What Does Ayre Sound Like?

The question really comes down to this: does Ayre have a house sound?  Has it changed over time?  How different does the EX-8 sound from, say, an AX-7.  

Ayre is the only solid-state amplification manufacturer that has always pleased these tube-loving ears.  The house sound has a warmth or a wetness that I really dig.

I have an all Ayre system......the sound is best when using the balanced configuration.  My preamp has 2 outputs....I use a dedicated headphone amp from one of those outputs.....the sound is better when not simultaneously connected.  Unplug the one not used.

Ayre is neutral to the slightly warm side of neutral.  Easy to live with.  Does most things well.  Had the K-5xeMP pre and VX-5 twenty amp, and still using their Codex DAC and phono preamp.  Very reliable equipment and great customer service.  Well respected among audiophiles.

@theo that is high praise indeed, I extensively trialed the KX-R ( pre Twenty ) against the REF5SE and chose the latter w an Ayre VX-R amp pairing. While I have since moved on, I hold the KX-R in high regard. The Twenty circuit is genius :-)

enjoy and let us know as it continues to settle in !!!!

jim