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Amp upgrade from Ayre V-5xe

I am loving the Ayre sound (V-5xe Amp, QX-5 Twenty DAC / streamer). My speakers are the new Revel F228be

While I think V-5xe is great, I am thinking of upgrading to the newer VX-5 Twenty. Just because.... I hear my sirens calling :-)


For you Ayre owners, is this a worthy upgrade?

Or should I consider another solid state Amp? Pass Labs come to mind

Thanks!
128x128thyname
thyname's avatar
thyname OP
3,107 posts
 
Yes @pesky_wabbit... the quest for the holy grail. You are lucky you don’t suffer from this disease 
erik_squires
16,130 posts
 
I love Ayre, far far more than Pass. If you think the two of them are close, by all means get the cheaper one. 

Best,

E
thyname's avatar
thyname OP
3,107 posts
 
@erik_squires I don’t know whether they are close. I only have the Ayre v-5xe looking to upgrade.

thats why I here, hoping to get some advice from people who have tried both VX-5 and X150.8

I know Ayre sound, and the VX-5 can only be better than my amp. But never owned any Pass. Just reading various reviews and forums posts
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@thyname  In case you haven't seen it yet (in print) the Pass XA200.8 review is up on Stereophile now.
erik_squires
16,130 posts
 
Ayre are slightly dark, extremely open. An incredibly black background for instruments to play on. 

Pass are .. their very own sound. Some call it refined. I call it trendy.

Best,

Erik
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