Which preamp

Funny as so many will say they don't like Ayre or that !@##%$ is better or that Ayre isn't as revealing......well, then they hear the Ayre and they realize how subtle it is. It just gets it all right and the higher priced units really are worth it. They aren't just higher current/wattage.....They actually sound much better and you get value for your money. I"m still amazed and only have the AX7e....I think that getting the Ax5e would be the BIGGEST upgrade I could do to my system. It is THAT much better. Balanced mode is the only way to go. I don't have a balanced phono stage and I'm already looking at getting one.

+1 on the Ayre. I have owned it and it's a fabulous piece of gear. Relaxed, generous and subtle, it definitely has all that solid state can offer and has the midrange delight of good tube gear. To my ear, the Ayre preamps are their strong suit and they are a great all around design and manufacture company. The K1xe made me realize that I could have a ss pre and be happy with the sound....and THAT kept my speaker's drivers from getting blown by turning gear off and on in the wrong order by non-initiates...the biggest bonus of all!

Thanks for sharing Bud.....I think anyone who hears the Ayre gear says the same thing regardless of what it's up against.