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Next upgrade, DartZeel or Ayre

Due to heat and space, I am considering DartZeel or Ayre as both are solid state and take up less space than my current system. I understand DartZeel pre and power work best together, similarly for Ayre KX-R and MX-R, so I will get the combo to achieve the best synergy. DartZeel has built-in phono, Ayre does not, so I will have to keep my Einstein phono stage if I go with Ayre.

Has anyone compared the combo? My current speakers are SF Amati Homage & Guarneri Memento with JL F113, either combo can drive my speakers well since I don't listen loud. I do like the extra power from Ayre which gives me more options for speaker upgrade later. But if DartZeel is superior, I am willing to live with the lower power rating and shop my next speaker within DartZeel's capability.

Any input is appreciated.
semi
cerrot's avatar
cerrot
1,700 posts
 
I have heard the new Ayre monoblocks and they sounded awesome. Some of the best solid state I have heard. The dynamics were excellent, transparance & soundstage were wonderful, and it was the cheaper Ayre preamp being used. Take a look at the design. Just beautiful. For solid state, they may be the way to go.
teddy_bear
112 posts
 
I heard Ayre MX-R driven directly by Nagra cdplayer on Guarneri Memento and that system was really bad. I couldn't even hear tape hiss on Living stereo SACD-s, syrupy midrange and hard upper mid...
semi OP
649 posts
 
Henryhk, I know DartZeel is very very good and super musical for a solid state. but I am a tube addict and I don't think DartZeel can match an all tube system, or am I wrong? I know someone sold off his BAT 75SE to get DartZeel to drive his Evolution Acoustic; I don't know his reason for doing so, maybe for sound, for convenience, or Jonathan talked him into using DartZeel to drive EA since he imports both? what ever the reason, I am just not 100% convinced DartZeel combo can sound as musical as an all tube system and I need someone who moved to DartZeel after owning tubes to hit me on the head and tell me to forget about tubes.

Teddy bear, I know Ayre can sound sterile and cold at times if not fully warm up. I heard the combo in dealer as I mentioned. though very clean and transparent, it sure does not have the last bit of air, organic midrange, and delicacy of tube setup.

seems like I am convincing myself to stay with tubes. yes and no. I know something take tubes to create but solid state has closed the gap in recent years. just wondering if the gap is small enough and time is now to pull the trigger.
bar81
791 posts
 
Why don't you just do a home demo of the Ayre combo?
hikejohn
69 posts
 
I have had the Ayre MX-R monoblocks for almost 2 years...and love them. Having only listened to the DarZeel set up in a pass by listen...they were nice but didn't attract me enough to pay serious attention...but I am sure they are excellent. My thoughts are monoblocks next to speakers is an excellent way to go...as to pre amps I have wandered through a few....VTL is excellent but suspect that the KX-R is coming home...
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