I've just replaced my ARC LS26 with the Kx-5 preamp and then I borrowed the Vx-5 to compare with my Classé CA-2300.
The Kx-5 is a masterpiece! I know no other to compete with it. It is worth every dollar you spend to buy it. The Vx-5 is a very fine amplifier; tones and colours are natural and exceptionaly well defined, high frequencies are specialy beautifull. But compared to the (less expensive but more powerfull and also very fine) Classé, the Ayre sounds a touch flat, has much less global presence and the bass is not as well defined and much less powerfull. I do not have to determine which one of these two amps is the best or which one you should buy. What I can say for sure: not one person will ever spend money to replace the Classé Ca-2300 with the Ayre Vx-5 after comparing them.
The Kx-5 is a masterpiece! I know no other to compete with it. It is worth every dollar you spend to buy it. The Vx-5 is a very fine amplifier; tones and colours are natural and exceptionaly well defined, high frequencies are specialy beautifull. But compared to the (less expensive but more powerfull and also very fine) Classé, the Ayre sounds a touch flat, has much less global presence and the bass is not as well defined and much less powerfull. I do not have to determine which one of these two amps is the best or which one you should buy. What I can say for sure: not one person will ever spend money to replace the Classé Ca-2300 with the Ayre Vx-5 after comparing them.