Next upgrade, DartZeel or Ayre

thanks for the inputs.

in my 15+ years of audiophile life, I did have to send some pre & power amps to be serviced and one as far as Canada. the experience is painful and expensive, I would rather not have to deal with it again. but life is full of changes and I am sure I will move again, so owning a gear made in the local neighborhood is not the gating factor though a bonus.

I never heard the DartZeel, but I did hear Ayre combo in dealer with not too optimized setup. Ayre combo sounded good, but given I was not familiar with rest of components and room acoustic, I wasn't ready to give up my BAT 150SE & SF Line 3SE+ for the Ayre combo + lots and lots of cash yet. I know many many solid state amps claim "tube like" midrange and transparency, but I haven't heard one in my life. I don't need absolute neutrality when listen at home, I am not looking for that. instead, I am looking for music that can lift my soul and carry me away after a long day at work. somehow I had the impression DartZeel would be the better of the two to do that, maybe it's the gold face that's glowing softly under dim light that creates the warm feeling.

still searching.

Mono blocks from Dartzeel are on the way too!
Should be ready for production run by spring 2009 if all holds well...one more option!

Semi,

like you, I had never heard a SS component that sounded like tubes do...till I heard the Ayre AX-7E, which I bought. I was so impressed with the integrated, that I went ahead and bought the KX-R. Needless to say, I am very happy with the preamp, even though I was a diehard tube loyalist.

You really need to audition the MX-R. If it is anything like the KX-R, you will not be disappointed.

Pinkus, what tube gears and speakers were you using before you made the switch? I am surprised to hear even that tiny AX-7 can change your mind from tube bliss to solid state coldness.

I am willing to give up some tube magic for solid state convenience, but how much I am willing to give up is another question.

as for DartZeel integrated and mono block, both are out of the question now. integrated most likely will not be powerful enough. mono block will be too expensive even used.

I don't know about that, the AX-7e, while a good unit (particularly if used as an amp only) is limited, as the price point would indicate. If you go with the KX-R you'll be giving up nothing.