Next upgrade, DartZeel or Ayre

Semi,

The Ayre CDP was also likely problematic. ime, the Ayre digital gear renders music without a soul. Also, the KX-R is really the linchpin (as is the preamp in most systems ime); what you want comes only with the KX-R in the system.

Several other points:

(1) You really shouldn't be making a final decision about gear at the dealer. I never buy anything I can't audition at home (except for speakers as that's difficult but I do make sure to hear the speakers using gear I know intimately).

(2) There's no substitute for power in terms of bass control unless the woofers are powered.

(3) ime, there is no better company in terms of support than Ayre. Not to mention the fact that they support their components forever (it's been like 7+ years for the predecessor to the KX-R, the K-1).

(4) imo, it's always nice when components look as beautiful as they sound; the Ayre reference gear can be proudly displayed anywhere.

(5) Note that Mike is using a system almost fully comprised of gear that comes from one dealer that has I'm sure made sure the voicing is ideal. Also, as I understand it, the woofers in his speakers are powered (see (2) above).

btw, I know of very few dealers that deal in Avalon, Spectral and Ayre. Are you in Singapore?

The dartzeel combination is magical. I resisted for many years to purchase the dartzeel preamp to mate with the dartzeel amplifier because of $$$$ but finally relented.

Its so natural, relaxed, yet transparent and detailed. I think it probably gives you almost all the benefits of tubes without the negatives!

I highly recommend the dartzeel especially for those with speakers that have powered woofers.

the other thing about dartzeel that is truly wonderful is you get to deal with a total knowledgable friendly class act like jonathan tinn at chambers audio. Many people claim to want to be your dealer for life but he is the only one who has truly come through in spades. A dealer as a friend.....now that is a rare concept!!!

I have not heard the ayre combination so cannot say one is better than the other. In any event, each person's subjective taste in what they prefer, what they listen to, the speakers, and the nature of their listening room will likely dictate your ultimate happiness.

good luck

Michael

Bar 81,

i took no offense and don't think you intended offense by your comment;

5) Note that Mike is using a system almost fully comprised of gear that comes from one dealer that has I'm sure made sure the voicing is ideal.

OTOH your comment does infer that somehow the source of my gear means there is a need to combine my specific combination of gear to get my results from the dart amp and pre. i don't think there is any evidence to support that meaning. unless somehow my dealer sells the only gear that is musically accurate and natural sounding.

of course; there are many choices of gear which would compliment the darTZeel products and result in the same type perceptions i have written. any natural sounding speaker with a reasonable efficiency and impedence will sound exceptional with the darTZeel.....or let's say it will sound better on the darTZeel than most if not all other amps i have heard. the same with sources and so on.

Mike,

The comment was not intended to imply that the dartzeel gear doesn't sound good; rather, just that your setup is an ideal case and that an in-home demo is a must.

Have not heard the DartZeel. My current set up include SF Memento, Ayre MXR and Wadia 581 SE and they sound magical. The Ayre mono amps are very special. I also heard Ayre MX-R and Ayre K1xe driven by Nagra player on Guarneri Memento and they also sound spectacular. In fact, Ayre equipment does match great with SF speakers.