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Ayre KX-R or PS Audio BHK Pre

Hi 
I have an chance to buy either of the above 2 pre amps. Price is not a problem as I am getting a great deal on the Ayre as a demo unit. Still the Ayre is a bit more expensive but I can live with the price difference. What would you guys recommend. Associated equipment is as follows. 
Power Amps Classe CT-M 600
Speakers B&W 800d
Current pre Mark Levinson No. 38s
PS Audio Direct Stream Junior
Clearaudio TT with Avid Phono
Music tastes are mostly Classic rock with some Jazz thrown in. 
srafi

Showing 5 responses by hifiman5

hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
Is the demo unit a KXR Twenty?  According to Ayres the Twenty is a significantly improved version of the KXR.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
That being the case I would hesitate to invest in "old tech." especially when the manufacturer trumpets the remarkable improvements of the new model.  I believe if you reach out to PS Audio they would arrange for an in home audition of a BHK.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
It is very rare to hear of any complaints from Ayre owners.  Good Luck!
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
The OP has a problem that many of us in audio emporium wasteland suffer from;  no where to audition components.  We are reduced to relying on professional reviews, manufacturer reputation, and what we read from users here.  Audiogon is an important resource for those in our predicament.  As you involve yourself here over time, you begin to identify others who seem to share your audio preferences and thus use their postings to help inform your component/accessory purchases.  
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@srafi  There is a lot of fine gear available.  You've garnered some good suggestions here.  Now is probably the time for research.  Make a list of preamps you would be interested in learning more about and set to it.  Hopefully as you read of others' experiences with those preamps one will emerge that possesses the sound/build quality you desire.  Be patient and keep reading.  Good luck with it!
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