The imperfect amp: Pass or Ayre?

I think specs and measurements are for the most part stuck in the 1970s when it comes to amplifiers and electronics, despite better tools. Yes, we can measure THD 100x better and cheaper. But have we added any meaningful measurements? Anything new that helps describe a listener, room, speaker, amp interaction with a particular amp?


A lot of what I think I'm circling around is bemoaning that we don't have better.


While some speaker makers have gone to great lengths to connect measurements to listener preference, if amp makers are doing this, for the most part I haven't heard of them. Pass, to his credit, makes some of what he's trying to do transparent.


It would be nice to me if I could go from my preferred amps to specs and go "aha! This is what I like!" and therefore, buy the cheapest that fits. :D :D :D

@almarg & @atmasphere Just to repeat, thanks so much for posting.  It's so good when education is made part of this site where so much is just opinion.

@erik_squires And depending on what design you're focused on, Pass doesn't just make some of what he does transparent, he makes all of it so. So many of his circuits are totally laid bare for people to read/analyze/copy/modify. His support of DIY makes the high end audio world a better place.

It would be nice to me if I could go from my preferred amps to specs and go "aha! This is what I like!" and therefore, buy the cheapest that fits. :D :D :D

@erik_squires 
What is needed (and entirely possible right now) is a weighting system for the various harmonic spectra. The 2nd and 3rd, since the ear is least sensitive to them having a weight of  'one', something like the 7th having a weight of 500 and the 11th or 13th maybe 1000. If we had a system like that we'd know what we're dealing with in a heartbeat, but don't hold your breath- the industry collectively would be really hating on something like that since its bad for business- what- a spec sheet that tells you how it sounds?? Yikes!!

@ctsooner 
@tomic601 ,

Thanks for the detailed answer.
I own the MX-R and KX-R. Both sound pretty amazing in their non-updated state. I had a chance to update the KX-R, but wanted to hear it first before I did anything. In fact, it bested my Atma MP-3. (So, Ralph is going to build me an MP-1😁, so I can do a closer comparison).
As it sounds so good now, I really needed your comments regarding the Twenty upgrade in order to get an idea of what kind of improvements there would be. (Looks like I will be waiting for the next Upgrade Special at Ayre).
Unfortunately, my Treo's are not up-gradable to CT status.-And, I really don't wish to buy another speaker.

@erik_squires 
Sorry for the digression.
Bob

Bob, the KXR/20 is one of the best preamps made I feel.  It's Ayre's best product to date IMHO as well as most others.  It's a special piece. The MXR/20 upgrade is awesome, but not in the same league as the KXR.  That said, the preamp is more important than the amp, so that would be the upgrade I go with.  The literally use only the case and connections.  The rest of the unit is brand new.  The may still use the transformer.  It's basically a brand new unit though.  I have seen them make them.  Hope that helps a bit.  It's a 30k preamp for a reason.  I dream of owning one.