Reviews: Ayre Acoustics KX-R Preamplifier MX-R Monoblocks

has posted a review of the Ayre Acoustics KX-R preamplifier ($18,500) and MX-R monoblock amplifiers ($18,500/pair) at UltraAudio. His conclusions:

The MX-R monoblock amplifiers signified the dawning of a new era at Ayre. With their prodigious power capabilities, they can drive the difficult loads of low-sensitivity speakers with aplomb. Most important, however, they deliver the sonic goods, possessing that very rare ability to communicate in captivating fashion even the music on less-than-stellar recordings. That multiple tube fanatics of my acquaintance have ditched their tube power amps in favor of MX-Rs says it all.

As for the KX-R, I can’t say enough good things. I believe it to be the most complete product Ayre has ever made — a defining achievement for a company known for its string of audio achievements. The KX-R is an ideal reference tool for my life as a reviewer, and an ideal instrument for my audiophile passions.

Individually, the Ayre MX-R monoblock amplifiers and KX-R preamplifier are world-class. Combined, they produce a paradigm shift in solid-state performance, achieving Charles Hansen’s aim of uniting, without compromise, the vitality, musicality, and sense of real instruments in real spaces presented by the very best tube amps, with the dead-quiet backgrounds and top-to-bottom consistency of the finest solid-state products. These are my most highly recommended reference components.

You can read the full review here.