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Ayre introduces the AX-8 integrated amp

Ayre Acoustics introduces the brand new 8 Series Components. The 8 series will fit into their product range below the new 5 series, taking the place of the discontinued 9 and 7 series and the older 5 series products. The price range of the 8 series is planned to be between $2,500 - $8,000 US Retail.

The first two products which are showing in Munich are the AX-8 integrated amplifier (with digital inputs including streaming) and the QX-8 digital hub (also with streaming) and like all Ayre components, they will be hand-built in Boulder, CO.

https://wizard-highend.blogspot.com/2017/05/ayre-ax-8-qx-8.html?m=1

http://ciamara.com/new-ayre-8-series-components-coming-fall/

hgeifman
hgeifman OP
2,252 posts
 
Please see below the === for the response I received from Ayre Acoustics on the Ayre EX-8 Integrated amplifier:

=======================================
"We're planning on being able to start shipping the Ayre EX-8 soon, hopefully by end of year depending on when we get some components, such as the chassis, in. We're very excited for it!

As far as features, it will have both USB and Ethernet streaming options as well as S/PDIF and optical inputs. Output is 100 Watts per channel into 8 ohms".


jafant's avatar
jafant
19,818 posts
 

Did anyone see or hear this integrated at RMAF?

Happy Listening!

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

Disappointing to see that so much of the engineering of the integrated is actually the "digital hub" unit.  In other words it's the QX-8 with a fairly low powered integrated thrown in to provide an all-in-one lifestyle solution.  And *not* the baby brother of the AX-5twenty.

More promising to see that Simaudio has come out with a 600i v.2 or MkII.

hgeifman OP
2,252 posts
 
@twoleftears, I agree the Sumaudio 600i amplifier looks very interesting.  The Moon by Simaudio Neo ACE Integrated Amplifier-DAC-Streamer also looks interesting.  The ACE includes a high resolution DAC with DSD decoding up to DSD256 and 32-bit/384kHz PCM.  This units sells for $3,500 vs. $7,500 (??) for the Ayre EX-8 Integrated amp.   Any comments on the Moon by Simaudio Neo ACE?

I am considering replacing my Ayre AX-7e integrated and Ayre Codex DAC with a single amplifier and DAC combination unit.   These Ayre units are used in a 2 channel home theater system and the EX-8 unit price is very expensive for my application.  

I am assuming the release date for the Ayre EX-8 integrated amp has been delayed and I am guessing it maybe released sometime in the 2nd quarter.  I have no official information and am just guessing.  


beetlemania
839 posts
 
Disappointing to see that so much of the engineering of the integrated is actually the "digital hub" unit. In other words it's the QX-8 with a fairly low powered integrated thrown in to provide an all-in-one lifestyle solution. And *not* the baby brother of the AX-5twenty.
What information are you looking at?

The AX-5 Twenty is, IMO, the baby brother of a KXR/MXR. I doubt they can sell that technology for much cheaper unless they use a completely different volume control . . . but then it's no longer a similar product.

The EX-8 is supposed to be 100 W into 8 ohms, almost certainly doubles that into 4 ohms per Ayre standards. I think the way to look at it is as an updated (or, at least, replacement) AX-7 with an onboard "digital hub". That's not a product that interests me (I already have an AX-5) but I imagine there is a demand for such a thing. I'm more interested to see what they rollout to replace the QB-9.
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