Amp upgrade from Ayre V-5xe

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

Thanks @audiotroy 

1 - Yes. Cardas Clear Reflection (speakers and XLR ICs)

2 - Yes. Isotek Aquarius 

3 - Yes. Cardas Clear, Cardas Clear Beyond, Cardas Golden Reference and Wireworld Silver Electras 

4 - Simple stuff. Mapleshade bases

5 - My DAC is Ayre QX-5 has a streamer built in. Feeding via Ethernet using Roon. Roon Optimized Core Kit on a 7th gen i5 NUC

6 - I have no USB on my path (see #5 above). I do use the nice Wireworld Starlight Cat8

7 - Simple panels for first reflection points and some simple bass traps in corners

Price: about 5-6K used. Preferably less 😉