Integrateds: Luxman vs. Ayre?

In my listening to Ayre vs. Lux, McIntosh, Naim, and Bryston, Ayre comes out on top for transparency, clarity, imaging, and control.  Naim feels more dynamic or punchy, but Ayre out points in all other areas.  This is based on their lower tier separates using their CD player.

For me, Unless you are fine with ugrading, I’d avoid buying a pre/integrated with a DAC Built in. Sure you can always bypass, however, in years time you will hear about the latest and greatest DAC and then you’ll be back to two units again. I'd keep the LUXMan or go with another dedicated PRE without digital, then upgrade your dac as you see fit. 

Ayre DACs can certainly be endgame. I wouldn't be worried about that.

The nice thing about the EX-8 is that it has a pass-through mode which sets the amp to unity gain. A good feature to have since you're integrating it with the MRX540.

Note that the Luxman also has pre-outs which are functionally equivalent to the pre / sub outs on the Ayre.

I used to own several pieces of Ayre gear - AX-5 Twenty, C-5xeMP and QB-9 DSD. All were exceptional. I did find that I gravitated more towards certain types of music genres like classical and jazz when they were in my systems.

It sounds like you will like the Ayre in terms of amplification, and the real question is whether the built-in streamer/DAC will be an acceptable replacement for the Pi/Mytek. Are you using a streamer HAT on the Pi or just native USB? If the latter, you might be okay if the DAC is to your liking. It sounds like Ayre has a good reputation with their DACs as well, so not too much risk there. I have a Pi/Allo/Roon streamer that will require a worthy piece of gear to replace it. 

@deadhead1000 

Yes, many people like the sparkle. That, and all the dials make it look very very high tech… they are very cool looking. Like McIntosh, but in a completely different way.

@retiredfarmer Yes. I was trying to avoid a term that had outright negative connotations. Lots of folks like that sound.
 

I audition systems and components and constantly go over my experiences with my own systems and what others value. My values have changed enormously over the last fifty years as I have learned and then moved my system to sound like real music and away from a “high end” sounding system. I feel I am slowly getting to be able to identify a few “sound types” that appeal to groups folks that pursue high end. But it is still a work in progress.