Ayre & Vandersteen

I have the Ayre integrated and it's the best amp I've had in my system. I have quicksilver silver mono's that I ran with the full function Quick pre and they sounded AWESOME with Vandy's. They are typical tube gear and they are high current and sound like 200watt amps even though they are 90 per side. As much as I loved the Quicks, I'm selling them as I like the ease of the Ayre. AR are a great choice with Vandy's and Quick's are perfect for a pair ot 2c's as they are less and come pretty close to the AR's if set up properly. Ayre and Aestetix are two of the upper amps that mate well. I'm going to be using the same Ayre integrated with new Vandy Treo's as the amp can work magic. You may get different sound from a new amp, but not sure how much better you can go with those speakers. It may be time to look into the 3sigs or even Treo or Quattro depending on your budget. That amp sounds awesome on the Treo or Quattro's as I've heard it on both. Plenty of power unless you listen to ear splitting volume. JMHO

I owned an AX-7e integrated and if the AX-5 sounds anything like the new KX-R Twenty (given that they both use Ayre's new diamond output stage), then you are looking at a significant performance upgrade that imo more than justifies the price differential.

I have heard both on the Vandy Treo's along with Music Hall DAC and AQ cabling throughout. The AX 5 is worlds better, but it's also a lot more money. If money isn't a problem, then I would get the 5 in a heartbeat. I think all Ayre products sound similar, but the differences are huge in regards to the separates from what I have heard. I've heard every Ayre product in top systems and with all types of speakers and they always sound 'right'.

I agree with Oros. I have a Line Magnetic Audio 216IA and it makes the 2CE Sig IIs sing. I also have a Parasound A21 that drives about 300 watts to those speakers as well when I swap them. I cannot tell the difference, both sound great. I would give the edge to the low power LM Audio.

Maybe you should think about an Ayre VX-5 and K-5xe? That's the combo I have with my Vandersteen Quatros and it's fantastic. Remember that the better Vandersteens require filters and that it's better to have separates for that. Not that much more money, but more power and you'll be ready for Treos or Quatros (might as well just buy those because, frankly, subs are a big deal and you'll go nuts trying to figure out where to stick two subs after you realize the Treos need them).