Review: KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier and VX-5 Twenty Stereo Amplifier

[will]

Found this review for the VX-5 Twenty:

http://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/revi...e-vx-5-twenty/

[will]

In the past couple of days my KX-5 Twenty/VX-5 Twenty combo took steps forward. I've lost track of the hours I've put into the combo, but time wise I've owned the pair for about 8 months.

What I can describe in words is the information from my discs is now jumping out of my Dynaudio Confidence C1 monitors from a pitch-black background. I mean, there is nothingness when the system is at idle. I can't hear anything. No hiss. No 60 Hz power hum. Zilch. I put my ear right next to the woofers and tweeters of my monitors, and there is nothing coming from them. It's actually disconcerting, as I'm not used to it and think that the system is not functioning. I feel this is a testament to Charley Hansen's implementations of noise-suppressing circuits, AyreLock power supply, AyreConditioner power-line filtering, as well as the S/N benefits from the Double Diamond output and Variable Gain Transconductance.

I've never experienced such pitch-blackness with my system before. I want to add that I do not use any power conditioners or filters. My system is plugged into a $100 Tripp Lite Ibar 12 Ultra surge suppressor (using the four white outlets that have added noise filtration), and my power in Southwest DC is supplied by Pepco (not clean, I reckon). My three power cords are old VH Audio Flavor 1 and 4 cords.

As a result, my music just leaps out because of the combo's transparency. This is immediately apparent when I changed the digital filter setting on my C-5xeMP from Listen to Measure for greater high-frequency energy. The presentation went from a PRaT, front-to-back presentation to a wider and more ethereal presentation. The center image, anchored by a singer or a soloist--whatever--became more recessed, but on the other hand it is holographic and even more surrounding details and stuff that was happening in the background (chorus singing, even mumbling) were revealed. It's difficult to describe, but I have an overall mellower and ethereal presentation that reveals the recorded ambience and space of the performance yet specific things are etch-like with significant air around them. Also, the amplifier is exerting bass control over my Dyns with an iron hand.

And the overall system transparency and greater high-frequency response with the Ayre disc player set at the Measure position are giving cymbal taps a very alluring sweetness. Timbre definitely shifted a little "hotter" so older recordings have a ruthlessness.

There is no right or wrong setting, just different. I am currently captivated by the treble sparkle and clarity and more detailed presentation overall. But there's a possibility I could go back to the Listen setting after a while and regain a sense of immediacy and PRaT.

Another non-related observation is that my system, each time I plop down on my listening char, requires some play-in to get going. This happens even with the system already powered on, not from standby.

[Khan84]

Hi, I’m new to the forum, I just wanted to quickly post my initial impressions of the KX5 twenty. I was forced to sell my beloved Naim system recently and I was hoping to pick up more affordable gear. I was expecting a loss in sound quality and I was certain when I bought the Ayre KX5 Twenty that I’d have to live with less than what I was used to. FYI my Naim setup was NAC 552DR, NAP 135 monoblocks feeding Harbeth 30.2.

I’ve currently been running the Ayre Kx5 twenty into the power section of an affordable integrated Audiolab 8200a RRP 600pounds new. Even so, the sound of the KX5/20 is more cohesive and detailed than the Naim setup. The midrange on the NAC 552DR is more pronounced sure, but overall from what I’m hearing the Ayre is the more detailed and cohesive. The Naim pre retails for about twice the price of the Ayre. Like I said these are early impressions of only a few hours. I will report back once I have a better power amplifier connected as my Harbeths respond well to power.

Very impressed thus far.

[will]

Originally Posted by Khan84

Hi, I’m new to the forum, I just wanted to quickly post my initial impressions of the KX5 twenty. I was forced to sell my beloved Naim system recently and I was hoping to pick up more affordable gear. I was expecting a loss in sound quality and I was certain when I bought the Ayre KX5 Twenty that I’d have to live with less than what I was used to. FYI my Naim setup was NAC 552DR, NAP 135 monoblocks feeding Harbeth 30.2.

I’ve currently been running the Ayre Kx5 twenty into the power section of an affordable integrated Audiolab 8200a RRP 600pounds new. Even so, the sound of the KX5/20 is more cohesive and detailed than the Naim setup. The midrange on the NAC 552DR is more pronounced sure, but overall from what I’m hearing the Ayre is the more detailed and cohesive. The Naim pre retails for about twice the price of the Ayre. Like I said these are early impressions of only a few hours. I will report back once I have a better power amplifier connected as my Harbeths respond well to power.

Very impressed thus far.

Glad you are enjoying your KX-5 Twenty. I don't have experience with Naim, but Naim people swear by them. So, it's really a complement to hear you praising the Ayre.

[Masterlu]

Khan84... Welcome to AA!

[ctsooner]

I lost the link to the site. Sorry it’s been so long. I’m not surprised that anyone system is going to sound better using an air preamp. To me that’s the most important part of the electron a chain other than source. Air makes a great preamp. I honestly believe the KEXR is the best product I’ve ever made. As much as I would die for one the KX five is an incredible preamp also and will make most power amps sound better. Keeping everythingBalanced and using a zero global feedback design takes the clear out of the music while still allowing you to enjoy the micro and macro detail that’s so important to get to the emotion of the music. I was blown away after meeting all the guys at air as they are incredible and care deeply about music as well as gear as well as their customers. Just a bunch of audio files like we are and that’s refreshing.

[RLF]

While I haven’t auditioned the KX-5 20 preamp, I’ve always believed that a tube preamp should be mated to a SS amp for the best sound based on what I’ve read. Although I replaced my beloved ARC Ref 75 with an Ayre VX-5 20 and then upgraded it to MX-R 20 monoblocks, I was bit leery of SS preamps until I brought home my dealer’s demo KX-R 20 to compare with my Audio Research Reference 6 preamp. Needless to say, despite my perceived prior prejudice toward a tubed preamp, the KX-R 20 was a game changer for me and it subsequently replaced my Reference 6.