Upgrade bug - advice on amp or preamp upgrade from Ayre for Revel speakers?


Hi all, looking to tap in to the collective experience of the forums.  My system has evolved nicely over the years.  Most recently I changed out my Thiel CS2.4s for Revel Ultima Studio2s. I’ve had them in place for about 9 months and am enjoying the heck out of them. The rest of my system is comprised of a Linn Akurate DS into Ayre K-5xe into Ayre V-5xe.  Transparent Audio balanced interconnects and power cords.  My musical preferences are primarily informed by my background as a musician (jazz) - I love live, palbable, feeling sound.  I love the wood of a bass, the way a kick drum can either pop you in the chest (ala Tony Williams) or convey subtle timbre changes (Jack DeJohnette). I love the splat of a great trumpeter (Tom Harrell, Woody Shaw...) and the thrill of colors a tenor sax can provide (Brecker, Trane, Berg...).  As a pianist, I am keenly focused on accurate reproduction that is nuanced enough to let me hear the very different touches of my favorite players (Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, David Kikoski...). And I find music most gratifying when rooted by a firm and true to live conveyance of bass.  

My my current system conveys much of what I love, but of late I’m wondering if a more powerful amp might provide “more”.  I don’t need more volume, but if I had one nagging suspicion it’s that the Ayre combination doesn’t grip the bottom end as much as it could and at times appears a tad bit lean sounding.  Alternatively, could it be a preamp solution?  I demoed BAT about ten years ago while there was still a dealer in my area.  At the time I sort of fell in love with the sound, but ultimately felt Ayre was a better path at the time.  I could probably extend $5 to $7k at this time.  A few thoughts would be:  Amps (Pass 250.8, Levinson 532h, BAT VK-600, Classe CA M600, Bel Canto Ref600, others?).  If Preamp is the right way to go (BAT 32se or 42, ARC, Levinson 326s, others). Or am I crazy and should I stick with what I have and be appropriately grateful?

I really appreciate any thoughts or suggestions from those with relevant experience.
miles_trane

Showing 8 responses by jafant

Thanks! for the update- miles_trane


I can tell you that listening in the day/evening is quite different from listening after midnight due to the fact that 75% of America is asleep from midnight to 0600.  There will be a more pleasant experience if you can stay awake during the stretch.


Happy Listening!

Much Thanks! beetlemania-

it is going to be of interest to learn wether or not the new Integrated is more powerful than previous models. 
Happy Listening!
Has any of you guys seen or heard the newest Ayre Integrated amp?
Happy Listening!
Regarding the Transparent cabling, the Ultra MM2 series and up, is very fine indeed. Happy Listening!
miles_trane
I look forward in reading about your toughts/impressions fo the Ref5SE pre-amp.
Happy Listening!
drrsutliff-

I posted a comment on your Virtual Systems page. Keep posting your listening thoughts/impressions on the Thiel Owners thread as well.

Looking forward in reading more about your system, musical tastes.
Happy Listening!
Much Thanks ! miles_trane
keep us posted on your gear selection.
Happy Listening!

miles_trane-


You and I are kindred Jazz spirits. Your description of the instruments is precisely the many facets that I love about jazz music. Additionally, I am looking to capture the drummer's brushes on the skins, cymbals.

It takes a careful selection of gear, augmented w/ cables and power cords to extract every bit of information from the medium (LP/CD/SACD).


Tell me, how did you like the Ayre/Thiel combination?

Happy Listening!