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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) by Pinkus Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
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72.64.192.193
Model: MX-R Category: Amplifier (SS) Suggested Retail Price: $16,500 Description: Monoblocks Manufacturer URL: Ayre Acoustics
Review by Pinkus on March 24, 2010 at 18:24:26
IP Address: 72.64.192.193Add Your Review
for the MX-R
This is a seriously good amplifier. I have had new any shiny components before (KX-R, Guarneri Memento's, Nagra VPA's, Dartzeel nhb-108), but none have compelled me to write a review.
Voices are reproduced with vigor, body and presence, not unlike the sound produced by a good tube amplifier. The resolution of this amplifier is stunning. It reminds me of my first experience with HD television after watching standard definition programming for two decades. Because of the incredible resolution, instruments and voices emerge from what was previously noise. And emerge they do with body and substance.
It is almost obligatory for me to say this, but this resolution is delivered without any grain, etch, or stridency. I know when I read that an amplifier has incredible resolution, I involuntarily picture myself covering my ears, but that is most decidedly not the case here.
This is an intensely visual amplifier. It bests my Nagra VPA, a tube amplifier, in sound-staging by a healthy margin. I had no idea that two speakers could produce such a deep and 3 dimensional soundstage ! And the interesting thing is that instruments in the far reaches of the soundstage still have substantial body, though diminished in scale, obviously. I have never experienced this before.
The wall to wall sound created by these amplifiers is shocking in its density. I do not use the term "shocking" as a verbal flourish. That term speaks to my reaction on hearing the meaty and substantial panorama of sound created by the two little Guarneri Memento's tethered to the MX-Rs.
I could go on and on with my audiophile logorrhea (and I fear I have) but that would serve no purpose. If my writing skills were better, I could attempt to capture all the nuances of sound with language, but I still would not be able to convey the scale of improvement over other amplifiers -- my idea of the scale of improvement is entirely dependent on my prior experiences, and you the reader would interpret the scale based on your experiences.
I should have hit the knee of the diminishing returns curve with the Nagra, or the Dart, but that is not the case. This amplifier, in my system (caveat1, caveat2, caveat2, etc. etc), stands head and shoulders above all other amplifiers I have tried … Nagra VPA, Nagra MPA, Dartzeel NHB-108, Linn Klimax Twin Chakra (terrible compared to the others). I wonder if I am the point of diminishing returns now.
In the end you have to experience what this amplifier can do, and in a system that you are innately familiar with. If you have any preconceived notions about high powered SS amplifiers, prepare to be amazed. Right now I am listening to music through an all Ayre stack with nary a tube in sight, and I am luxuriating in the warm, natural sound.
Product Weakness: I am sure there are better amplifiers out there. And then there is the sound of live music. Product Strengths: see above
Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Ayre MX-R Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Ayre KX-R Sources (CDP/Turntable): Ayre C-5xe Speakers: Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento Cables/Interconnects: prefer not to say Music Used (Genre/Selections): all sorts Room Size (LxWxH): 16 x 9 x 8 Room Comments/Treatments: carpeting Time Period/Length of Audition: Product owner for less than a week :-) Other (Power Conditioner etc.): none Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner Your System (if other than home audition): NA
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Topic - REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - Pinkus 18:24:26 03/24/10 ( 10)
- Thanks for an interesting & intriguing review - DevillEars 09:41:16 03/26/10 ( 2)
- RE: Thanks for an interesting & intriguing review - JCF 15:24:30 03/27/10 ( 0)
- I did lavish praise on the KX-R ...just not in this review - Pinkus 12:32:51 03/26/10 ( 0)
RE: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - Sunya 20:19:18 03/25/10 ( 0)
RE: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - JCF 05:36:15 03/25/10 ( 3)
- RE: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - Pinkus 17:44:09 03/25/10 ( 1)
- RE: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - JCF 02:48:32 03/26/10 ( 0)
RE: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - Cpk 06:16:24 03/25/10 ( 0)
RE: REVIEW: Ayre Acoustics MX-R Amplifier (SS) - SgreenP@MSN.com 22:05:33 03/24/10 ( 1)
- No idea .... - Pinkus 17:34:24 03/25/10 ( 0)