don´t know the vandys but my current set up Boulder 1060 + 1021 + Avalon Indra sounded better than the MR-X or Pass X 350.5 paired either with my 1021 or the borrowed 781i from Wadia going into the Indras. So to me Boulder is the clear choice over Ayre although I´m a BIG Ayre fan (used to have AX-7e + CX-7e, C-5xe with K-1xe and V-5xe later V-1xe). Boulder makes the most neutral and most revealing/ transparent electronics I´ve ever heard. But I strongly believe that KR-X + MR-X driving the right speakers is on par with my Boulder set-up.
Ayre vs Boulder
I am upgrading my electronics and have distilled the choice between Ayre and Boulder for my current system.
I auditioned the MX-Rs in my previous system running WP/8s with Cardas GR SC and was not sold. However, those early amps may not have been broken in and I believe the Cardas GR SC is not actually optimal for these amps.
I heard the MX-Rs driving Vandy Quattros through Audioquest Sky and heard some serious music.
The Boulder 1000 series is also in contention. They are the most neutral electronics I have heard and the 1012 DAC Pre saves a lot of cabling and power cords.
The YG Anat IIs I am using are quite revealing.
Boulder's Yin vs Ayres's Yang?
And what cables have worked for you with these both superlative electronics?
If you could reveal the secret of life, that would help with the decision as well.
I auditioned the MX-Rs in my previous system running WP/8s with Cardas GR SC and was not sold. However, those early amps may not have been broken in and I believe the Cardas GR SC is not actually optimal for these amps.
I heard the MX-Rs driving Vandy Quattros through Audioquest Sky and heard some serious music.
The Boulder 1000 series is also in contention. They are the most neutral electronics I have heard and the 1012 DAC Pre saves a lot of cabling and power cords.
The YG Anat IIs I am using are quite revealing.
Boulder's Yin vs Ayres's Yang?
And what cables have worked for you with these both superlative electronics?
If you could reveal the secret of life, that would help with the decision as well.