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ayre k5xe

Ayre K-5xe

K-5xe Preamplifier
Ayre's K-5x preamplifier combines peerless musical performance with stunning visual design. The exclusive fully-balanced, zero-feedback circuitry renders music with vitality and life. Its custom-designed volume control is actuated by a silky smooth optical encoder, using FET switches and precision metal-film resistors to deliver absolute sonic transparency. The massive power transformer effortlessly provides startlingly real musical dynamics. The Ayre K-5x will transport you to a new world of musical enjoyment.

Review Links

Charles Hansen interview, K-1x, K-5x review  by: Shane Buettner 12-01-2003

Audio Perfectionist Journal -- "The Ayre K-5x is a killer preamp..."             < TD>

 
hi-fi+ K-5x and V-5x  by: Jason Kennedy 8-01-2003

"The K-5x has a full bodied sound that revels in tonal colour, shape and texture... Build quality is exemplary and better than most achieve even at twice this price."


Features

  • Zero feedback, fully balanced discrete circuitry
  • 66 step volume control, each of 1.0 dB
  • Four inputs: two balanced, two single-ended
  • Proprietary volume control with FET switches & metal film resistors
  • Ayre Conditioner (patent pending) Power-Line RFI Filter
  • Control microprocessor is turned off except when executing a command
  • Input selector also switches ground connection, so that all source components are completely disconnected except for the one selected
  • "Theater" mode for use with surround-sound processor is assignable to any input, allowing use with balanced or single-ended processors
  • ptional metal remote features beautifully finished milled aluminum with five lighted buttons. For the ultimate in luxury and feel when controlling the K-5x. 

Specifications

Input Impedance
20 kohm (per phase)

Output Impedance
55 ohm (per phase)

Frequency Response
DC - 200 kHz

Maximum Gain
4 dB - unbalanced outputs
10 dB - balanced outputs

Maximum Input Level
4 Vrms - unbalanced inputs
8 Vrms - balanced inputs

Power Consumption
10 watts

Dimensions
17.25" W x 13.75" D x 4.75" H
(43.8cm x 35cm x 12cm)

Weight
25 pounds (11.5 kg)

Mark Levinson 326S Baby version of the Ref 32 Pre-amp at a reasonable cost of £6,995. Like most technologies the benefits of the research for the reference products trickle down into more affordable products like the 326s Pre-amp. You get alot of the quality of its bigger brother, providing a jump in the quality available at this price.

Ayre Acoustics C-5xe Universal Disk Player Stereophile Extract: "It ought to be fairly obvious that I found the Ayre C-5xe more than satisfactory. I didn't expect it to disappoint, but I was unprepared for just how much it delighted me. I've heard a lot of impressive audio components over the years, but I've heard very few that afforded me greater musical pleasure or sent me on as many voyages of musical discovery through discs I thought I knew well." - Wes Phillips, July, 2005

Gryphon Diablo The ultimate reference integrated amplifier at £6100. The Gryphon sonic magic in a reasonable sized and georgeous case, you must hear this as it puts most pre power combo's to shame, pure music at its best.

Brinkmann LaGrange turntableThe Brinkmann LaGrange turntable is without a doubt the best source component I have ever had the chance to enjoy over an extended period of time. It represents a level of perfection and emotional connection to music that I have never heard before. - Danny Kaey extract from Positive Feedback

Teac Esoteric DV-50SThe Esoteric DV-50 is the most fun you can have with digital music playback short of the dCS trio reviewed by Michael Fremer in April 2003 (Vol.26 No.4). Given that the dCS gear costs about six times as much as the DV-50, the Esoteric is a screaming bargain, especially considering its hyper-advanced technology, bulletproof build, and exceptional sound. You can even play movies on it. - Stereophile Extract

ProAc D100 The imposing new Response D100 takes on the mantle of flagship model from our legendary Response Four, which has delighted discerning audiophiles for the last twelve years.

The D100's produce stunning music, effortlessly. The enhanced sensitivity extracts the tiniest detail from any recording without brightness or exaggeration. Greater bandwidth creates a huge soundstage, drawing in the listener and creating a concert hall experience, where the loudspeakers seem to melt from the scene..

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