Would like to hear from Ayre owners especially those who dared to venture.

We Ayre electronics owners tend to be a loyal bunch.  We are happy withe the sound, function, reliability, and cosmetics of our amps and preamps.  Ayre also provides a nice upgrade path and does not come out with a new model every year.  I want to hear from those who have found great combinations of Ayre electronics with non-Ayre pieces.  Why did you venture away from all Ayre?  What were you looking for and are you pleased.  I have the k5xeMP pre combined with the new VX-5 twenty amp.  I'm looking to upgrade the preamp and the KX-5 twenty would be the logical next step.  What other preamps, solid state or tube, combine well with the Ayre amp?  If tube, I prefer balanced configurations.  Besides Ayre, I am looking at PS audio, atma-sphere, allnic, LTA, decware, rogue.  Budget is ~5k so probably looking at used. Thanks for your suggestions.