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Is there life after a KXR? Help

I finally found the ultimate preamp. My own version of audio nirvana. The Ayre KXR. The trouble is I can't afford to keep it. So now I have to find a worthy successor. I'm especially interested in a tubed pre. If it has a great phono stage that's a huge advantage but not required. The rest of my system are Ayre MXRs, and Aerial 20t speakers. I've owned (and liked) an Ayre K-1xe, Levinson 380s, and I've tried using a Wadia system and forgoing the preamp altogether. I intend to buy something used. $10,000 is the top of my budget but I could eek out a tad more if I had to.
mmike84
bryceeboy
115 posts
 
I like the Bat option or you may want to look at the Atma-Sphere MP-1 that includes a killer phono stage. Why does Charly give a crap about anyone selling his stuff? I sold a pair of MXR's (couldn't drive my Soundlabs) and the dealer and Charly had a fit. If I buy something with my money and don't like it, isn't that my own decision not my dealers or Charly's at Ayre. Nice stuff way over priced. IMHO.
bar81
791 posts
 
If you didn't like it, fair enough. To claim it's overpriced, even with the caveat of it being your opinion, is not credible.

Mmike84,

Maybe try a used Einstein "The Tube" preamplifier?
mmike84 OP
309 posts
 
Bryceeboy-

On some level I agree with your comments about Mr. Hansens response to someone re-selling his gear, but on the other hand I appreciate their concern and care for their stuff. I think they take great pride in their work and should be commended for it.

I like the Atma Sphere idea but I'm not sure the current used offering is priced correctly and I need to find something sooner than later. I'm just beginning to explore the BAT option.

As to the rest of your post I value your opinion but I take issue with the last part.just because they didn't jive with your sound labs doesn't mean they are "way over priced". I have compared a lot of gear over the years and in the right system they are as good as it gets (IMHO). I'm obviously not the only one who thinks that.

Cheers!
pinkus
144 posts
 
Mike,

did you compare your MX-R's with Lamm's ? You mention that you have heard a lot of gear over the years, and I am wondering if the Lamm's happen to be one the amps that you have auditioned.
mmike84 OP
309 posts
 
No Pinkus I have not but I'd like to. In fact I have not owned a tubed amp before, although I've heard quite a few in dealers showrooms. I subscribe to the theory that speakers usually sound best with one or the other depending on what the speaker designer intended them to be used with. The big tube amps can overcome that to a point but there is still an inherent design compromise that cannot be undone. Frankly I don't think my speakers would pair as well with tubes as they do SS. I'd like to move down that path but for now I'm enjoying the MXRs and I'm not looking forward to changing speakers.
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