Based on my relatively limited experience, preamps in general have a lesser impact than amps if you're trying to fill in the missing lower octave(s). Your amp/preamp combination is considered excellent by most and compared to many others, so if you're happy with your system and just want to add a little more weight at the very bottom, you may want to experiment with placement, room treatment, or adding a sealed box subwoofer.
Upgrade bug - advice on amp or preamp upgrade from Ayre for Revel speakers?
Hi all, looking to tap in to the collective experience of the forums. My system has evolved nicely over the years. Most recently I changed out my Thiel CS2.4s for Revel Ultima Studio2s. I’ve had them in place for about 9 months and am enjoying the heck out of them. The rest of my system is comprised of a Linn Akurate DS into Ayre K-5xe into Ayre V-5xe. Transparent Audio balanced interconnects and power cords. My musical preferences are primarily informed by my background as a musician (jazz) - I love live, palbable, feeling sound. I love the wood of a bass, the way a kick drum can either pop you in the chest (ala Tony Williams) or convey subtle timbre changes (Jack DeJohnette). I love the splat of a great trumpeter (Tom Harrell, Woody Shaw...) and the thrill of colors a tenor sax can provide (Brecker, Trane, Berg...). As a pianist, I am keenly focused on accurate reproduction that is nuanced enough to let me hear the very different touches of my favorite players (Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, David Kikoski...). And I find music most gratifying when rooted by a firm and true to live conveyance of bass.
My my current system conveys much of what I love, but of late I’m wondering if a more powerful amp might provide “more”. I don’t need more volume, but if I had one nagging suspicion it’s that the Ayre combination doesn’t grip the bottom end as much as it could and at times appears a tad bit lean sounding. Alternatively, could it be a preamp solution? I demoed BAT about ten years ago while there was still a dealer in my area. At the time I sort of fell in love with the sound, but ultimately felt Ayre was a better path at the time. I could probably extend $5 to $7k at this time. A few thoughts would be: Amps (Pass 250.8, Levinson 532h, BAT VK-600, Classe CA M600, Bel Canto Ref600, others?). If Preamp is the right way to go (BAT 32se or 42, ARC, Levinson 326s, others). Or am I crazy and should I stick with what I have and be appropriately grateful?
I really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions from those with relevant experience.
My my current system conveys much of what I love, but of late I’m wondering if a more powerful amp might provide “more”. I don’t need more volume, but if I had one nagging suspicion it’s that the Ayre combination doesn’t grip the bottom end as much as it could and at times appears a tad bit lean sounding. Alternatively, could it be a preamp solution? I demoed BAT about ten years ago while there was still a dealer in my area. At the time I sort of fell in love with the sound, but ultimately felt Ayre was a better path at the time. I could probably extend $5 to $7k at this time. A few thoughts would be: Amps (Pass 250.8, Levinson 532h, BAT VK-600, Classe CA M600, Bel Canto Ref600, others?). If Preamp is the right way to go (BAT 32se or 42, ARC, Levinson 326s, others). Or am I crazy and should I stick with what I have and be appropriately grateful?
I really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions from those with relevant experience.
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- 34 posts total
This is a total aside, but anyone have insight into the future of Ayre post Charles? I still grimace when I think of what happened to Thiel after Jim passed...Unbelievable what happened to Thiel Audio. Jim Thiel never mentored another engineer and the new owners brought in an engineer that completely abandoned all of Thiel's design principles. Why even keep the Thiel name? Really a shame. Jim Thiel's last models are superb, namely the CS3.7 and CS2.4SE. I think that Ayre is in much better shape following the loss of Charles Hansen. If you watch the QX-5 videos over at Audiostream, you will see an interview with engineer Ariel Brown. I think he's been at Ayre for about 20 years. New products are supposed to be released very soon. See here. |
- 34 posts total