ayre ex-8 2.0 output transistors

Bias level isn't really a function of transistor count AFAIK, but different transistors may be well biased a lot colder.

The Sanders amplifiers use these as well. 

What the extra output transistors gives you is less of a need for feedback.

PS - I'm confident I'm my resply, above, but it's also fair to say, NEVER JUDGE AN AMP BY IT"S WEIGHT! :-)

Personally a huge Ayre fan, but it's got such a unique sound signature you will easilly hear which of those two amps you really want to take home.

Ayer reports "The overall Ayre EX-8 2.0 upgrade doubled the number of output devices and capacitance for the output stage of the amplifier.  The more capacitance, the better, and the doubled number of devices helps the EX-8 2.0 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”.

I hope this help. 

i am a fan of both Ayre and Aesthetix, i have heard both  ( Ayre 1.0 ) at some length driving Vandersteen TREO-CT , both are excellent, well engineered and supported products. I wouldn’t as Erik pointed out well, be making a choice based on weight…. I own gear from both brands, so count me biased…