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Ayre A new dimension of musical enjoyment |
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#11
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#12
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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.
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Last edited by will; 04-01-2018 at 09:19 PM. |
#13
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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. |
#14
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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.
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#15
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Khan84... Welcome to AA!
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A250 AMPS, C3850 PRE-AMP, DP950 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC950 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-58 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO, FORTRESS SEATING, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1/D1 STACK, G01X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1 CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES Bryston/Esoteric System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E650 INTEGRATED, DP560 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WIREWORLD GOLD CABLES Bryston Active System: BP26 PRE-AMP, MPS2 POWER SUPPLY, BAX-1 CROSSOVER, BDA-3 DAC, BDP-3 PLAYER, BCD-3 CD PLAYER, BIT15(2), MODEL T ACTIVE SPEAKERS, 21B3 CUBED AMPS, SILENZIO, TARGET RACK, WIREWORLD SILVER CABLES Shunyata Omega QR Power Cables inbound... Accuphase E-800 inbound... |
#16
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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.
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Ayre AX-5/Twenty,QX5,MacMini/HynesLPS,Vandersteen Quatro's |
#17
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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.
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STEREO: Aurender N10, Ayre QX-5, Ayre KX-R TWENTY, Ayre MX-R TWENTY, PS Audio DirectStream & PS Audio DMP, Sonus Faber Amati Futura, Shunyata Research Sigma interconnects and speaker cables, Shunyata Research Sigma & Synergistic Research Galileo power cords, Shunyata Denali 6000/S v2 with Shunyata Typhon QR, Dedicated 20amp AC lines with Oyaide Duplexes. A/V SYSTEM: Sony A9G 77” OLED (main), Sony A9F 65” OLED, Sony A8G 65”OLED , Anthem MCA525, Anthem AVM 60, Lexicon DD-8 for Atmos, ProAc D80 L+R, ProAc Response CC, AT surrounds, Triad Atmos ceiling speakers x4 , JL112E, Oppo 203 & 103, TiVo Bolt, Apple 4KTV, Shunyata Denali 6000/S v2 & Triton v3, Auralex room tx, black-out curtains, Audioquest speaker & HDMI cables, Shunyata Research Sigma & Venom V10NR power cords. Dedicated 20 amp AC lines. |
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