2. amps-preamps
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Used Ayre amp market pricing

I find the Ayre nomenclature confusing in that there are models with the same letters and number but their order seems significant.  I'm looking for a VX-5, not VX-5 Twenty, and wonder what the used market price is likely to be.  A 5-VX is too tall to fit in the space I have with 3" clearance.  Any advice will be appreciated.

db
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cedargrover
302 posts
 
thanks for following up

mgreen27
147 posts
 

"I'm trying to devise a plan for fitting a taller V-5xe in into my cabinet.  The market for a V-5xe seems to be in the mid $2K range."

That's a very good choice. I have 2 V-5's in my system, and even though Ayre makes newer, more expensive amps, the thought of upgrading never crossed my mind.

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dbphd OP
1,631 posts
 
"I have 2 V-5's in my system"

How scrupulous are you in observing the recommended 3" clearance above the amp?  I can see maybe less than 2" being available, so I wondered about installing one or two 6" exhaust fans in the side of the cabinet adjacent to the amp.  The front and rear of the cabinet are open.

The cabinet will house a Sony HAP-Z1ES, Oppo BDP 105, Ayre K-5xeMP and V-5ex.  Another possibility is to mount the Ayre units on the upper shelves and mount the exhaust fan in the top of the cabinet, although that would be cosmetically more intrusive.  The cabinet is glossy black.

nycjlee
286 posts
 
The one good thing about the VX-5 is that it can upgraded to a VX-5 twenty later on at a reasonable price.
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dbphd OP
1,631 posts
 
I installed a K-5xeMP preamp yesterday that replaced a Cary Cinema 12 processor.  I'm using a 30-year-old Proceed Amp 2 to drive a pair of KEF LS50s.  Sources are an Oppo 105 and Sony HAP-Z1ES.  All connections are balanced.  The sound quality is excellent, with sufficient LF extension that I don't miss the subs.  The Ayre preamp is a big improvement over the Cary processor.  I'll continue to look for a VX-5 not V-5xe, but the dual monoblock Amp 2 is serving well so I'm in no hurry.  The setup appears clutter-free, with everything fitting in the cabinet and without the subs and bass manager.  I suspect replacing the Amp 2 with a VX-5 will not have the impact replacing the Cary C12 with the Ayre K-5 had.

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