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Ayre V5xe vs. Modwright KWA 150

I've been researching amps for my Montana XPs' and I currently have a W4S 500 watt ICE amp that's left over from powering Maggie 20.1s'. The Montanas dont require that much power as they have a 92db rating into 4 ohms. So I have narrowed it down to these two. Are they basically equal amps, or does one clearly outshine the other? Please, any comments are appreciated, even if you think of another amp or if I should just keep the ICE amp. Thanks!
koestner

Showing 2 responses by peter_s

peter_s
1,348 posts
 
I've had both in the same sytem, and was trying various preamps at the same time. My impressions were that the Ayre had a slightly more natural presentation and imaged a bit better, but was just slightly bass shy. I didn't mind this given the other two factors. However, when I used a Modwright 36.5 preamp with the amp, that all changed and the combination gained in all areas, to where I would have likely chosen it. So I guess synergy played a part here. At the time, preamps included an Allnic and... (don't remember).
peter_s
1,348 posts
 
Yes, definitely the Modwright pre + power outperformed the MW pre and Aye amplifier. But if I were going with the Ayre amplifier, I would use a different pre than the MW. Had I not heard the MW+MW combination, I would have gone with the Ayre. As it stands, I've done something totally different. I've gone with Classe Omega amps, and an Ayre K1XE preamp. Someday I may try the MW dual box 36.5 - I'd like to get tubes in my system again.

Not sure if I can elaborate. When using say the Allnic preamp and comparing the Ayre and MW amp, I found the Ayre slighty more musical, more effortless, and better spatial resolution. But again, a bit shy in the bass. And again, putting the two MW together was impressive - I liked that combo a lot and could have been happy with that.
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