@divertiti The amp (*I think*) used during the comparison between A7 and D7 was the lowest-priced Ayre integrated - I forget the model number but probably a $5k or so integrated?? That was the only time I compared them head to head because I had made my mind up as between the two from that point on.
I heard the D7’s on a few different amps over the intervening 6 months, whatever they happened to be hooked up to each time I went back in. Audio Research, Bryston, Bel Canto, probably some others that I’m forgetting now. Always liked how they sounded. I liked Audio Research the best and also ended up buying that ARC demo integrated amp (this one was solid state, not tube).
No I have not heard either Proac or Tekton so I cannot comment on either.
The Dynaudio was in the Excite Series, either X38 or X44 (if such a model exists, I can’t really remember). Dyn was more under consideration when I was focused on A7 price point; I don’t think the Dyn dealer at time had series above the Excite series in stock to listen to. So as far as being "so close," not really that close but nevertheless the #2 at the time I guess you could say. Surprisingly in the $5k range I also liked the B&W 702s2 though I didn’t like other BW speakers as much, but in the 5k range I thought they were pretty good. I found the competition among speakers at the 5k pricepoint to be very strong - lots of good options. But for me the D7's stood well above that fray, and I guess I didn't have access to listen to as many speakers in the under 7k range (harder to find dealers that stocked, but I listened to whatever I had access to).
Other speakers that I listened to during the time were several Kef models, a Linn model, a Sonus Faber model, and I’m sure a few others that I’m forgetting. I didn’t really keep detailed notes on everything, it was more like I kept track of the current leader (which after I heard D7 never changed) and the one or two right behind it (though I didn’t bother going back and relistening to those much). But yeah I tried to hear everything that I could in price range during those 6-8 months total (the few months before I heard A7 and D7 together and the 6 thereafter until I bought the D7’s).
I’ve talked more about my search in my other posts that you can read if you like - hopefully it’s consistent, haha, just going off memory.
