The synergy of Ayre a.k.a. the

Dont know the answer to #2, but the the cables are $900.00 a pr. for 1M $1200.00 for 1.5M. I talked to Ayre thursday so this should be current. I have tried all Cardas Golden Ref. and Golden Cross. Didnt like either by them self or combos of the two at all. Also a variety of different Audioquest and other combos and the Audioquest Panthers run balanced everywhere but between the Pre and amp where I am using Audioquest Cheetahs has made me the happiest. Speakers cables are the Mont Blancs for now but will go to the Volcanos soon.

You should be able to get the MSRP from your dealer or simply call either Steve or Michael at Ayre directly (303.442.7300 x-233 for Steve or x-223 for Michael). The prices depend entirely on the length. From memory, however, the first meter of the Signature IC is $950, with $250 per half-meter thereafter. I know a 1 meter pair of the speaker cable is $1250 (a short length, but one reason for monoblocks is to keep speaker cables really short), and it may again be $250 a half meter on top of that.

In my opinion Ayre and Vandersteen have a real synergy. I know from prior discussions that several customers have had Ayre modify the AX-7e at the factory to mate with Vandersteens by internally inserting the necessary resistors to roll-off the base the same way Vandersteen's external crossover does. I don't know the cost, but I assume it is fair and I'm sure the results are great.

Good luck. - Pete -

Thanks for the responses. I haven't contactly my local dealer becasue 1) I haven't decided if I'll buy new or used (and won't waste a local dealer's time if I don't intend to purchase from a local retailer), and 2) I refuse to purchase from the local Ayre retailer (a personal friend had a bad experience there with a turntable / arm / cart purchase). When it's time to pull the trigger, I'll travel to the 2nd closest Ayre dealer (which is 5 hours away). One positive thing about that inconvienence is that they also cary Vandersteen (and I often fly in to that city on business).

I've noticed the V-5xe and K-5xe move *very* quickly here on the 'gon. If hesitate, you won't get the goods. IMHO, that also speaks highly for Ayre equipment. You never see Ayre interconnects up for sale - Is that just because there aren't that many in circulation?

"In my opinion Ayre and Vandersteen have a real synergy."

This also is my opinion, though other speakers I've heard with Ayre sound pretty good, too. I've heard this from other people whose opinion I respect. This greatly influenced my decision to get the Sig IIs.

I have had the chance to spend some time in front of a system of CX-7E > K-5XE > V-5XE > Quatro. This is an awesome system that is so musical and listenable. Cables were JPS (not sure which) from start to finsh. Two others I have heard that consist of Ayre & Thiel that I like even more have been my system I'm using now, and also one that uses the C-5XE > K-1XE > MX-R amps > Thiel 2.4.
The Ayre gear and either of these speaker lines (Thiel or Vandersteen) are both very good together. Not sure about other lines but if your using the Thiel or vandersteens the Ayre stuff should be on your list for gear to put in front of them. I can also agree with one of the above posters about everytime I have added another piece of Ayre into the chain things have gotten much better. the amps are the most noticable as far as finalizing the added touches of warmth and smoothness to my system.
If there were no MX-Rs made I would stay with the Ayre V-1XE and not even think about another amp in my system. But knowing how much my CS7.2s love power, I know they will get better with the monoblocks.
I have heard the V-1XE and MX-Rs side by side with the 2.4s and they are in a different league on all fronts over the already great V-1XE. This is coming from someone who has never had an all SS system until now.(and never thought I could live with one)