Ayre V3 owners. What preamp do you use?

Drubin and Bob budus- You are right... That was my mistake the output impedence is what I should have been concerned with and it is as Druvin had mentioned only 1.2K ohms. I've also spoken with the people at Ayre (Who are really GREAT they bother to spend the time with you!) who did not feel it was a mis-match at all. They actually thought it was a great combination. They also mentioned that the difference with the upgraded amp running single ended and the balanced configuration is not as big a difference as people make it out to be. They just recently came out with a burn in CD that they said makes a bigger difference that balanced vs single ended. Once again thanks for all your help. Best-Gary

I read somewhere that if your amp has all the upgrades, Ayre recommends eliminating the ground. You should probably call them and see if this is true. I don't remember where I read it.

Thanks Blbloom- I have the first upgrade and they recomend that you deleat the ground and reverse the polarity. I did both and it does make a difference.

I have been using an AI M3A with my Ayre for at least 4 years, and I think it is a magical combination. My only complaint is both are high gain and the M3A sounds best in the high gain setting. Thus, not enough resolution in the volume controls. I have been delaying for what seems like years on upgrading my V3...I have the original version and I'm an original owner. Should I break down and do the upgrade??? Has anyone out there been disappointed with either or both of the upgrades??? Advice requested.

Gold: if they'll still do the upgrade & you want to keep your amp then get it done soon. As you may know they've discontinued the V3 because it became too expensive to build anymore even after the 2 price increases. I still use a Chang power conditioner & an upgrade AC cord even with the "Ayre conditioner" which was the better of the two upgrades.