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Preamp - Ayre vs. Audio Research

If anyone has heard both the Audio Research Reference 6 and the Ayre KX-R Twenty preamp, please describe the differences in their sound.

I recently settled on a D'Agostino Momentum S-250 amplifier. I compared it to a pair of Ayre MX-R Twenties, and my report can be found on a thread called D'Agostino vs Ayre. 

Unfortunately, the Momentum preamp does not offer a line out option, and I want that for headphone amp operation. So, I am considering the AR or Ayre preamp options. Thoughts?
imgoodwithtools
imgoodwithtools OP
236 posts
 
The AR Ref 6 is here. Anxious to fire it up and have a listen.
almaaudio's avatar
almaaudio
14 posts
 
Curious to hear what you think of the REF6! 
We've paired both the REF6 and REF 10 with D'Agostino Progressions, and it feels like a perfect match. It's definitely not for the folks who think a preamp should add nothing, as the ARC is definitely in the "additive" category. 
But what it adds, it's impressive indeed. The air, soundstage depth/width, presence, I don't know many preamps that are able to do that.
And I did have the non-Twenty Ayre in the store for a bit, and I thought it was simply too dry, even with the matching Ayre amps.
Anyway, we're going to show the D'Agostino + ARC REF 10 combo at the LA Audio Show next weekend, if anybody's curious...


cheers,
Alex

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,737 posts
 

Alex- almaaudio


I have heard the ARC Ref5SE on many occasions. I have not had an opportunity to demo the new Ref6.  How much, if any, improvement(s) between these (2) pre-amps?


The rest of the system in question was;

Wilson -Sasha & Sophia speakers

ARC Ref 150 power amp and Bryston 4B-SST power amp.

ARC CD player

Transparent OPUS cabling all around.


Happy Listening!

jafant's avatar
jafant
19,737 posts
 
TY- keithr
bar81
791 posts
 
You can't extrapolate anything about the KX-R Twenty from the regular KX-R - they're completely different units with performance that is miles apart.
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