Preamp Recommendations Lamm, Ayre K-1x, BAT 31SE

thanks again, Rayhall. I concur and would agree with your philophy of listening to as much gear as possible, it's just not always practical. I do have local BAT, Atma-Sphere, VTL, Audio Research, and Ayre dealers, and they do allow for take-home auditions, but I feel unethical doing this knowing there is no way I'd pay anywhere close to retail new on any of these items given the HUGE used market out there......

As for synergy, The V1 is actually the higher powered version of the V5. the V1x and V5x are upgrades to the original V1/V5 products, much as the K1x is an upgrade to the K1. If what you heard was the non-x version of that set-up, you'd be suprised how much better the 'x' version sounded (better bass, wider soundstage, more dynamic).

I'm all hell-bent on a tubed preamp mostly because I audiotined a mid-level tubed preamp (AR LS25 MK2)and loved what it did for the sound. Following that logic, I thought - what about even better preamps, which leaves me where I am.

Funny thing about the FS gear, I have a LOCAL guy selling a Paramount for $4K, which by all accounts sounds like a crazy steal. I almost bought it on reputation, but then I had a (fortunately brief) financial scare a month ago and backed out of the deal. anyway, all's clear on the $ front, but Im resistting the single ended, non-remote option. I guess I could buy and try, with the intent to resell if things are not to my liking. at these prices, it shouldn't be that hard to resell at close to purchase price.....

I had a totally balanced system with GamuT CD1R, Pass X2.5 preamp, and GamuT Mk. 3 amp. This was an excellent combo. I then ventured into a tube preamp which is single ended (deHavilland Mercury class A, no negative feedback, triode design). I use the wonderful Cardas XLR RCA adapters. The sound is wonderful in every respect. See my brief review on the "other" forum on 11/03/04. The Mercury comes with a remote option. Needless to say I do not missed my balanced system at all. The less expensive deHavilland Ultraverve was Enjoy The Music.com preamp of the year. I would be very surprised if the top of the line CAT, VTL or BAT improves upon the Mercury. which is 3995 retail with remote. I highly recommend you include this gem with your other auditions. You can talk to Kara the designer whom I imagine would arrange for an audition.

Update: after some listening, I decided to go with the Ayre K-1xe. Overall imaging and transparency champ, with some admirable tube-like qualities, yet no tube hassles. Obviously mates well with the Ayre Amp, and the combo of Ayre and Sonus Faber (i got the Guarneri Homage - an unbeleivable speaker) sound GREAT. Down the line I may add a sub, for for now, Im in audio nirvana.

Having done SS w/ the Ayre, I must say I also loved the tubed gear i auditioned. I just got a good deal on the Ayre, and this timeless piece will always be resellable in the future, should I decide to go nuts again. to review the recent wholesale changes to the system:

The "Old" System:
Amp: McCormack DNA-1
Source: Levinson 390S
preamp: NONE, I Used the 390S direct into the DNA
Speakers: Dynaudio Contour 3.0
Cables: Audince AU24 speaker, Cardas Golden Cross IC

New System:
Amp: Ayre V-5x
Source: Levinson 390S (i kept it)
Preamp: Ayre K-1xe
Speakers: Sonus Faber Guarneri's
Cables: Cardas Golden Reference all around.
Other: PS AUDIO P300 Power plant on the source and pre

THANKS GAIN for all the helpful opinions and advice. This is a very enjoyable forum to have for all us audio nuts.
Art

Congrats on joining the Ayre K-1X club!

Also, good choice on the cabling. I too use a Cardas Golden Reference between my amp and preamp. (Although I do use an Audience AU24 for my cdp to preamp cable. It works quite well too.)

If you use the PS Audio P300 on the new Ayre preamp, let me know how it works out for you. (Ayre suggests not using any power conditioning, so I have not experimented with that as yet. Instead, I am spending my money on having dedicated circuits installed, this Monday as a matter of fact.)

Hope everything works out well for you!

Hey Kurt, i have yet to use the preamp WITHOUT the P300, but i will try it. I think this is a little different than a conditioner (which I know Ayre poo poo's), it's a power regererator. It just makes grade A current (vs filtering or modifying it), and I will say it made a big difference w/ the Levinson CDP. Il l try it and see what happens straight into the wall....

One last thing. Look into the "evolution" upgrade for this preamp, it runs $500, and accrording to the AYre people its a HUGE diffference. I will be doing it in a month or two, once I recover financially from all this spending!