inexpensive preamp for Ayre V3 with Green Mountain

Rufipennis,

Thanks man, I think you are absolutely right - I am on a mission to find a used AX-7. Do you know if the 7e is much different from the 7?

thanks for the concise opinion, I need to hear it.

drew

Nothing on your list will likely beat that used Sonic Euphoria balanced pre from MSS Audio right here on the Gon. No affiliation, just a happy SE owner. And it should work fine with your Ayre amp.

Shakey

If by reading this thread your headed in the direction of an integrated as opposed to separates. Then the Pass Labs INT 150 should be on your short list. I heard that unit not long ago and hands down there is nothing and I mean nothing in an integrated that can come close to the Pass Labs INT 150. In fact I am seriously considering the INT 150 and do away with my separates. Only thing holding me back is lack of on board phono section. I do not like using outboard phono preamps. Just more cabling to deal with. If your not into analog, then this piece from Pass Labs has no peers and stands alone as the finest integrated I have ever heard and I have been in this hobby since 1957. It is mind blowing to say the least. This time around an integrated in a no excuse compromise. Only from the gifted mind of Nelson Pass, whose previous company Threshold set new world standards for high end audio.

I would wait and go with an Ayre pre since the pin configuration would be the same(XLR).

Hey! That's my system! :) Thanks, Rufipennis.

The AX-7e is great. I would recommened finding a AX-7e, or negotiating a great deal on an AX-7 then sending it back to Ayre for a check-up and the upgrade. It sounds soooo nice with the GMA Callistos.

As Charles, says (and you can search for his post out on AA) he'd rather listen to an AX-7e w/ the L-5xe than the V-5xe / K-5xe without the L-5xe. Now, that's sayin' something.