2. amps-preamps
  3. 1134970550

Need help with preamp purchase

What I have so far.
cd ayre c5xe
amp h20 S250

Looking for an active preamp with balanced connections. Has to have a remote. I will also concider a passive pre with the above features. The most important thing is that it has to mate well with the h20. Price wise I'm concidering $5000 - $6000. I can go a little above $6000 but not by much. Oh and no tubes at all!!! Come on guys voice your thoughts!!!
chadaudio816

Showing 2 responses by kurt_tank

kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
I highly recommend the Ayre K-1XE.
It has 3 balanced and 3 single ended inputs.
It has an optional remote.
(Note the remote only controls volume and mute, but that works fine for me.)
It has optional phono boards that are very, very good.
Check the reviews and you will find it is an excellent choice.

New the price exceeds your price range, but used, it comes in a bit below. (I believe Jtinn has a fully loaded K-1XE, with remote and phono boards for sale for $4,900.)

Good Luck in your search.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Chadaudio816,

I have no clue either whether the Ayre K-1XE would mate well with the H2Os either. I have used a Levinson No. 23 (solid state amp) with it and now the Lamm M2.1s (hybrid amp) and they both sound great, (especially the M2.1s, since they add just a touch of tube warmth to the sound).

If your local Ayre dealer won't let you home audition the Ayre, perhaps, since the H20s are relatively small, you could bring them to them and hook them up their to check them out. (Just a thought.)

Good Luck.
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