Thanks for calling me on this. No suspense, I bought the KX-R. Decay, transparency, bass control, soundstaging, etc.; there isn't a single aspect of the performance of my system that isn't improved by the KX-R so it was a rare "no-brainer" upgrade. It really is that rare product that isn't "SS" or "tube"; it's just effortless with exceptional clarity and sparkle but without giving up detail.
On a final note, a belated apology to the crew at Ayre, the KX-R does in fact look gorgeous.