Ayre KX-5 preamp with V-3 amp

I was looking for components for a secondary setup. My primary setup is comprised of Ayre QX-5 Twenty serving as a Roon endpoint via Ethernet, DX-5 DSD disc player, and P-5xe phonostage. A KX-5 Twenty preamp and VX-5 Twenty amp drive a pair of KEF Reference 1s augmented by a pair of Velodyne HGS-15s with SMS-1 bass management.

Absent a V-3, I think I’ll use Parasound for the secondary setup:  JC 1 monoblocks, JC 2 preamp, and JC 3 phonostage. That stuff has been sitting in boxes in the garage waiting for me to list it for sale. The setup will use the ultraRendu with LPS 1.2 and QB-9 DAC for Roon. I’ll talk with Ayre about upgrading the DAC.

In a previous setup I used three JC 1s to drive KEF Reference 107/2s and a 204/2C. I really liked the sound. Now the 204/2C and a JC 1 sit between KEF Reference 1s driven by an Ayre VX-5 Twenty. The trio integrates seamlessly. A Bryston SP3 processor receives HDMI from the DX-5 DSD and sends balanced analog to the KX-5 Twenty by-pass

In my secondary setup I’m using an Oppo 205 as a Roon endpoint with a NAD M22, a very tidy setup. But I preferred the sound of the ultraRendu with QB-9 DSD DAC and Ayre AX7e integrated until a channel of the AX7e went out. Also the AX7e has no output for subs. Thus my trashing around for an alternate setup. I think the JC stuff might be that setup.

jafant

My Roon endpoint is an Ayre QX-5 Twenty that receives Ethernet and sends balanced analog to the KX-5 Twenty preamp. It is stereo only.

Before the QX-5, an iMac sent USB to the DX-5 DSD for Roon. Now the DX-5 DSD is used only for discs. Stereo can be balanced analog to the KX-5 or HDMI to a Bryston SP3; multichannel is HDMI to the SP3 that forwards balanced front LR to the KX-5 by-pass, balanced center to the JC 1, and balanced surround to a pair of NAD C-268s. Video is sent directly via HDMI from the DX-5 DSD to the projector, because the DX-5 has an excellent video processor.

jdub39
I prefer to stay within a design team, so I'd use a JC 2 with the JC 5.  John Curl gained considerable fame for his preamp design.

jafant,
Thanks for the tip about the V-3. Might buy it for reserve, but I’ve decided to try a pair of JC 1 monoblocks, JC 2 preamp, and JC 3 phonostage I have in boxes sitting in the garage waiting for me to list them for sale. 400 watts @ 8Ω might seem to be overkill for KEF LS50s, but that’s what I’ve got on hand. I’ll use the ultraRendu with LPS 1.2 and Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC for Roon and a Technics SL 1200 Mk 2 for vinyl. If I "sell" the JC stuff to myself it saves the hassle of listing and shipping, and I’m likely to send up with a pretty good sounding setup.

@jdub39 

The JC stuff will be for the living room.  Ayre Twenty series and a DX-5 DSD are used with KEF Reference 1s in the media room.