2. amps-preamps
  3. 1099529931

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

Curent System:
Ayre V-5x amp
Levinson 390S CDP directly driving the Ayre
Dynaudio Contour 3.0 Speakers
Au24 speaker cables, Audience Power Cord, PS Audio P300 for CDP, Cardas Golden Cross XLR IC

As much as I like the transparency of the CDP directly driving the amp, the system is begging for a high quality preamp. I've never owned tube gear, but am interesting in trying a good one. I like what I have read about the Lamm LL2, the Ayre-1x, and the BAT 31SE. Of course there are so many other offerings from Hovland, Sonic Fronteirs, ARC, C-J, CAT, and so on.....

I listen to a lot of vocals (Joni Mitchell, Nora Jones, Lucinda Williams, Ella Fitzgerald) and simple jazz arrangements, and occasionaly rock (Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, dave mathews).

As lazy as it sounds, I also want/need a remote (which eliminates many). Also, for some perhaps stupid reason, I want it to handle XLR in/out since that's what I currently have.

Your thoughts and expereinces (especially Ayre or other good SS amp owners) GREATLY appreciated.
artg
artg OP
362 posts
 
WHOA - what was I thinking, the Ayre preamp sounds much better running directly into the wall (vs into the P300 multiwave). More dyamic, richer, though perhaps a little noisier. I'll take it!
kurt_tank
1,188 posts
 
Artg,

Thanks for the update. I appreciate your testing that out.
Glad to see you really like the Ayre! (I will let you know if running dedicated lines helps out, as those are being installed tomorrow!)

(If you are ever so inclined, the phono boards are really very good in the K-1X. They are ever so quiet, very dynamic, and great frequency response. Plus, by not having a seperate phono preamp, I save on not having to buy another damn expensive interconnect!)

By the way, please update me on the "e" upgrade to the Ayre when you get it too! If you think it is worth the $500, I will get it done too. (Although, I will be bummed being without my preamp for probably a month or so. Maybe I will send it off when I go on vacation.)
artg OP
362 posts
 
Kurttank - Please tell us all how you like your dedicated power line.
kurt_tank
1,188 posts
 
Well, I have had a chance to listen a little more to my stereo after I had the dedicated circuits installed.

Definitely better bass response. Seems a little quicker, deeper and better defined.

Most definitely quieter background on both CD and analog.
Really apparent on the analog though.

My imaging seems better too.

(However, I will point out that a week or two before I put in the dedicated circuits I switched my stereo around 180 degrees. (i.e. I put in on the opposite wall from where it was before.) I know I have been playing around with my speaker positioning, which I think might explain some or all of the better imaging. However, I believe that the better bass response and the quieter backgrounds are definitely due to the dedicated circuits.)

Is it worth doing? In my case, definitely!

(PS I seem to definitely like the word "definitely", don't you think?!)
artg OP
362 posts
 
ok, so not that anybody here cares what I'm doign with the system, but today I joined the 'dark side' - I replaced my beloved Ayre V-5x with an audio research VT100 MK III. Lovely sparkle added to the system, albeit with slightly less resolution that the Ayre. The tubed amp mates very nicely with thew SF Guarneri Homage and the Ayre K-1xe preamp!
More to discover