Recommendation on power amp


I would like recommendations for a power amp for my system which comprises of 
theta digital gen viii series 3 preamp/dac, ayre cx-5xe mp CD player, LUMIN mini u1 streamer, kef blade 2 with a pair of jl audio f113v2 connected with a jl audio cr-1 active crossover, kimber cables , rega rp8 turntable , parasound jc-3 phono stage.
currently using a pair of parasound jc-1 . Thinking of ayre mx-r twenty . Would like recommendations on compatibility of the ayre with the above system .
thanks everyone in advance .

newtoncr

Showing 19 responses by newtoncr

Thank you for your response . The theta dealer is recommending the Prometheus monoblocks. I was not very excited with the pairing . I am looking for a warmer sound. My local ayre dealer would not do a home demo for me . The mx-r twenty sound good in his showroom . My local kef dealer does not have ayre. 

I am very interested to hear from other owners of mx-r twenty, how they feel the amp would integrate and sound with my system. I love what I have read about them and how they sounded in the dealers. 
More info, with the jl audio cr-1 and f-113 v2, the crossover is at 90 hz. Room tuned by Barry Oder . Sound treated with asc bass traps and diffuser panels.
 So the power amps and the blade 2 have to drive only above 90 hz. The chord monoblocks have great control over the low end. The power amp I would need would need to perform great above 90 hz, cause below that is thru my jl audio. So Dave and Troy with that in mind what would be your thoughts . Jc-1 sound a bit hard when driven loud. 
Thanks everyone for your input .
i have heard the ayre twenty and I like their clean sweet sound. Not aggressive or overpowering with driving bass. But I have not heard them with the blade 2. Stereophile pairs the twenty’s with the blade 2 and John Atkinson’s has nothing bad to say .
i am going to try to listen to krell gear and see how I like them the solo 575 monoblocks. 
i listen to vocal music and
i am more excited by clean, open ,taller,  wider and deeper soundstage and not gut wrenching driving bass with pace . 
Thanks for all the insight the search for the amp upgrade to jc-1 continues 
Thanks everyone for your inputs. Appreciate each and every one.
read and researched every unit recommended from audionet, NuForce to Electrocompaniet. 
i have narrowed down to 2 amps
the ayre mx-r twenty and the krell 575 xd monoblocks
i am going to listen to the krell and then decide.
i am looking for a significant upgrade over my class a rated parasound jc-1 s 
any advice pertaining to the above two amps would be greatly appreciated.
thanks everyone.

I am based in us, 
I asked John Atkinson recommendation for amp to pair with the kef blade 2 and he wrote back saying the ayre mx-r twenty would sound excellent in my current system.
i am now nearly convinced to find myself a pair of mx-r twenty .
will keep everyone posted on how the combination sounds 
thanks everyone 
I am going to listen the krell 575 xd before I decide . Yes they r much cheaper and lot more watt per $.
Reading the responses I felt a lot of raised eyebrows about the Jl Audio cr-1 and pair of Jl Audio f113v2 set up for the low end .
I would like everyone to read the below white papers that I am going to post a link to .
They r by Barry Oder “the Sounddoctor “, who I had the pleasure of spending 2 days with .
this is the link to the home page, you can navigate to the white papers. 
Trust me you will find the reading quite enjoyable and helpful 
http://www.soundoctor.com/about.htm
I did contact them and ask them about compatibility and they said it would sound very good and the preamp and speakers are all compatible.
i agree ayre has the best customer service I have encountered. They are amazing and that’s why I am so interested in their amps.
i didn’t ask them about a home demo but I am just waiting to listen to the krell before I decide on the ayre .
Then all I will need is to find a good deal in the mx-r twenties 
Don’t get me wrong , the jc-1 are good amps. When I play my music louder the music seems to get congested. I feel it’s the transition from class a to class a/b operation. And also omg in high bias they cook. I can feel that the bottle neck are the amps and the speakers can sound better at louder volumes with an amp upgrade. 
and again it’s the upgrade bug and right now it’s the power amps in the spotlight
 
thanks everyone. I am sure there are very good amps out there but I have decided to get a pair of mx-r twenties. Special thanks to everyone who helped me make this choice. 
thank you 
@notesaddict what speakers do you use with the krell xd 575 . 
pass labs I am not very excited about the heat . I find the jc-1 very hot running at high bias class A to  25 watts, the way I use them ... 
again the jc-1 sound very nice and right now listening to the rega the system sounds very holographic and clean. But I want the same sound at higher volumes . 
Will soon post on my experience with diff amps on my system and my final choice . The current leader is still the  mx-r twenty . 
I got a pair of mx-r twenties for my system to replace the jc-1.
will use for a week and let everyone know how they sound.
the krell sounded a little too aggressive for me . Made music sound loud not smooth and delicate. I preferred the ayre.
thanks everyone for all the advice and recommendations 
Another note, during the comparison I realized that the krell sounds very similar to the parasound jc-1 and I couldn’t justify the “upgrade”  
but that’s me . 
Thank you caphill,
i have already the purchased the Ayre MX-r twenties .
i have not listened to the Naim.
next time I upgrade I will keep them in mind.

The local ayre dealer here would not offer thr home demo I requested .i was surprised cause I was not new to him and had bought other stuff for him. I was shocked he wouldn’t provide that service . His excuse was someone “ earlier had misused the privilege “ I replied to him saying it was not a privilege but a service he should provide if he wanted customers to buy from him. He was also very pushy with his favorite brands like chord, and gave me the impression that if he didn’t sell it they were not good . And he didn’t sell kef. 
@audiotroy, I listened to them in the showroom , the xd 300. He has had them running for a while for me to audition.
my impression was the sound was too overbearing for my taste. It seemed to be on steroids.
thanks for your input really appreciate it .
@yyzsantabrabara
My room is quite big , open design 32 by 24 ft with 20 ft ceiling .
saw ur LS50s. One of my friends and guide Barry Oder made a system matching Jl Audio subs with the LS50s. He said they were a great match .

http://www.soundoctor.com/about.htm

He he was raving about for about a fraction of the price you could get very similar sound .
you can contact him if you are interested . He can help with bass integration with room treatment and set up .
@ajpk1971 . That sounds good . What speakers have you paired them with .
i am very happy with my ayre mxr/twenty . I did upgrade my streamer to the lumin u1.