Ayre MR-X monoblocks - how good are they??

I agree Avalon Isis is quite neutral and resovling, but to call Avalon sweet and musical is something I would not do, at least based on what I heard in several systems. Maybe it was the cable choice, but I certainly did not feel any enjoyment listening to Isis.

as for GP Monaco, my impression is it removes so much of external vibration from your components that you are hearing your components at the cleanest state. using maple block under component adds a certain warmth, using GP is like lifting everything away and in fact lift the frequency spectrum up a little. but the most important thing is there is less grain and glare despite sounding more extended and "higher" with even more details.

Fcrowder, I am debating on the Einstein pre amp. it's a sizable investment, not to mention the operating cost from 18 tubes and power it consumes. I started out looking for a new pre to displace my still very good Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE+, I was considering Ayre KX-R (and thought I would get the Ayre combo if I like them enough but didn't like them enough in dealer show room), Dartzeel (would go for the combo again if I like the sound enough, but even used price is slightly out of my reach now), EAR 912 (didn't think the phono stage built-in is as good as Einstein XLR phono), and Atma Sphere MA-1 (no remote). I am surprised to see you mating Einstein pre with JC-1 for such an efficient speaker, I would think Einstein OTL would be a nice amp to go into your system.

Semi:

Point taken, I think that what I really should have said is musically enjoyable. Again, the associated amp and cabling can make quite a difference in the final sound.

I am using the single ended Einstein and understand that the balanced version is even better.

With respect to the Einstein preamp, it is in my opinion a real sleeper. Although it has 18 tubes, 8 of those (6922's) are not really critical to the final sound which means that no tube rolling is required for those 8. Likewise only 11 tubes are "on" at any given time, the 8 previously mentioned, a 12AU7 and two 6922's associated with the particular input to which you are listening. The two 6922's which are used as inputs for each source and the ubiquitous 12AU7 which is always on have a major impact on the sound and tube rolling is highly recommended. To me this allows a certain tailoring of the sound of each input to get the tonal mix which you desire. In general, NOS tubes sound the best, particularly the more expensive Siemens and Telefunkens fron the 1960's. Mullards of the same vintage can also be nice. The unit is sensitive to power cords, AC filtering and to mechanical isolation. The aftermarket footer sold by Acapella works well. With respect to the JC-1's and the Acapella's, what can I say that you have not already heard? The Acapella's are a more difficult load that the sensitivity would suggest, likewise the JC-1's are a much better amp than people generally give them credit for but are not perfect. I have ordered a pair of Audio Note Kegons (balanced) and think that they will be my choice for a long while but only time will tell. The combination of the Einstein phonostage and preamp are synergistic and sound very good, certainly worth an audition.

I've heard the MX and KX-R combination at a very good retail location but I don't think I listened to any "crap modern recordings". Still, I simply can't give a meaningful impression of any gear until I can put into the context of my own system and room. I would highly recommend going through the difficulties it would take to do a home audition though.

Since their introduction I refused to be impressed by Avalon speaker systems because in a casual retail store comparisons they seemed to lack many of the qualities I was striving for. Five years ago I purchased a pair of Eidolons to resell but after a few weeks of listening to them at home I realized they possessed every quality I had been searching for, and then some, all these years.

The point is, I don't even trust my own ears in a store and I would certainly take any conclusion made by strangers on the internet as a simple suggestion and nothing more. There are three people in my audio world whose assessments of sound I trust. One is a musician, another is a sound engineer in the film industry. The other, who I've never meet, started a speaker company in Colorado but now produces audio electronics. I'm obviously very biased.

Your room, your music, your decision.

Vicdamone,

I could not agree more with you about auditioning the component in your environment. It beats the heck out of me how anyone can come to any conclusions in a store environment. In a store audition, what are you listening to...the electronics, the speakers, or the room ?

Pinkus , It's really quite simple....

Usually what I do is bring along recorded music that I enjoy the most and music that I am most familiar with.

Knowing what this recorded music sounds like in my home, I use my memory of it as a bench mark.

Currently I am shopping for a new pair of speakers, so far in the past three weeks I have listened to nine contenders, most at the top end of my budget.

Two of the nine pairs that I have listened to will be crated up and delivered to my home for further listening.

The pair of speakers I mentioned above is one of them, and they sell for less then half of what my budget is.

This could very well be a classic case of ,you get what you pay for , but not always.

As for the Ayre equipment in that system,I give it high marks for musicality.