Ayre XK-R vs Pass Lab XP-20?


Currently having Pass Lab XP-20 preamp and X350.5 amp,
I assum the whole Pass gear would match perfectly, but seems MBL 6010D (2010 model) and Ayre XK-R are excellent.
have anyone compared red hot Ayre XK-R preamp with XP-20, is it worthy to spend 6K more for XK-R.
quanmer
Mjmch2003,

No offense but I see you have the K5xe which is a good pre but not close to the KX-R. I owne the K5xe MP and auditioned the KX-R in direct comparison. I loved the KX-R but I could not swing the extra cost.

If I may suggest the MP upgrade if you have not already done so. It is well worth the $250-300 cost.
No offence taken, I really appreciate the feedback. Thank you. I'll call Ayre tomorrow. Any and all additional tips/tweaks are also appreciates.
Iv'e been using the XR-K , just kidding , for about 4 months now and my mouth is still agape , I won't get into mushy details . My last two preamps were very good ( ARC Ref 3 - and - Levinson #320S ) the Ayre is simply a step closer to the music and a step further away from electronic's , I'll go now , I'm starting to sound like a review I recently read ..
Regards
Finally is here, Ayre KX-R + MX-R, replaced my Pass XP-20 + X350.5 combo. So I can compare them as a combo, have no chance to cross test them. I try to describe my impression with my limited English.

Ayre combo is more musical, more intimate, sound stage is coherent but not over big and wide, yet in very appropriate dimension. No big difference in day time or night time. Treble is not as bright as Pass, but not in "dark" category at all. Vocal is very attractive, I feel more close to the singer's intention of their interpretation to a song.

Pass combo is very good if you count their price into consideration, 3D & hologram soundstage and sound extension is slightly better than Ayre, May I say it is more "hifi" feel than Ayre, But it is not as coherent and consistent as Ayre, Pass has very good dynamic, but soundstage collapse in daytime if there is too much light into my eyes. But in the dark, Pass can really suck me in as well as Ayre.

I realize that AudiogoNers' opinion are very close to what I heard from two system. To me, I probably can hear Ayre for longer hours without fatigue, in good detail and very balanced way. Pass bring me slightly more "HIFIish" enjoyment when I hear something I have never heard before. But also not over bright or over analytical. Pass combo will still be my recommended system at their price range. Ayre add slight warmth and integrity to the music, but both sound very neutral to me, and very system dependent to the gears and cables you used in your system, any inferior link could be found easily.

Overall, With Ayre combo, I find a new reference system to the sources.
Quanmer ... Glad you like the new Ayre gear . Iv'e been using the KX-R and C5 player for a bit now and am very happy too . I Also feel a bit closer to the singers and musicians . Enjoy ...Tim