Ayre Acoustics
KX-5 Twenty Preamplifier
Introduced 2015$14,000 MSRP
The KX-5 Twenty is a solid-state line preamplifier from Colorado-based Ayre Acoustics, recast in 2015 from the original 2013 KX-5 with a Variable-Gain Transconductance volume-control circuit adapted from the flagship KX-R, replacing a traditional attenuating volume control with a variable-gain design intended to keep noise low at any listening level. It uses Ayre's zero-feedback, fully balanced, discrete "Diamond" output stage and was praised by reviewers as one of the quietest preamplifiers they had tested.
MSRP
$14,000
Used market · Excellent
$5,700
-59% vs MSRP
as of Sep 1, 2026MSRP to used market
From $14,000 at launch to $5,700 today.
Specifications
- Color
- Choose an option Silver Black Clear
- Price
- $9,950 in 2015
- Inputs
- 4 balanced XLR; 2 single-ended RCA — 6 inputs total
- Weight
- 23 lb / 10.5 kg
- Outputs
- Balanced XLR and single-ended RCA outputs via Ayre's "Diamond" output-buffer circuit (4 bipolar transistors per channel)
- Topology
- Solid-state, zero-feedback, fully balanced, fully discrete circuitry; Variable-Gain Transconductance (VGT) volume/gain stage using complementary J-FETs
- Dimensions
- 17.25 x 3.75 x 13.25 in / 44 x 10 x 34 cm
- Chassis finish
- Aluminum enclosure with brushed finish; available in silver or black
- Input impedance
- 1 MΩ unbalanced; 2 MΩ balanced (1 MΩ per phase)
- Power consumption
- 40 W operating; 60 W with volume control active
- Frequency response
- DC–250 kHz
- Gain volume control
- VGT circuit provides 46 discrete resistor-selected gain/volume steps of 1.5 dB each per phase per channel
- Maximum input level
- 8 Vrms unbalanced; 16 Vrms balanced
- Dimensions w x h x d
- 17.25 x 3.75 x 13.25 in / 44 x 10 x 34 cm
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