Ayre introduces the AX-8 integrated amp

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!

As above-
Simaudio has been making Integrated amps for quite a while now.
Those models seem to have high power ratings as well.

Happy Listening!