I have using Ayre V3MKIII over 4 years.
I have listen V5 & V5x, I found that the audiophile sounding has been degraded when compare with V3 MKIII (Upgraded from MKII in yr 2000), V5 & V5x are thin in vocal & mid range, mid range not rich, and less detail in full range perfomance during compare V3MKIII, the vocal and instruments (eg. Violin, cello & piano) apart to real instruments very far, bass control inadequate.
Moreover, the internal component of V5 & V6 have been down graded, they use too much IC & EI transformer, I believe that these are the main reason why the new products (whatever V5,V5x, V6 & other preamp) are poor than V3, V1, K3x & K1x).
I think they discountinue the famous V3 to develop new series products, the reason is very obviously, since V3 with very best components and design, so the production & maintenance cost may be too large.
On the other hand, Before, between V3 & V1 are no another choice, and the different between V3 & V1 are not too big during compare with their prices. So most of people like V3 than V1, since V3 is lower prices with same grade or very close to the performance of V1 / V1x.
