Mark Levinson 326s vs Ayre K5xeMP

I agree @bar81 the KX-R is in a different league.  The old K-1Xe was significantly better than the KX-5 in my experience when I compared them head to head.

The 326 is not the cutting edge, but I think it's a really nice mix of performance, features and interface.

Hk_fan andv@bar81. Thanks for the replies. Is the ML 326s closer to the new Ayre KxR Twenty than the K-5xeMP I have now, meaning a good upgrade ? 
You mentioned ML house sound, are there big difference in sound between Ayre and ML like neutrality, resolution and openness? Or are they similar? 
I don't have dealers to let me audition in my own system. 

I like neutral sound considering gear listed with Revel F228be's speakers, Cardus Clear interconnects and Clarus power AC cables. Using Kimber Kable speaker cable. 

I think the 326s is more comparable to the KX-R, than the K-5exMP. The 326s sonically is laid back or recessed in the mids and upper mids. It is very quiet and smooth with a solid hold of the low end and a nice clear midrange. It lacks however a little life that tube pre’s or the KX-R brings to the table.

@Intim The 326S is not comparable to the KX-R Twenty, it’s not even in the same ballpark as I mentioned earlier. It’s relatively closer to the KX-R but loses to the KX-R in respect of all aspects of performance, what I recall in particular was that the KX-R handily outperformed the 326S in respect of across the board resolution, quickness, midrange openness and treble extension.
My experience in respect of the ML house sound (my first preamp was a Levinson 38) is that it is closed in and dark and sacrifices resolution and speed for a pleasing syrupy vinyl-like sound with a distinct focus on the low end. That type of sound is preferred by a lot of people, particularly those who grew up with vinyl. I have not found it to be reflective of how music sounds in real life but there are many people who disagree with that assertion.