Ayre KX-R TWENTY
The Ayre KX-R TWENTY pairs liquid neutrality with crystalline resolution, exposing fine detail, powerful bass and tangible vocal images without glare or fatigue. Jeff Fritz found its exceptionally silent, effortless presentation revelatory, while its eight analogue inputs and extensive balanced outputs make it a commanding control centre for ambitious reference systems.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
96/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Connectivity
85/100
Value for Money
88/100
Pros
Exceptionally quiet, grain-free and neutral sound combines minute detail with relaxed, non-fatiguing listenability.
Produces tangible, precisely delineated images and naturally spacious decay without artificial spotlighting.
Extensive analogue connectivity includes four XLR and four RCA inputs, plus dual balanced outputs and tape outputs.
Cons
Its $27,500 reviewed price represented a substantial premium, with the Twenty update costing existing KX-R owners $9,000.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100
Reviewers describe an exceptionally silent, transparent and unforced presentation that combines very high resolution with unusual smoothness and ease. The KX-R Twenty is also praised for its tangible images, spacious decay, powerful low end and freedom from listening fatigue.
Transparency Resolution
96/100
The KX-R Twenty is repeatedly described as profoundly quiet, resolving and able to uncover minute details without electronic edge. Reviewers say it lets them hear deeply into voices and recordings while allowing more music through than the original KX-R.
Tonal Balance Musicality
97/100
Its tone is described as utterly neutral, grain-free and liquid, with smoothness that does not soften fine detail. The reviewers especially praise its natural flow, spectacular liquidity and exceptionally low-fatigue presentation.
Dynamics
93/100
Reviewers hear powerful low frequencies, rhythmic flow and a sense of effortless musical release rather than restraint. Direct discussion of large-scale dynamic contrasts is limited, but the reported ease and drive are consistently strong.
Soundstage Imaging
96/100
Images are described as tangible, clearly delineated and suspended convincingly in space, with percussion decay contributing to spaciousness without artificial enhancement. One reviewer likened the vocal specificity to a live microphone feed, an unusually vivid endorsement of image realism.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
The KX-R Twenty retains the substantial 40-pound chassis of the original KX-R, and reviewers characterize the Twenty as a new design within that established enclosure. The available reviews provide little detailed commentary on internal construction, controls or long-term durability.
Features Connectivity
85/100
Connectivity is extensive for a dedicated analogue reference preamplifier: four balanced XLR inputs, four RCA inputs, two pairs of balanced outputs and two balanced tape outputs are reported. It is focused on line-level control rather than offering built-in digital, phono or headphone functions.
Value for Money
88/100
The reviewed price was $27,500, with a $9,000 upgrade path for existing KX-R owners; the supplied current price is $40,000. Within the costly reference-preamplifier segment, SoundStage found the Twenty's audible gains over the original KX-R substantial enough to help justify the $9,000 premium, though the reviews do not compare it directly with rival brands.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Input Impedance
- 2 Mohm balanced (1 Mohm per phase)
- Output Impedance
- 300 ohm balanced (150 ohm per phase)
- Frequency Response
- DC – 250 kHz
- Power Consumption
- 35 watts in standby or normal operation 65 watts with remote control active
- Dimensions
- 17.25" W x 11.5" D x 3.75" H (43.8cm x 29.2cm x 9.5cm)
- Weight
- 40 pounds 18 kg
Manufacturer's Description — Ayre
Since the introduction of the KX-R preamplifier in 2008 we have embarked on many projects involving new technologies. While progressing along this musical journey, our collective knowledge base has grown immensely in all areas of audio circuit design. These new insights have been implemented at the highest level in our complete redesign of the KX-R Twenty. These technologies and upgrades to the KX-R have resulted in a preamplifier which is as revolutionary now as the KX-R was when it was originally introduced with the world’s first Variable Gain Transconductance (VGT) volume control.
The debut of our AyreLock power supply uses a new type of discrete voltage regulation with more than twice the capacitance of the old power supply, delivering powerfully layered dynamics—musically. Our optimizations of the current mirror and addition of the Ayre Diamond output stage impart such a stunning sense of realism that you will be captivated from the first note. The resolution of detail and ultimate sense of refinement you will discover in the KX-R Twenty both come from hundreds of hours of listening tests, allowing us to choose the absolute best part for every critical area along the audio circuit.
Finally, following our mantra that everything matters, we have explored each detail in the audio path from circuit trace length to part orientation and have included processes which many would consider fanatical, pushing this preamplifier to the brink of perfection. Celebrate twenty years of adventure and invention with the KX-R Twenty.
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Authorized dealers for Ayre KX-R TWENTY
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Akustik Strauss — in-store — Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bayern, Germany (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audible Elegance — online and in-store — Cincinnati, Ohio, United States (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
- Audio Advisor — online and in-store — Michigan, United States (website)
- Audio Artisans — in-store — Bozeman, Montana, United States (website)
- Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
- Audio Magic — online and in-store — Preston, Victoria, Australia (website)
and 41 more verified dealers