Amp upgrade from Ayre V-5xe

Thanks @audioconnection  JohhnyR. I think you nailed it. I should stop messing around and either:

1 - Stay with my Ayre V-5xe, or

2 - Upgrade to Ayre VX-5 Twenty

Thyme often the path less traveled will get you the results you are after, 

Borrow all the amps that you can and see if switching out the amp does what you want it to.

Many times we have seen a better match occuring with brand mixing than keeping all the same brand obviously it does depend on the gear. 

It all comes down to what you are trying to accheive sonically.

Don't be cowed into thinking that an all anything system is going to necessarily be the ticket. Audio allows for experimentation and sometimes chaning one item, cable, power conditioning, cables etc will do it.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

A used Spectral amp might give you a thrill with nuance,dynamics and a sense of being closer to the performance. They’re bulletproof. 

So... what is your suggestion @audiotroy  ?

First Thyname, I wouldn't necessarily run out and change the amp without exploring a few options:

1: Are your cables up to snuff what are you using?
2: Are you using power conditioning? 
3: Are you using power cords?
4: Are you using a stock rack any vibration isolation being used?
5: How are you feeding your dac? 
6: Are you using a hign end usb and ethernet cables?
7: Roon tuning any being used?

After we have looked at all of these factors would we then consider recommending any amp. Then the other issue is what kind of price point are you looking at?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ