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Do I have to brand match preamp and amp?

I recently got an Ayre v-5xe Amp for my two channel setup (with Revel f208 speakers and PS Audio Directstream DAC). At a good price locally.

I looked at the matching K-5xe MP matching preamp, but it’s too expensive brand new and nothing available used.

Do I have to get a matching brand preamp? Or something different would do. My budget for the Preamp is around two grand.

thanks!
128x128thyname
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
No, you do not have to match brands with preamp and amplifier.
Your Ayre V-5xe has an input impedance of 100Kohms, so matching it with about any preamp on the market should not be a problem.
thyname's avatar
thyname OP
3,107 posts
 
Thanks! So, what would be a good solid state Preamp that is similar in quality and price with k-5xe MP?
gdnrbob
4,417 posts
 
If you can wait, I am sure one will be available in the near future.
One just sold here on Agon recently.
There is one on Ebay, but not MP.

And, no you don't have to get matching amp and pre. I wish I could suggest a comparable preamp, but I haven't used much other than McCormack and Atma-Sphere. The former, a McC RLD-1 is available for less than $1k and can be upgraded by SMc Audio, which might be a way to go. The Atma's are quite a bit more, unfortunately, and are a tube design.
Perhaps a PS Audio?
Though, in my opinion, I would wait for an Ayre to come up for sale.
B
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