Ayre introduces the AX-8 integrated amp

@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.  

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.

@beetlemania,  Ayre currently sells the Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC featuring the new ESS ES9038PRO DAC chip.  The  New Ayre 8 series DAC/streamer/headphone-amp will be part of the 8 series, as a successor of the Ayre QB-9DSD.  I am guessing the Ayre QX-8 DAC will be announced when the EX-8 amplifier is announced.  This is just a guess since I have no official information.

BTW, I own the Ayre Codex DAC and like it very much.  Please see:

https://www.ayre.com/qx5.htm

@hgeifman Yes, I know they announced the QX-8 months ago. It's been long enough ago that I wonder if they've changed any features or scrapped it altogether. I would love a QX-5 but already crunched my budget with the AX-5 last year. I might at least contemplate a QX-8 if it comes in around $4K and promises a notable improvement over the QB-9.

What I would really love is a QB-9 with QX-5 chip, clock, and circuitry. USB only works just fine for me. I have no need for volume control or headphone amp or 10 digital inputs. I guess many potential customers turned away from the QB-9 because it only did one thing but it sure does that one thing very well!

beetlemania-

how do you like the AX-5 ? Can this model upgrade to AX-5 twenty?
I have not had an opportunity to demo Ayre gear.

Happy Listening!