How make my Ayre system "warmer"?

As an owner of the K1x and former owner of the V5Xe, I would say that combination can be to much of a good thing even with warm speakers such as Maggies. I personally found the K1x to be the best darn piece of gear I've ever bought. I never thought that much of the V5Xe. I got the sound you are describing with it. I ultimately chose to use the Parasound JC-1 mono amps with the K1x. This combo is detailed and lively but not to much so.

I'm no expert but it seems like all your electronics and speakers are all thought to be not thought of as warm sounding. So maybe you should try something else that is thought to be more of what you are looking for.

If you are thinking of an upgrade to the K1x I'd say go for it, it's a great piece of gear and even if it doesn't get you the warmer sound you are looking for I think you'd love it. It will be a solid building block for whatever your system evolves to in the future. I'd never get rid of mine unless I was getting the KXR.

so far, a definition of warmth has not been offered. the concept of warmth has been discussed in other threads, but since it is relevant to this thread, i will provide my definition. essentially, warmth is the result of a dip in the upper mid/lower treble region, accompanied by a slight peak in the upper bass/lower mid range region.

as has been indicated, warmth is an inaccurate frequency response which emphasiszes the lower frequencies.

i doubt many solid state amps and preamps will exhibit the aforementioned frequency response. there is a better chance of attaining such a frequency response using tube components. however, it will not be easy to find using tube gear in current production, with the exception of some set amps. warmth is often associated with tube amps and preamps in rpoduction prior to 1990, or perhaps prior to 1980.

MrT, I agree with your definition of warmth, it's an inaccurate frequency response, as you describe. I find that many people say they want "warmth" but really mean that they want freedom from "edge" and "glare" and "shout." Generally you work those things out with a combination of speaker placement and quality source components. When you elect accuracy, then you must seek sources that don't added inaccurate high frequency components, like edge and glare.

Dave

I am pretty much in agreement with the preceding comments about warmth. But I would add that lack of "warmth" (or what the original poster describes as sound that is a bit too "lean" or "clean), could also be thought of as lacking in what I would call "richness."

Which in turn suggests addressing the harmonic structure of the system's response, not just the frequency response. Meaning, very conceivably, increasing the amount of even-order harmonic distortion. Just what adding a tube-based cd player or other tube component would do, as several of us have suggested.

Regards,
-- Al

thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

My room is 4,2m x 9m. Speakers standing more than 1 meter from the rear wall and 90 cm from both sides. Moving the speakers was the first thing I have tried. Of course the imaging and holography changed but it wasn´t "warmer" or "richer". I had done some acoustic room treatments. The sound of my system is not hard or lean or "analytical" but a LITTLE BID RICHER would be great.

My speakers goes in the direction of the Lumen White or Avalon Opus Ceramic. I think the Lumen or the Avalon are better known in the US. I would change a lot in the system but the speakers would be the last thing. IMO they are really great, same developer and same chassis than Lumen White. If I sell them (new round about 30.000 USD) I will loose too much.

I have tried a tube preamp with the V-5xe but I think the system lost some "magic" or synergy of the k-5xe and V-5xe. Warmer would be good but not for the price of loosing dynamics, resolution and tonality. I always miss bass qualities with tubes. Yes, a lot recordings sound "sweeter" and "richer" but not as wright and natural as with the Ayres.

I have also tried tube integreated like Ayon Crossfire, a Pathos Inpol, a Einstein The Tune but I liked the Ayres more. On the side of SS I tried Pass, Musical Fidelity, Symphonic Line and others. Some do some thinks better then the Ayres but in total the Ayres are the most musical with great dynamics, resolution and tonality. A lot of stuff sounds like "Hifi" with big soundstages and deep bass but the Ayres bring me more in the music than the other amps I´ve tried. Really great was the stuff from Nagra but they are outside of my budget.

The Shunyata speaker cables was a big step forward from the Magan Signature. A bigger step than I believed before.

Tom