Has anyone compared Ayre K-1x to Pass X-1

Tonyptony,
I'm sorry but I'm not sure exactly how to answer your question as I'm not that well versed in audiophile terminology, ha! All high & low ends sound realistic and nothing jumps out at me as being out of place. I don't have a clue as to what "transient speed" is, sorry.
Rookie Audiophile. I just love music :-)

Tgyeti

Annnnnddd back to the question:
Has anyone compared Ayre K-1x to Pass X-1?

mynquestion to the post: What type of sound do you want from your pre?

I love the way the X1 presents the music.  Imo, underrated preamp.

The Ayre K-1x is a fantastic preamp, better than that KX-5.  I haven't spent much time with the Twenty version however.

Between it and the Pass X-1 I give the nod to the Ayre.  The X-1 is very good however, but my memory was that the Ayre was just better.

I have a K1 - there are a few permutations to this unit.   Some have a phono, some with remote.  Mine is both ....and there is an update K1xe.   I remember when mine was modded to xe.....a definite upgrade.   The performance of the unit is quite wonderful, the phono section can take any moving coil made....the Ayre service is among the tops in the industry.