Ayre KX-5

Kuoppis said:
Thanks, will surely do. I will get them earliest mid march though.

But I am very much looking forward to the Twenties, should be good notch upwards in SQ based on what I have heard.
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I finally took delivery of the updated VX-5 Twenty earlier this week, after receiving the KX-5 Twenty already a couple months ago. So it has been a little bit of a journey.

Now, with the amps having just a couple days on their back, there are still quite a few things to settle down with the sound. Everyone knowing Ayre knows that we should probably start serious listening after about 500 hours or so.

But here's a heads-up:
- when I received the KX-5 Twenty and played it with the VX-5 pre-upgrade, I wasn't actually too happy. It was ok yes, but I felt like the slightly warmer K-5 xe MP was a better match with the VX-5. This might also be due to my Magico speakers being rather neutral.
- getting the VX-5 Twenty back, however, things fell into place. It is obvious the KX-5 Twenty and its power amp counterpart are designed to work together. A perfect match.
- what has changed? Basically five things:
1) Bass is fuller and more dynamic
2) Bass reaches deeper
3) sound colorations with different instruments are much more audible
4) highs have now a new lightness and sparkle, coupled with a ton of micro details - only now the KX-5 Twenty can play out its strengts
5) soundstage and imaging are stronger
- so, in a summary, the full shebang. I have the feeling I sent in hi-fi for an upgrade and got hi-end back
- worth the money? You're kidding :).

Next update in 2-3 months.
 
CDLehner said:
Confirms for me...just how good the K-5xe MP was. Wish I'd never sold mine :(
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Chris, I also liked the K-5 xe MP quite a bit. I can however assure you, paired with the right power amp, the KX-5 Twenty is in an entirely different league. Well, not a surprise really, Charlie is not sleeping and there are ten years in between those boxes.
 
Congrats, CDLehner!
It will take me a long time to save up for the KX-5 Twenty.
Cheers! J.
 
Kuoppis said:
Chris, I also liked the K-5 xe MP quite a bit. I can however assure you, paired with the right power amp, the KX-5 Twenty is in an entirely different league. Well, not a surprise really, Charlie is not sleeping and there are ten years in between those boxes.
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Ten years...and thousands of dollars, "between" those boxes ;) Not saying it's not worth it; just that it makes the K-5xe MP, a real bang-for-bucker!

j2020 said:
Congrats, CDLehner!
It will take me a long time to save up for the KX-5 Twenty.
Cheers! J.
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You're congratulating the wrong guy; Kuoppis is the lucky one :congrats:
 
I have the K-5xe MP. It's awesome, and it's warmth is welcome with the very neutral Magicos as Kuoppis says.
 
socfan12 said:
I have the K-5xe MP. It's awesome, and it's warmth is welcome with the very neutral Magicos as Kuoppis says.
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Yeah; I LOVED it, with...I don't remember (ARC DS-450 maybe). And it was still good, with the Pass XA-30.8; but maybe that warmth on warmth, was too much of a good thing.

As I said...I traded it, for a Pass XP-10; hoping for brand-synergy magic. I want it back :(
 
socfan12 said:
I have the K-5xe MP. It's awesome, and it's warmth is welcome with the very neutral Magicos as Kuoppis says.
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Indeed, it goes well with the Magicos.

The newer brethren however is able to do that on a significantly higher resolution level. It really leverages the superb resolution and imaging capability of the Magicos in a new way and takes the entire musical experience to a different level. I am now walking around all day with a stupid grin on my face.

You will hear it if you manage to audition the KX-5 Twenty, but you will need a very good power amp along with the bigger brother, otherwise might not get the full benefit of it.
 
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