I used a pre3 with my ref1000 mk2 and wasn't taken. It was kinda flat and nothing too special. I use a bc dac3 for source. Tried that as a pre and again nice and smooth but not dynamic enough. I now use a pass x1 for the pre and love the synergy. I bet an xp10 would rock. I wonder about Ayre myself. Ah so many choices. Good luck!
Ayre K-5xe or Bel Canto Pre3?
Finally piecing my new system together using an Ayre CX-7eMP front end with Bel Canto ref500m's for power. I hear about "brand synergy" all the time. My question is, what is a more important match, the Ayre K-5xemp to match the front end or the Bel Canto Pre3 to match the amps?