Next upgrade, DartZeel or Ayre

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.

Why don't you just do a home demo of the Ayre combo?

Semi,

The Ayre CDP was also likely problematic. ime, the Ayre digital gear renders music without a soul. Also, the KX-R is really the linchpin (as is the preamp in most systems ime); what you want comes only with the KX-R in the system.

Several other points:

(1) You really shouldn't be making a final decision about gear at the dealer. I never buy anything I can't audition at home (except for speakers as that's difficult but I do make sure to hear the speakers using gear I know intimately).

(2) There's no substitute for power in terms of bass control unless the woofers are powered.

(3) ime, there is no better company in terms of support than Ayre. Not to mention the fact that they support their components forever (it's been like 7+ years for the predecessor to the KX-R, the K-1).

(4) imo, it's always nice when components look as beautiful as they sound; the Ayre reference gear can be proudly displayed anywhere.

(5) Note that Mike is using a system almost fully comprised of gear that comes from one dealer that has I'm sure made sure the voicing is ideal. Also, as I understand it, the woofers in his speakers are powered (see (2) above).

btw, I know of very few dealers that deal in Avalon, Spectral and Ayre. Are you in Singapore?

Mike,

The comment was not intended to imply that the dartzeel gear doesn't sound good; rather, just that your setup is an ideal case and that an in-home demo is a must.

Just stop. Glad you're happy; move on.

Nobody is learning anything from your posts other than you seem to be hell bent on trashing Ayre when you have zero credibility with the product. Take your own advice.