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Ayre v Hegel sound

My setup is comprised of a Roon-ready Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC, Ayre DX-5 DSD disc player, Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp and VX-5 Twenty amp driving a pair of KEF Reference 1s augmented below 80 Hz with s pair of acoustic room corrected Velodyne HGS-15s.  The speakers are high-passed at 80 Hz by a Marchand filter.  I've been mulling over the idea of replacing the DAC, preamp, and amp with a Hegel H390 integrated for simplicity and downsizing , but I have no idea what effect that might have on the sound.  Anyone out there know or have an opinion? 

dbphd
mtdining's avatar
mtdining
131 posts
 

I’m spoiled though, I mostly listen to the AX-5 fronted by a Bartók Apex.

jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
578 posts
 

That's a no.

jafant's avatar
jafant
20,261 posts
 

dbphd

 

An AYRE AX-5 Twenty will give you 90% presentation and sound of the KX-5 twenty/VX-5 twenty combo. Specifically, DX-5 (DSD) and AX-5 Twenty makes for a superb combination.

 

Happy Listening!

dbphd OP
1,632 posts
 

If Ayre added streaming to the AX-5 I'd be a buyer.  I really like the Ayre sound.  All my Ayre gear except the amp fits in a single Salamander rack and the amp sits between the speakers, so I think I'll forget about downsizing for now.

boxcarman
460 posts
 

I will agree with  the other Hegel owners.  I really like the amp, but the DAC is not as good. So I am using one that sounds more natural.

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