Tír Na HiFi

Has anybody here any experience with the AYRE AX-5 Integrated amplifier?

I am currently using a Classé CP-65/Classé CAM-350s/Ayre P-5xe Phono combination on the amplification side. Overall, that amounts to quite a lot of 'boxes' and ideally I would like to reduce the clutter. My listening space is small! A friend uses a 9k Lavardin integrated and has really good sound from a very small amplifier, visually anyway.

I have read the AYRE AX-5 reviews and all have been very favourable and the fact that it has 4 Balanced Inputs suits me well. This amplifier was on display in Munich at the High End Show last May but that was it, it was not part of any system from which one could appraise its sound.

If anybody here has any information or impressions on how this amplifier sounds, I would like to hear what you have to say. For the record my other components are SME 20/SME V/LYRA SKALA; HYPERION 938 SPEAKERS; AYRE C5xeMP digital player and an ALESIS MASTERLINK ml-9600 digital recorder. I am currently using MOGAMI Balanced interconnects.

Cloney Audio used to sell Ayre -- maybe you could arrange a demo ? James

I know I heard it a long time ago and it was on a mental list of mine for ages, but for how it compares to others I can't really say. I have to be honest and say that I would consider the CAM-350s as very high-end, and they rate as some of my favourite amps...

james wrote:Cloney Audio used to sell Ayre -- maybe you could arrange a demo ? James

They still do as far as I know, James! They probably would not have a demo model in house though. It would also mean a 300 mile round trip for me which might not be so tempting. I intend to contact Noel in due course but I will need to move my beloved Classé amplifiers on first .. or not. The 350s still sound very nice and are in top condition. What's more they were built in Canada whereas the latest Classé equipment is mostly made in China, as far as I know.

I may give Nigel Crump of Symmetry in the U.K. (he's the U.K. importer for Ayre) a call in advance of doing anything. I did that previously and I found him very helpful. I then bought the P5xe and the C5xeMP from Noel.

Hi Satrus,
Best of luck but you should probably try to compare both amps at home before making the change.
James