Ayre K1xe vs. Simaudio P7, P8

I have heard both and think Ayre and Sim sound more similar than different to my ears. Both brands are incredibly transparent and detailed. If that is the sound you are going after, then you cant go wrong with either Ayre or Sim. My personal opinion is that Ayre is the better deal, used or new. I would be careful what downstream components you mate with these preamps though.

drubin, what I mean is that I find both Ayre and Sim to be so transparent and airy that they can also sound thin, lacking weight if they are paired up with like sounding components. I have heard all Ayre and Sim systems with revealing speakers and to my ear, it was too much of a good thing. Again, just my opinion.