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

[jdandy]

Serge.......I finally slowed down enough this evening to read your preamp shoot-out review. First let me say, your literary skills shown as bright as a pair of metal halide spot lights piercing the pitch black darkness on a moonless night. Excellent, and most enjoyable, dare I say rivetting.

I was not surprised by your selection of the Ayre KX-R. The Ayre's meticulous build quality, and unique construction techniques had to strike a chord with the watch aficionado in you, no doubt reminding you of the top tier craftsmanship found in the likes of Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Concord, and others. Ayre's attention to the minute details is extraordinary. That this preamp also sounds spectacular, and melts into harmony with the Lamm M1.2's must be a dream come true.

I am certain I speak for many of us when I say, many thanks for the time and energy expended to afford all of us a peek through your window. It is always a blast.

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge.......I finally slowed down enough this evening to read your preamp shoot-out review. First let me say, your literary skills shown as bright as a pair of metal halide spot lights piercing the pitch black darkness on a moonless night. Excellent, and most enjoyable, dare I say rivetting.

Agree.

We have a number of very articulate writers on this forum -- probably one more reason others see us as snobs.

By contrast, the reviews in most other forums shine as dimly as a single flickering 25W bulb, hanging naked from the cracked and tattered ceiling of a gas station restroom, shedding a few miserable lumens on a squalid porcelain landscape best left unlit.

How's that for snobbery .

Alberto

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Alberto

By contrast, the reviews in most other forums shine as dimly as a single flickering 25W bulb, hanging naked from the cracked and tattered ceiling of a gas station restroom, shedding a miserable lumens on a squalid porcelain landscape.

How's that for snobbery .

Alberto

Hilarious!

I'd like to add that one of those very articulate writers is you. I always look forward to your posts. Your special talent for pointing out the obvious is a true gift.

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Hilarious!

I'd like to add that one of those very articulate writers is you. I always look forward to your posts. Your special talent for pointing out the obvious is a true gift.

Thanks Dan, coming from you that's high praise. If Ivan decides to put out a print version of AudioAficionado he will have a fine stable of writers that will give the Fremers, etc., of the audio world a run for their money.

Alberto

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Serge.......I finally slowed down enough this evening to read your preamp shoot-out review. First let me say, your literary skills shown as bright as a pair of metal halide spot lights piercing the pitch black darkness on a moonless night. Excellent, and most enjoyable, dare I say rivetting.

I was not surprised by your selection of the Ayre KX-R. The Ayre's meticulous build quality, and unique construction techniques had to strike a chord with the watch aficionado in you, no doubt reminding you of the top tier craftsmanship found in the likes of Vacheron Constantin, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Concord, and others. Ayre's attention to the minute details is extraordinary. That this preamp also sounds spectacular, and melts into harmony with the Lamm M1.2's must be a dream come true.

I am certain I speak for many of us when I say, many thanks for the time and energy expended to afford all of us a peek through your window. It is always a blast.

Thanks Dan. I am glad you found my findings enjoyable and worth the time it took to read the long post.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Agree.

We have a number of very articulate writers on this forum -- probably one more reason others see us as snobs.

By contrast, the reviews in most other forums shine as dimly as a single flickering 25W bulb, hanging naked from the cracked and tattered ceiling of a gas station restroom, shedding a few miserable lumens on a squalid porcelain landscape best left unlit.

How's that for snobbery .

Alberto

Alberto, thanks for the vivid image....
Writing is obviously one of your strong points. I think you may even have a great shot at being a movie director. That could be an opening scene to a movie of so many different plots... Gives me an idea..

[Alberto]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Alberto, thanks for the vivid image....
Writing is obviously one of your strong points. I think you may even have a great shot at being a movie director. That could be an opening scene to a movie of so many different plots... Gives me an idea..

Well ... are you going to elaborate?

Alberto

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Alberto

Well ... are you going to elaborate?

Alberto

Check the general off topic forum.

[Haurock]

Hi Serge,
Thank you for your well written and very thorough review of 3 very obviously outstanding pre-amps. I really found it quite informative. You make it very tempting for anyone who enjoys music to at the very least consider looking and listening to this equipment.

I have a rather curious question for you. In one of the many responses you've provided here, you mentioned that you've spent the better part of 3 years with McIntosh and now you've moved on to Lamm and Ayre. Do you think perhaps that your new preference is in part because there has been a 'change' in the sound? As you said this audio gear is top notch and its more a question of flavor then what is the 'best'. Even the best rib steak can get boring if that is all you eat day after day after day. I'm wondering if longtitudinal familiarity predisposes us to 'prefer' something different or appreciate a little more something that has a different sound to it, as long as that sound is good.

I'm not asking this because you've moved away from McIntosh. I would have asked the same if you had moved the other way. I'm wondering if at this level of quality and appreciation, we simply enjoy the slight change of pace.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Haurock

Hi Serge,
Thank you for your well written and very thorough review of 3 very obviously outstanding pre-amps. I really found it quite informative. You make it very tempting for anyone who enjoys music to at the very least consider looking and listening to this equipment.

I have a rather curious question for you. In one of the many responses you've provided here, you mentioned that you've spent the better part of 3 years with McIntosh and now you've moved on to Lamm and Ayre. Do you think perhaps that your new preference is in part because there has been a 'change' in the sound? As you said this audio gear is top notch and its more a question of flavor then what is the 'best'. Even the best rib steak can get boring if that is all you eat day after day after day. I'm wondering if longtitudinal familiarity predisposes us to 'prefer' something different or appreciate a little more something that has a different sound to it, as long as that sound is good.

I'm not asking this because you've moved away from McIntosh. I would have asked the same if you had moved the other way. I'm wondering if at this level of quality and appreciation, we simply enjoy the slight change of pace.

Rock, I've been involved with audio for more than 20 years. I am way beyond the point where I spend money for the sake of a "change". In the case of Lamm and Ayre, both components offered a substantial upgrade path for my preference and taking my system in the direction where I needed it to advance. I have nothing against McIntosh, they build great gear and I enjoyed it for 3 years. I've auditioned Lamm a few times before so when an opportunity presented itself on a barely used pair, I jumped on it since it was one of the few products that I actually loved more than the 501s. The Ayre KX-R is rather new and when I finally got a chance to audition it for 2 weeks in my own system, I knew I found the preamp I was looking for. I had to sell the C500P which was only a month old, that's how much I like the Ayre KX-R. Again, my ears, my preference.