Ayre AX-5 Integrated Amplifier

it should cost no more than $5k.

Because...why?

Silly to think about how much it should cost. Raw materials are one thing but when you consider the production facility and labor and marketing... trickle down technology and intellectual property rights? Plus Bolder ain't cheap and lift tickets keep going up. What are you comparing it to?

The Ayre gear I've owned over the years has been great. I sold off my AX7E because it was kind of thin with my Totem Forests and Verity Tamino speakers of a few years ago. I look forward to hearing the new more powerful and advanced integrated with my Verity Parsifal Encores. Like above though, I can't imagine selling the Luxman. Or the Parsifals.

I thought the AX-5 sounded thin with Harbeth C7es-3's. obviously not as thin as the AX7 but still too thin. The price is way too high. You could buy a Pass, Hegel, etc and save a bunch of money.

I heard an AX-5 again last week, this time in a system with the new DX-5 DSD. I listened to a couple of tracks off a *CD* of John Lennon's "Double Fantasy". WOW! That might have been the best system I've ever heard. The soundstage was cavernous, tons of air, crisp and well-defined bass. Incredible transparency and clarity. Just super engaging and musical. I haven't heard an MX-R/KX-R for a couple of years now but I'm thinking the AX-5 is better!

The only downside was that it runs hot. I couldn't keep my hand on the chassis vents for more a than a few seconds. Well, that and that I can't afford one yet . . .

Thank you for your comments regarding the new ax-5!
Unfortunately, my local ayre dealer does not have a demo to listen to.

In my emails with Ayre, they mention that there are three service updates available for earlier production units including an improved heatsink. surprise !

What speakers were they using? I am hoping, and they say, that the ax5 has enough current to drive my new MG 1.7s.

Happy listening,
Ken