Ayre AX-5 Integrated Amplifier

Yes, I owned the combo and traded it for the AX-5 and cash. The jump in transparency was shocking. I was always led to believe separates were better. The ax-5 disproves that theory. Can't wait for Stereophile's conclusion.

Here is the story about AX-5.
I had it and I liked it(please see my comment)above.
My wife came back from vacation and she asked me "what is wrong with the sound".
To her it sounded to harsh when comparing to my previous combo I.e.
Ayre V5-XE with DCS Debussy directly to amplifier.
I told my wife that any audio equipment needs break time.
The sound however has not changed and we have decided that it was not worth it to spend additional 10k to upgrade.
I had already a buyer for V5 and I cancelled sale and instead put AX-5 for sale at discount(my loss).
I was told by Ayre not to sell at this low price and if I ever wanted to buy this unit I need to sign an agreement that I would not sell the unit within 1 year.
To make long story short I do not like this at all!

I auditioned the AX-5 for a week and it opened up and improved by the day. The sound after a week was as good as I have ever heard any amplifier (separate or integrated). I thought it was better than the MXR/KXR combination or the MSB monoblocks when paired with my dCS and Vivids. I am fairly confident you have not given it a fair trial. It is a very quiet amplifier, with exceptional retrievment of micro and macro dynamics, superb soundstage and full bodied sound. Agree that company should not influence our decisions to sell their products. We pay enough and can choose to do whatever we like with our product.

I was told by Ayre not to sell at this low price and if I ever wanted to buy this unit I need to sign an agreement that I would not sell the unit within 1 year.

Unless you are an Ayre dealer/distributor, I find their demands amazingly silly. Did the manufacturer make these demands or some crazy dealer?

Pawel8: Ayre equipment takes a long time to break in. I know you put the Ayre AX-5 up for sale but I suggest you give it more time to break in before you sell it.