Ayre vs Bel Canto?

I have no direct experience with AYRE amps, but have reviewed Bel Canto REF1000 Mk2, and more recently Ref500M on Positive Feedback. The Ref500M article is a comparative review discussing audible differences with Ref1000 Mk.2 (also called Ref1000M). The article can be found at:
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue50/bel_canto500.htm

G.

I have not heard Ayre, but tell more about what specifically you like and not about the BC in comparison to the Ayre and I might offer an opinion regarding how the ref1000M2 might compare.

As just an injection of advice only. I would wait till you get your Ayre back. As mentioned it was failing and may have been deteriating the sound quality of a period of time. And as we grow older a day at a time, we don't recognize the differences as much as one whom hasn't seen us in two to three years. You may find once the repaired Ayre is back in your system that the differences are not as wide spread as you notice now. I am sure your dealer may allow you to do an in home A-B if he sees an opportunity for a sale.

I would agree with Theo's advice. I've had both Bel Canto 1000's (original version) and the VX5e in my system and personally preferred the Ayre there. Music seemed to have more weight and substance as I recall, BUT I did NOT do a direct comparison and it was not with the newer 1000M. I would wait and compare yourself to your repaired Ayre before making any commitments.

Thanks all.

The S300 has much better imaging, layering and soundstage depth and more natural height. It's more stable in that area as well. It's more detailed in mid bass. Compared to the V5Xe though, the S300 is a bit grainy, lacks some very low low end and sweetness of the mids and highs and is a touch on the cool side. With the S300 though I find I don't have to crank the volume to get things going, where with the Ayre I listen to at a good 10db higher... it seems to lack low volume resolve, but at high volume it sometimes becomes too forward and a bit screechy.

So I don't know. It was just in for repair of the left ch cutting in and out in the fall... and it's the left ch that has failed completely now this time. So I'm not sure what is going on.

I won't toss it to the wayside... but I am curious now if the BCs are something I should consider demoing. The imaging on the S300 is almost magical, the Ayre has never imaged that good.