Ayre AX-5 Integrated Amplifier

List is now $14,995.  Still worth every penny IMO. 

That it is.  Teh only reason I may be selling is to upgrade to the new Vandersteen mono blocks.  This is still, to my ears, the integrated to beat under 20k.  

Make sure to get an in-home trial with the Vandy amps before you part with your AX-5! Pretty short list, IMO, of amps (including separates) better than the AX-5.

I love my AX-5 Twenty.  It’s still not fully broken in and continues to improve even with 150 hours of use.  

@jafant I sold my Luxman last year.  I have my Accuphase E-600 in my office.  

Regards,

greg 

I always demo before purchasing.  YEs, I'll have the VAndy amps in the house to audition.  

ctsooner-
do you own an Ayre amp/integrated amp?
Happy Listening!

Yes I still have the AX5/20 integrated. Loving it. I had the Vandersteen crossover built into it.  I'll probably get his new 15k mono's in teh house and make the switch if they really are as good as a friend has told me they are.  

TY- ctsooner

is the AX5/20 still in production?
Happy Listening!

Yes.  Why wouldn't it be? 

They have even made minor upgrades over time.  Just a great piece.  Ayre has a 7 year plus lifespan on their components.  They just make upgrades like cars that do mid life cycle refreshes.  Don't know how that will be handled now that Charlie is gone (RIP), but they have other great minds at Ayre and I know that they had a bunch of other projects that he was working on.  I know that after I got my amp back from the install of the crossover, they sounded even better.  Subtle, but real changes for sure.

Much Thanks! ctsooner
Happy Listening!

Ctsooner, which pre-amp are you auditioning the vandersteens mono with?   Must be exciting!

 I have the AX5/20 and I love it.  Sounds awesome paired with my Vandersteen Treo CTs. 

now that Charlie is gone (RIP), but they have other great minds at Ayre and I know that they had a bunch of other projects that he was working on.

According to their newsletter, they will release something like 6 new products this year. I doubt they ever released that many even before Hansen's injury.

They have some cool things guys.  I can't say anything as I'm not sure anymore what they will release, but they were working on some crazy cool stuff.  nycjlee, I am talking to a few folks about making me either a Lightspeed volume control as the crossover is built in and I only have a digital input, or a remote relay volume control with only TOTL parts and a great box that will be shielded and the boards would be mounted on vibration control etc...  I'm speaking with a builder about this now.  It's teh only way I can afford the amps. lol

The AX-5 / AX-5 is still a killer Integrated Amp!
Happy New Year

AX-5 Twenty Series: corrected.

LOL...hi Jafant. Hope you are well.  Yes the amp is incredible.  I'm about to post mine as I just got a pair of Vandersteen Mono blocks for the Quatro CT's....I'm sooo pumped, but will miss teh Ayre as it's been a beast.  I'll have to send back to Ayre to remove the built in crossover and they will make sure it's working perfectly.  It will be missed for sure.