Ayre ex-8 2.0 vs Bel Canto e1x

On Michael Lavorgna's Twittering Machines review of the Bel Canto e1X, he compares it against the Ayre. He did not find them remarkably different, but offers some insight between the two.

https://twitteringmachines.com/review-bel-canto-e1x-integrated-amplifier/

I don't have experience with the Ayre, but the e1X is a really nice integrated amp for the money that offers great sonics a lot of flexibility. Features like Tilt Control, various bass management capabilities, high-quality phono section and more allows it to integrate easily into a lot of systems. The Tilt Control and Bass EQ operated in the 64 bit digital domain are absolutely wonderful features to get the sound matching to your taste and room without any sonic degradation. Disclosure: we're a Canadian Bel Canto dealer.

What speakers are you proposing to drive with the unit?  That would factor into the decision.

I will be driving a pair of handcrafted French speakers Klinger Favre:

Klinger Favre audio -english version: Loudspeaker Studio 17 (klinger-favre-english.blogspot.com)

high sensitivity, low impedance, extremely neutral, relatively easy to drive.

I finally abandoned the Bel Canto e1x... impossible to demo where I live (France) and not yet ready to take the 'class D' turn.

I will demo an Ayre EX-8 this week-end alongside an Electrocompaniet ECI 6 DX MKII... in the meanwhile I have a nice bargain for an Ayre AX-7e (still under warranty). With the huge price gap with the EX-8, I can afford a nice DAC/Streamer as the one embedded in the EX-8 might be a little it limited.

Anyone compared the EX-8 vs the AX-7e when it comes to the analog part?

Thanks

I used the AX-7e with an Ayre Codex DAC to drive a pair of Harbeth SHL5+ for many years, When the EX-8 came out my dealer loaned it to me for 3 weeks. The EX-8 with built-in DAC was a dramatic improvement over ther AX-7e.  I compared the amp and DAC separately and each was better than the AX7e/Codex, individually and together. The DAC in the EX8 is much better than the Codex which is really good to begin with.

Eventually I went with the Aesthetix Mimas but the EX-8 was a very close second. The AX-7e is still a great sounding amp for a lot less money than the other 2 but if you are looking for better sound and the budget works for you the EZX-8 is a winner