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You ended up with Ayre, what are your speakers?

Like many topics, I’m not asking for buying recommendations.  As an audiophile I’m genuinely curious if you are a current Ayre user, what speakers do you run with them, and how is the synergy?

I've always loved the sound, but never quite was able to swing that way, ending up with Luxman.  Those of you who have gone with Ayre, how are you using them?

 

Best,

 

Erik

erik_squires
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,602 posts
 

sandstone

 

Which Cerious (models) are in your loom?

 

Happy Listening!

nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 

@favresj, I completely agree with you. The AX-7e is a very, very under-appreciated piece of hardware. Moving from an AX-7e to the AX-5/20 is like going from 98.5% to 99.9% (IMHO). I'm not one for exaggeration or hyperbole - while the difference was obvious, I could have been continued to be extremely happy with the AX-7e (particularly since I had Ayre hardware the necessary crossover to use with a pair of Vandersteen Quatro CTs). Drive it with a CX-7e(mp) or a QB-9/20 (balanced) and you're got a match made in heaven.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,274 posts
 

Favresj and nrenter, have either of you heard an EX-8? Wondering if, apart from its digital functionality, is it sonically the equal of the AX-7?

nrenter's avatar
nrenter
766 posts
 

@drubin, unfortunately I have not. 

hifivoice's avatar
hifivoice
3 posts
 

@drubin, I did an extensive comparison between the EX-8 and AX-7e. My source was an Aurender N100H and an Ayre QB-9 Twenty. In a nutshell:

The Ayre EX-8:
- Has a much larger (depth and width) and more stable sound stage. It projects much more accurate, sound sources are better projected and stay in a stable position over the the whole frequency domain.
- Has more body in the sound (80-150Hz). The AX7-e has the tendency to sound more empty in that domain, with the tendency to sound nasal.
- The treble has more brass and definition, without becoming irritating, sharp or pushy/brittle.
- More authority, and very nice combination of dynamics and control.


The AX-7e:
- Sounds nasal due to the lack of energy in the low-mid region.
- Sound is more concentrated and projected between the speakers
- Is relative (!!!) “lifeless”, and has less good timing.


Overall, the beautiful sound timbre of the AX-7 and its holographic projection are outperformed by the EX-8 with more neutrality, without the tendency to become too clinical. On the contrary, it has more grandeur and authority.

I think the EX-8 is clearly sonically better on all aspects. I have the initial version, and awaiting the 2.0 update when it is available again.

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