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How hot does the Ayre EX-8 2.0 Integrated Amplifier get?

I am considering the Ayre EX-8 2.0 integrated amplifier and am concerned how hot the amplifier gets.  The amplifier will be placed in my Salamander Designs Wooden Cabinet (66"long, amp in middle cabinet), so heat is a concern.   The cabinet front doors will be closed, and the back is completely open (all panels removed).  I know the new 2.0 upgrade added new vents to remove the heat, but I am unclear how hot the unit gets.

There are no channel markings on the back of the amp for the left and right speaker connections and balanced inputs.   As you FACE the unit, is the left side for the left channel connections and the right side for the right channel connections?  

I called my retailer today for answers but they are closed on Mondays so I will call them on Tuesday.  To be honest, I prefer some real-world experience for how hot the unit gets.  I read a review who suggested Ayre’s Myrtle blocks to help cool the bottom of the amplifier.   Any other comments would be appreciated.  Thanks.  


hgeifman
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,748 posts
 
hgeifman

Thank You for the follow up.

Happy Listening!
hgeifman OP
2,241 posts
 

I auditioned the Ayre EX-8 2.0 integrated amplifier this morning.   The retailer left the amp on all night and the top was warm and not hot.  There are 2 large vents on the top for cooling.  I was very impressed with its sound quality meaning it was like my previous Ayre AX-7e amp but even better (lots).

Ayre reports they "added the extra ventilation to the unit and with the extra devices, it brought the temperature down considerably, particularly on the front of the unit (and I agree).  Their 2.0 upgrade doubled the number of output devices and capacitance for the output stage of the amplifier.  Ayre reports the more capacitance, the better, and the doubled number of devices helps the EX-8 drive harder-to-drive and lower ohm speakers more effortlessly and lets their benefits shine.  Ayre also optimized several places in the Diamond circuit that we discovered after first releasing the EX-8 that overall improves the sound.  In all, the EX-8 simply sounds like it has more power better range.  Bass feels stronger and the mids clearer without losing any of the resolution it had".   The Ayre EX-8 2.0 is an excellent sounding amplifier.  

I also auditioned the Ayre AX-5 Twenty integrated amplifier and it sounded even better.   The sound quality was very impressive meaning clear, musical and I liked it very much.   I felt this amp was MUCH better sounding than the amp I was using in my main audio system.  I continued to listen to the Ayre AX-5 Twenty integrated amplifier and purchased it to replace my SimAudio 700iV2 integrated amp. The Ayre AX-5 Twenty sounded better than my SimAudio amp.  Delivery time is 6-8 weeks.

My SimAudio 340i integrated amp is staying in my 2nd audio system and I am making no changes.  These funds are better spent upgrading my main audio system.


 
beetlemania
834 posts
 
Nice! I still love my AX-5 Twenty. Probably my last amp.
patrickdowns's avatar
patrickdowns
513 posts
 
I am interested in the Ayre AX-5 Twenty integrated amplifier but it lacks one thing the EX-8 has ... a headphone jack. Why doesn't it have one, I wonder?
beetlemania
834 posts
 
Why doesn't it have one, I wonder?
Charles Hansen used to write on these forums: “Performance, features, price. Pick any two.” 
The AX-5, IMO, gives you nearly all the sound of SOTA separates but at a relatively affordable price point. I think most AX-5 owners use the amp only to drive speakers. In my setup, for example, I have neither the space or desire to listen with headphones. I have a Pono player for that.
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