Ayre ex-8 2.0 vs Bel Canto e1x

Please read the Stereophile review of the EX-8 2.0 integrated amplifier. For example, “With its pure treble, clear and rich midrange, ample low end, and coherence, the Ayre is the finest solid state integrated I've had in my house. (The EAT E-Glo is the finest tubed integrated.)

If you're auditioning integrated amplifiers near its price, it deserves an audition”. This is why I like Ayre products.

Please see link below:

https://www.stereophile.com/content/ayre-acoustics-ex-8-20-integrated-hub-da-integrated-amplifier

On Michael Lavorgna's Twittering Machines review of the Bel Canto e1X, he compares it against the Ayre. He did not find them remarkably different, but offers some insight between the two.

https://twitteringmachines.com/review-bel-canto-e1x-integrated-amplifier/

I don't have experience with the Ayre, but the e1X is a really nice integrated amp for the money that offers great sonics a lot of flexibility. Features like Tilt Control, various bass management capabilities, high-quality phono section and more allows it to integrate easily into a lot of systems. The Tilt Control and Bass EQ operated in the 64 bit digital domain are absolutely wonderful features to get the sound matching to your taste and room without any sonic degradation. Disclosure: we're a Canadian Bel Canto dealer.

What speakers are you proposing to drive with the unit?  That would factor into the decision.

I will be driving a pair of handcrafted French speakers Klinger Favre:

Klinger Favre audio -english version: Loudspeaker Studio 17 (klinger-favre-english.blogspot.com)

high sensitivity, low impedance, extremely neutral, relatively easy to drive.