Pre amp suggestion Ayre or Audio Research

I currently own a Ayre system, but replaced the K5xeMP Preamp with a ARC Ref6SE Preamp, driving Vandersteen 5A speakers. The difference between the two preamps was impressive.

While I loved the Ayre (clear, clean, neutral and reliable), I now prefer a good tube preamp.  The ARC preamp is more realistic, but costing several times the Ayre preamp, it BETTER sound more realistic.

This is truly a MUST DEMO choice.  Check your connectivity requirements, then contact dealers, friends, clubs, etc.  Take your time, as this equipment should last many years.

Either way, you will have a great sounding, synergistic system.

Good luck.

Iʻve always liked the Mac C22.  Thatʻs what you should have gotten the first time.

I have never heard the Ayre at all, much less in my own system, so I can't help you there.  However, I have heard both of the Audio Research preamps in my system.  My strong advice is to reach a little higher if you can to the REF 6.  Used, it's maybe another $2K or so, but IMHO, there is a significant improvement over the lower models.  I was using my MSB Discrete DAC direct to my Pass 250.8,  and decided to experiment with putting a preamp in there, which seemed counterintuitive, since how could putting more wiring and circuits improve the sound.  Neither of the two Audio Research pre's beat the volume control of my DAC to my ears.  But the REF 6 . . . That was a very nice improvement and it is still in my system.