Integrateds: Luxman vs. Ayre?

Actually, well put. I agree, extended on top and bottom.

Ayre all day.  I am biased, I use an AX 5 and QX5.  But I landed there after many years of a lot of different gear.  Have used with many different speakers, cables, streamers, etc.  It always sounds very good. Also, good company support, unique tech  and US made. Lots of great gear out there.  I like supporting the small, US companies that are committed to high performance audio  and maintain contact with their customers. There's still a few of them around.

Based on more reading it doesn't seem like the DAC in the Ayre integrated is as robust as the one's in the standalone products or other devices. 

8 series Ayre and dac they use in them is very good, and way better than alternatives in its price class (IMO). But yes, QX 5 twenty is better, but it's closer than I thought it would be.  I consider the QX 5 a reference DAC comparable to anything out there.  One man's experience....

My experience with Luxman was that it is a joy to behold, touch, look at and admire.  The sound was rather wooly and flat to my ear in a few systems I tried.  Ayre to me is neutral, nothing more and nothing less.  Probably going to get a warm and fuzzy sound with Luxman and more right to the point with Ayre.  Oh and Ayre is very nicely made stuff and a joy to use as well.