Do you think Ayre will add the Diamond output to the KX-R, VX-R and MX-R?

[Kippyy]

I've demoed the KXR twice in my system and came away unimpressed with a dramatic difference in sound,relative to its cost. Note that I have all Ayre electronics.

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by jax4736

Down Under, yours is the first negative opinion of the KX-R I've encountered. Can you describe the rest of your system?

I was keen to try the KX-R after all the glowing reports.
My system is a Spiral Groove 1.1/Kuzma 4 Point/Air Tight PC-3/Ypsilon transformer/Clearaudio Ref. phono stage front end.Minus-K stand for turntable.
Goldmund 18 Eidos Sacd player and Oppo 95 for disc duty.
Gryphon Mirage into Pass X260.5 monos feeding Sasha's .
Everything has balanced outputs except the Goldmund cd player.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by Down Under

The KX-R was perhaps the most disappointing expensive pre-amp I have had in my system.The Pass XP-20 was somewhat better at a more modest price and the Gryphon Mirage had better dynamics,body,bass,treble and midrange.Occasionally there was a little more detail with the Ayre,but it was ultimately fatiguing and disappointing.
I have nothing to gain from these comments,but am just trying to help.The LS-27 Audio research was a better long term companion I kid you not.

I have read about this a few times. How long did you have it fully turned on in your system before audition? The KXR or MXR really takes 2 or 3 days to settle in and get special...just curious...

[Down Under]

Originally Posted by jfrech

I have read about this a few times. How long did you have it fully turned on in your system before audition? The KXR or MXR really takes 2 or 3 days to settle in and get special...just curious...

A good question.
I had it turned on permanently for at least 3 full weeks and it had a few "miles" on it before my loan period.I actually grew to dislike it more in the 3rd week on both lp and cd as it sounded artificial and the enjoyment factor in listening to music lessened.Several experienced listeners came over more than once and all strongly preferred the Gryphon Mirage.

[BillK]

Very strange; I could not possible have had an experience that was more opposite than yours.

I thought the one I demoed sounded bad for the first 24 hours; then afterwards it kept getting better and better over the next 48 hours before stabilizing into incredible.

But perhaps it's all system synergy; the critics all have drooled over the ARC Ref 5 SE, but I found it not to really add anything to my system, at least not the way the KX-R does.

[Down Under]

At times it is a very strange hobby.....

[BillK]

Though I suppose it all does make sense; for example, a system that is already bordering bright may tip over the line into harsh if the KX-R is also a bit bright but may yield the perfect sound when combined with a dark SS amp or tubes.

Likewise, a pre like the Pass XP-30 may be perfect with a solid state system but may be too dull when teamed with a tube amp.

The ARC Ref 5 SE may yield its best synergy with fellow tubes, adding just a bit more tube presence when paired with say an ARC Ref 250 but not yielding enough tube presence to be readily noticeable when paired with a SS amp as compared to a tube phono or digital stage.

So yes, it is quite strange.

[Cellindo]

Dear BillK,

For knowing well the ARC Ref 5, it matches pretty finely with both tube based amps and Class A based SS amps (such as Pass or Accuphase). This preamp seems quite "universal" to my ear. I don't have one simply because it is sold too expensive here in France....

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[guitardave]

I am using a Ref5se with either a Ref150 or the new VX-5. I find it works great with both. The challenge in most solid state is to sound truly natural, or "real", just like the real sound of instruments. Tubes just do this better. The VX-5 sounds more natural than any other solid state amp I have heard, but still not quite as natural as my Ref150. But the VX does have other strengths. Superb transparency and musicality. I find when listening to the VX-5, I notice a lot of new nuances in music I know very well. It is similar to Naim in that regard, but with much more clarity. I guess I would say that you would never guess that that $5k separates these two amps.

[BillK]

My comment regarding the Ref 5 SE was due to my audition of it - while I liked the sound it just didn't do anything in particular I found particularly seductive.

Compare to the KX-R where I found it improved every source I tried, whether CD, television audio or my tuner.

It's the first pre I've heard that actually improved on the sound of my Wadia S7i connected directly to the amp.