Upgraded from Ayre K5xemp to Ayre KX-5 Twenty short review

[GregGale]

Originally Posted by ctsooner

Yes, what I was told and it seems to work, is that you turn up the volume as loud as you are able to and it will break in up to that volume. It's crazy and I wonder how many others are like this. I do know that mine gets better and better the longer I listen at hire volumes. I am loving my QX5/20 with it as thats' the only input I"m using now. I am going to sell my Rhea phono stage now that I sold my Basis TT, but the input is broken in also and is marked in blue tape on the back as the input to use if I ever need a second one, lol.

Turning up the KX-5 Twenty to a loud setting will not break in all the volume levels below that point. Each numerical volume display setting according to Alex Brinkman at Ayre, needs to be broken in individually.

Each time you change the volume setting you will hear the rotary control lock a resister into place, and there are 46 individual resisters (volume control goes up to 46 maximum).

If you want to break the unit in quicker than turn it to the setting you feel you will use most of the time and listen at that setting and that should help the unit break-in quicker.

[Bar81]

That's pretty dumb. You're designing things wrong when every volume level needs to be broken in. It's been a long while but I don't recall hearing a major difference between consecutive volume levels when my KX-R was new and after break in on (based on the above claims) only some volume levels.

[GregGale]

Originally Posted by Bar81

That's pretty dumb. You're designing things wrong when every volume level needs to be broken in. It's been a long while but I don't recall hearing a major difference between consecutive volume levels when my KX-R was new and after break in on (based on the above claims) only some volume levels.

I found it interesting, but if you believe that every component in the signal path needs to break in, including each individual resister that is in place, (one for each volume setting) than it makes sense.

Have I a noticed differences at each volume setting? No, but I tend to listen at the same selected volume settings most of the time, which means those resisters are breaking in quicker than unused resisters. Ayre also specifically states each input needs to be broken in separately to the tune of 100 to 500 hours.

Of course some people believe the whole break-in theory is nonsense, as it is your ears adjusting the sound.

I am in the camp, at least with most electronics that process low level signals like a pre-amp, that the break-in process is real, as I have heard the improvement over time especially with the Ayre gear and my Parasound JC3+ preamp.

The bottom line to me is I did not fret about the break-in process and just listened to the music. If it improves over time whether it be my ears adjusting or the electronics breaking in, than I am a happy camper.

[dbphd]

Originally Posted by GregGale

I am in the camp, at least with most electronics that process low level signals like a pre-amp, that the break-in process is real, as I have heard the improvement over time especially with the Ayre gear and my Parasound JC3+ preamp.

Did you compare the sound with the JC 3 phono stage with that of the P-5xe when used with the KX-5 Twenty? I'm using the JC 3 with a JC 2 BP and JC 1 monoblocks, but a in few years I expect to downsize to a single stereo setup based on KX-5 and KV-5 Twenties, and wondered if I should replace the JC 3 with a P-5xe. My turntable is a Thorens 124 with SME III arm and Ortofon 30H cartridge -- I'm not a vinyl guy, but I've always lusted for a 124 and SME and they do sound damn fine.

db

[bigblue]

Wow. 46 individual volume levels x 500 hours. That's a lot a listening

[Bar81]

Originally Posted by GregGale

I found it interesting, but if you believe that every component in the signal path needs to break in, including each individual resister that is in place, (one for each volume setting) than it makes sense.

Doesn't make much sense from an engineering/design perspective if they're saying that each volume level needs 500 hours of break in. As pointed out above, that's a dumb amount of break in required - the KX-R has even more (60) volume increments. In any case, just for the hell of it, I turned it down to one (which I never use) and I'm not hearing a material difference from the volume levels I regularly use. That's a bridge too far for me.

[GregGale]

Originally Posted by dbphd

Did you compare the sound with the JC 3 phono stage with that of the P-5xe when used with the KX-5 Twenty? I'm using the JC 3 with a JC 2 BP and JC 1 monoblocks, but a in few years I expect to downsize to a single stereo setup based on KX-5 and KV-5 Twenties, and wondered if I should replace the JC 3 with a P-5xe. My turntable is a Thorens 124 with SME III arm and Ortofon 30H cartridge -- I'm not a vinyl guy, but I've always lusted for a 124 and SME and they do sound damn fine.

db

No I have not compared the JC3+with the P-5xe phono stage. I had a Graham Slee Reflex M which I still own and the JC3+ was a huge improvement. I am running an Ortofon Cadenza Black which is just fabulous with the Parasound. I am sure the Ayre phono stage would be nice as well but I went largely on all the positive press in many journals on this piece and I have not been disappointed.

My best friend is also using the JC3+ with the Ayre K5xemp with a Lyra Kleos which he also loves and I have heard which sounds great.

I have read there is some audio improvements with the JC3Plus versus the JC3 but since I never heard the JC3 I cannot comment.

[GregGale]

Originally Posted by Bar81

Doesn't make much sense from an engineering/design perspective if they're saying that each volume level needs 500 hours of break in. As pointed out above, that's a dumb amount of break in required - the KX-R has even more (60) volume increments. In any case, just for the hell of it, I turned it down to one (which I never use) and I'm not hearing a material difference from the volume levels I regularly use. That's a bridge too far for me.

I agree it does not make much sense. I feel the unit sounds great at all volume levels just like you have stated with yours, and I have not broken in each setting. I was just passing along what he mentioned to me.

[dbphd]

Originally Posted by GregGale

I have read there is some audio improvements with the JC3Plus versus the JC3 but since I never heard the JC3 I cannot comment.

I thought the + version made it more flexible for a larger range of cartridges. The JC 3 delivers superb audio with the elderly Ortofon 30H cartridge, but the pleasure for me is in the look and feel of the Thorens TD 124 and the SME III arm with its little suspended weight. Nice stuff just to look at.

db

[ctsooner]

I purchased the Aesthetix Rhea over the other phono's being talked about as well as a few others. I didn't think it was even close to be honest, but that's me. It's killing me that I have to sell it now as I am getting out of Vinyl as the MS prevents me from getting up every 20 minutes to flip sides etc... If anyone has interest.... lol.