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Preamps: Ayre K-5xeMP vs Pass Labs XP-10 vs Arcam C49

I used to own the Ayre K-5xeMP and it's still the best preamp I've ever owned. I sold it in the interest of trying something different.

With that said, has anyone compared the K-5xeMP with the Pass Labs XP-10 or the Arcam C49? I know the latter isn't perceived to be in the same class as Ayre and Pass Labs, but I'm curious to hear any impressions. It has hardly any press (no reviews that I've seen).
Ag insider logo xs@2xwasquatch
Ag insider logo xs@2x
wasquatch OP
8 posts
 
@erik_squires Which Arcam integrated did you listen to? Did you find them technically close to Ayre components, or was the general warmish tonality the only similarity?    

Yeah I don't think I've actually meet someone who's heard any Arcam preamp, let alone the C49. 
erik_squires
16,058 posts
 
I find Arcam and Ayre close due to the calm and quiet presentation. Not sure what you mean about "technically."


erik_squires
16,058 posts
 
sorry I don't remember the model. I was auditioning DACs at the time.
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wasquatch OP
8 posts
 
@erik_squires  By "technically" I mean in terms of soundstage and detail retrieval. Sorry, I should have explained that better.
erik_squires
16,058 posts
 
Well I thought it was very good. I was auditioning a very warm DAC, the ARC DAC 8 and the airiness and imaging came through in spades, however this was not a side-by-side comparison.
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