cmalak and bar81 has some good advice. they are coming from differing perspecives.
I've heard this preamp in my system (with Ayre MXR amps). It is VERY VERY good, I ended up however matching my Ayre amps with a Nagra PLL pre vs the Ayre Pre. Saved 8-9K. While I felt the Ayre did some things better like deeply quiet and incredible detail, I thought the Nagra added a touch of warmth that I wanted in my system and was a better match with my existing Nagra phono stage (VPS).
Regardless on the price you can get on a KXR, you have to match it to what you already have or plan to get one day.
I still may go with a KXR one day when Ayre comes out with a matching phono stage...but for now, I am very happy.
so I think the real answer here for you is "it depends" on things like what are you matching it to and what type of sound do you like.
I've heard this preamp in my system (with Ayre MXR amps). It is VERY VERY good, I ended up however matching my Ayre amps with a Nagra PLL pre vs the Ayre Pre. Saved 8-9K. While I felt the Ayre did some things better like deeply quiet and incredible detail, I thought the Nagra added a touch of warmth that I wanted in my system and was a better match with my existing Nagra phono stage (VPS).
Regardless on the price you can get on a KXR, you have to match it to what you already have or plan to get one day.
I still may go with a KXR one day when Ayre comes out with a matching phono stage...but for now, I am very happy.
so I think the real answer here for you is "it depends" on things like what are you matching it to and what type of sound do you like.