their sound… and the lack of it. By that I mean when a song ends the silence is complete blackness - no hiss, no hum, either from the amp or mechanically from the transformers. It sounds like you've powered off your system between tracks.

As a owner of both KXR20 and MXR20, I totally agree with this statement. The backgrounds are velvet black with the MXR20's. And I love love love the KXR20 preamp, I have a dCS full stack. And should try having my DAC drive the power amplifier, so I can compare what the KXR20 brings to the table....most owners of the dCS still prefer an analog preamp in their system, based on my Internet research.