Ayre KX-R, "The eighth wonder of the world" and "Battle of the preamps".

[salmtpa]

It's a serious hunk of aluminum! Chock full of little goodies.

[PHC1]

The KX-R Variable Gain Transconductance (VGT) volume control was covered well in stereophile. http://www.stereophile.com/solidprea...yre/index.html

The volume control is actually very cool. When you push the remote, the numbers scroll up and down instead of just changing. Sort of like the gas pumps of olden days. There is an audible thump as well which is cool as the numbers change. That is that wheel you see in the previous pics in action.

The display itself is a costly non-multiplexed type which means it is always on and dots don't change which means no noise.

[Jerome W]

Serge,

Thank you for this wonderful review !! it is always very instructive to read your posts . That's the kind of posts that makes us to progress.
You really gave me the will to listen to that AYRE KXR preamp !!!

Jérôme

[1KW]

Nice Job Serge,

I was expecting you to pick the Ayre. You tipped your hand when you put the C500 up for sale; it was then down to the Lamm and Ayre. You were very impressed with the Ayre build quality, the solid sound even the volume control made when you clicked the remote like it was talking to you. Lastly I could not see you having to get up in the dark to adjust the volume on the Lamm. Congrats on your decision. Are you still going to add a turntable. I rediscovered 5 albums this afternoon I have not listened to in 20 years. It was like finding a time capsule and they still sound good. Enjoy your new system. David

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by 2uberoller

Nice Job Serge,

I was expecting you to pick the Ayre. You tipped your hand when you put the C500 up for sale; it was then down to the Lamm and Ayre. You were very impressed with the Ayre build quality, the solid sound even the volume control made when you clicked the remote like it was talking to you. Lastly I could not see you having to get up in the dark to adjust the volume on the Lamm. Congrats on your decision. Are you still going to add a turntable. I rediscovered 5 albums this afternoon I have not listened to in 20 years. It was like finding a time capsule and they still sound good. Enjoy your new system. David

Thanks David. The Ayre brought out the best out of my Lamm monoblocks. The C500 was really great with the 501s by the way. The Ayre did not show as much improvement with the 501s over the C500. It's that synergy thing again. So I figured the C500 may as well make someone else happy who has McIntosh amps.

['cisco]

Serge......very nice review and thanks for the nice pics

[Yardbird]

Serge,
A throrough, informative analysis I really enjoyed. After struggling with my own recent preamp review, I appreciate your expanded audio vocabulary with it's many descriptors! Since you are so dedicated to "the quest", do you really think you will ever be able to stop awhile and enjoy the music? Ted.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Yardbird

Serge,
A throrough, informative analysis I really enjoyed. After struggling with my own recent preamp review, I appreciate your expanded audio vocabulary with it's many descriptors! Since you are so dedicated to "the quest", do you really think you will ever be able to stop awhile and enjoy the music? Ted.

Thanks Ted. Yes, enjoying the music is still the priority and the main goal behind all these comparisons. I was able to take a break and enjoy music for 3 years I've spent with McIntosh and other than adding a few select components and subs, my system evolved to enhance the listening pleasure. I felt I could still advance my system further and with the addition of Lamm monoblocks, I felt I needed to explore some other components up and down the chain for even better synergy. Once the dust settles, I am hoping to simply enjoy music for some time again without the gear changing.

[Yardbird]

You are fortunate to live in an area where you have access to Lamm and other interesting audio options. You are aware of how far I am having to travel just to hear a Mac tube - Delaware, and if it wasn't for you, I would have to go to Conn. to hear a Lamm! Ted.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Yardbird

You are fortunate to live in an area where you have access to Lamm and other interesting audio options. You are aware of how far I am having to travel just to hear a Mac tube - Delaware, and if it wasn't for you, I would have to go to Conn. to hear a Lamm! Ted.

Road trips are fun.