accuphase compare to mcintosh

I could never understand why so many audiophiles like what they say is a faster versus slower sound. I have not heard an orchestra sound as we hear it on solid state syetems. If anything, they sound slower and warmer to my ears 95% of the time. I want to hear music as close to the real performance as possible. For me, I never played in a symphony orchestra but I do play clarinet so I do have experience with how instruments sound. I have never heard solid state electronics give me this sense of realism regardless if it is Mcintosh or Accuphase. Tubes get closer, McIntosh does make some decent tube gear. You may want to try Atma-sphere. They do make great gear and have excellent bass for a tube amp. In fact sometimes I cannot believe it is a tube amp. They are very natural sounding and make some of the most colorful music I have heard. Not to change the subject, but if you are looking to spend some money, you might want to give Atmasphere a listen. Great value for the coin. IMO.

Tzh2ly..faster or slower?..easy to explain..which pertains more to the amp than the Preamp. The rate of speed from the amp's output to the Speaker is called the slew rate and is measured in milliseconds. The higher the number, the faster the signal to the speaker. Its like rpm's in a car engine. Amps with slower slew rates sound sluggish and dull. If you want the best sound qualities of tube and solid state amp performance and can afford it, hook up a Luxman C-1000F Preamp to a pair of Bel Canto Reference 1000M monoblocks, with a Luxman D-08 SACD player, and the new Sony SS-AR1 speakers. This combination due to its design science, will take you to the gates of Audio Heaven regardless of price, providing you all the best dynamics, detail and smoothness and richness one could ever hope for.

Audiozen, what amp you would recommend for Ayre KX-R?

Luxman does make some great gear, no doubt about it. Not sure about Bel Canto. I have never heard it.

Quanmer...that all depends..the Ayre is extremely neutral and can cut both ways..do you like your sound to be highly analytical in the center of neutral or do you favor a warm full chesty midrange?..