Feedback on Ayre and Aesthetix with Vandersteen 5As

Go to Johnny as he's the best going. he won't oversell you and you'll walk out with what you want and be happy for a long time. I got Vandy Treo's and the Ayre AX5/20 with CASTLE ROCKS and top AQ interconnects. Personally, I'd go with Earth rather than Water at the level you are playing at.  Makes MUCH more sense. Also, I'd think about asking Johnny when the Niagara 5000 comes out in Sept as that will take it to even another level.  Ayre is worry free, built like a tank and is neither tube nor SS.  I am a former tube guy. I have the Aesthetix Rhea, but went with Ayre as I liked it much better because it's resolving and extended without every given any of us fatigue.  I play a bunch of high res Zepplin and the micro and macro dynamics are outstanding. WE all know that Bonham hit the heads harder than any drummer who ever lived and with the Ayre and your awesome 5a's your room will move!  The best part is the control that Ayre gives you.  it won't blow you away in the store, but it will reveal itself over time as you will stop 'listening' and just enjoy. 

Rob,
You described the listening experience of both as "amazing ". If that's truly your impression I'd buy the Aesthetix as it is available for the better price. Both brands are well regarded and have enthusiastic owners. 
Charles, 

Charles, I too love both.  Personally, when I can find a SS device that sounds as good or better than tube gear I"m going with SS.  Tube gear is a bear to maintain.  I've had it all my life and the only product I have problems with in my system is the Rhea.  At the moment, I have a bad tube and I'm trying to find out which one.  These were new tubes as the unit came back from needing the power supply fixed along with some other 'refresh' items (Sent back to Aesthetix).  The company was and is great.  They want to fix this situation, but it just reminded me why I don't like to own tubes. I went with it because it sounded GREAT, but the PRICE was less than a few other's I was listening to and liked as much or a bit more.  I totally regret this move as I went with my wallet and against my own head IRT buying fully tubed gear.  I'm more concerned when it's power tubes as even those that are automatically biased can never sound the same once the power tubes start to get older and more used.  It get's much more expensive to retube everything so in a few years you are paying more for the amps.  This is just my humble opinion.  When playing at this level you can't make decisions based solely on dollars if you can afford not to.  Johnny is a great sounding board to walk him through this as he knows what questions to ask of folks to lead them to the right decision, but they have to listen to his answers too, lol. Two way street I guess.  That's why so many of us have worked and continue to work with him.  Again, JMHO

Hello ctsooner,

Believe me I understand your argument for SS rather than tubes particularly in regard to power amplifiers. It has been made multiple times. You have found obvious satisfaction with your SS Ayre and that's good for you.  Hasn't worked out that way for me, no SS amp thus far sounds like my SET amp. Horses for courses as is often said.

In the case of the OP he's interested in the Aesthetix  Atlas which has a bipolar driver and output stage (tube input stage ) so essentially this is a SS output stage amplifier. He found it equal to the Ayre (both amazing he said). So he may as well get the lesser cost option in this case. Granted his preamp would be tubed but those small signal tubes are pretty much low maintenance . It seems by his initial post that he'd be thrilled will either brand of amplifier.
Charles,

Excellent discussion guys. I like SS for both electric guitar and bass.
Otherwise, tubes are good choices. Be sure to mention your cabling.