Ayre KX-R

cmalak and bar81 has some good advice. they are coming from differing perspecives.

I've heard this preamp in my system (with Ayre MXR amps). It is VERY VERY good, I ended up however matching my Ayre amps with a Nagra PLL pre vs the Ayre Pre. Saved 8-9K. While I felt the Ayre did some things better like deeply quiet and incredible detail, I thought the Nagra added a touch of warmth that I wanted in my system and was a better match with my existing Nagra phono stage (VPS).

Regardless on the price you can get on a KXR, you have to match it to what you already have or plan to get one day.

I still may go with a KXR one day when Ayre comes out with a matching phono stage...but for now, I am very happy.

so I think the real answer here for you is "it depends" on things like what are you matching it to and what type of sound do you like.

they are going to let me take home and audition the kx-r and a krell 202....

Topfinadv...glad to hear it. Let us know what you decide. This is the best way to evaluate gear. Glad you got the opportunity to audition it in your system + compare it to the Evo 202 and your current gear. Good luck and happy holidays.

good point!!! I have ml prodigy's, krell amp and auditioning a dcs puccini and playback design's sacd player.....

someone also mentioned to me about the pass xp-20. Anyone have any thoughts about this preamp vs the ayre or the krell.Thanks