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Has anyone compared Ayre K-1xe to ARC Ref 3 or VTL

I have an Ayre K-1xe preamp with phono stage - which I love.

But I have since acquired an Aesthetix Io Signature, so I no longer use the Ayre's built-in phono stage, which occupies one of the Ayre's 3 balanced XLR inputs. The Io sounds noticeably better through the balanced XLR connections than the single ended connections.

More recently I acquired an Exemplar Denon 5910 with balanced XLR outs only. I also have an Ayre C-5xe, which also sounds much better through the balanced XLR connections than the single ended connections.

I asked Ayre to remove the phono card and return its associated balanced XLR input to line stage. Ayre refuses to remove phono cards from its preamps. So now I have to choose between compromising the sound of vinyl or digital through the C-5xe.

All of this sets the stage for me to sell the K-1xe. I'm considering replacing it with an ARC Ref 3 or a VTL 7.5. I would welcome thoughts from those with experience with these 3 preamps.

Thanks,

Ed
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cipherjuris OP
145 posts
 
Hi all,

Thanks for the your info and suggestions.

Re Calliston Signature -- this would be the best in my opinion, but only accepts 2 balanced inputs. They rarely come up on Audiogon and even more rarely have the remote control which I can't do without and I can't afford a new one.

Waiting to listen to the new Ayre KX-R may be a wise choice. But the configuration of the Ref 3 would be excellent in my system.

Was a little late this weekend on some Ref 3 opportunities on Audiogon. Still keeping open mind on Ayre, ARC & VTL.

Best,

Ed
hikejohn
69 posts
 
I have played with those components...ended up with VTL...next would be the K1xe...last would be the Ref...but guess it depends upon which version of the Ref 3 you are playing with...the one I borrowed I think was recent...but not sure....and of course I have one eye on the upcoming KX-R from Ayre...
soundisntmusic
55 posts
 
hi ed, a while back i posted a long review of the vtl 6.5 pre vs the ref 3. i agree with hikejohn above regarding the ref 3 at the low end. i have auditioned the vtl 7.5 mk 2 only briefly, but enough to know it is of a higher level than the vtl 6.5 which i felt was overall superior to the ref 3. the k1xe is also excellent. note - if you are missing resolution on the low end with cd's it is from the c5xe, excellent all around but weakest at the bottom in terms of articulation. cheers. marc
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kevinmcd
9 posts
 
I had an Ayre C5XE and a K3 preamp and actually preferred the single ended connections to the balanced. I did an A/B with the same type interconnects (AQ Chetahs).
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cipherjuris OP
145 posts
 
Hikejohn, Soundisntmusic & Kevinmcd, thanks for your responses. They give me a lot to think about.

Soundisntmusic, the Virtual Dynamics Revelation 2.0 balanced IC really brought out the base with the C-5xe. I'm running it single-ended right now with a Stealth Indra and it is base-shy compared to the balanced VD Revelation 2.0.

The VTL 6.5/7.5 vs the ARC Ref 3 have certainly generated a lot of opposing opinions. Those who prefer the VTL and those who prefer the Ref 3 seem to be roughly evenly divided.

It will be interesting to hear the new Ayre KX-R.

Best for a Happy and prosperous New Year.

Ed
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