Ayre introduces the AX-8 integrated amp

Disappointing to see that so much of the engineering of the integrated is actually the "digital hub" unit. In other words it's the QX-8 with a fairly low powered integrated thrown in to provide an all-in-one lifestyle solution. And *not* the baby brother of the AX-5twenty.

What information are you looking at?

The AX-5 Twenty is, IMO, the baby brother of a KXR/MXR. I doubt they can sell that technology for much cheaper unless they use a completely different volume control . . . but then it's no longer a similar product.

The EX-8 is supposed to be 100 W into 8 ohms, almost certainly doubles that into 4 ohms per Ayre standards. I think the way to look at it is as an updated (or, at least, replacement) AX-7 with an onboard "digital hub". That's not a product that interests me (I already have an AX-5) but I imagine there is a demand for such a thing. I'm more interested to see what they rollout to replace the QB-9.

@hgeifman Yes, I know they announced the QX-8 months ago. It's been long enough ago that I wonder if they've changed any features or scrapped it altogether. I would love a QX-5 but already crunched my budget with the AX-5 last year. I might at least contemplate a QX-8 if it comes in around $4K and promises a notable improvement over the QB-9.

What I would really love is a QB-9 with QX-5 chip, clock, and circuitry. USB only works just fine for me. I have no need for volume control or headphone amp or 10 digital inputs. I guess many potential customers turned away from the QB-9 because it only did one thing but it sure does that one thing very well!

how do you like the AX-5 ? Can this model upgrade to AX-5 twenty?

Holy cow, I freaking love it!

The two best amps I've ever heard are the Ayre MX-R and ARC Reference 250. Well, it's more accurate to say that those were the amps in the two best *systems* I've heard. Anyhow, when I heard an AX-5, I thought it captured most of the magic of the MX-R/KX-R combo. Again, not a proper trial wherein all other factors were equal but that AX-5 driven system was singing superbly well.

I actually have the Twenty version, just too lazy to always type it out. But, yes, original AX-5s can be upgraded to current production (for the price difference between the two versions). I really appreciate that Ayre let's you upgrade at a modest cost rather than have to buy a whole new unit each time the performance is increased.

I'm quite certain it's my last amp.

@nycjlee I would love to hear your system. I imagine it's awesome! I just went from from 2Ce Sig IIs to Thiel CS2.4SE. I am super happy. There is no audible output below about 30 cycles but the sonics are nearly flawless otherwise. Probably image density is not on par with the super-speakers out there (eg, Vandersteen 7), but the resolution, transparency, and neutrality are near SOTA. I'm guessing the Treo CT is close to this level, too.

OK, I see what informed your opinion, thanks.

But, so what? It’s the same chassis because it’s their entry-level line. They have to save money to make it as affordable as possible while maxing performance at the price point (kinda like the plain wrapper lower end of the Vandersteen lineup). I fail to see how you can make any judgement about SQ from those pics. I’ll reserve judgement until I hear one. BTW, a December post over on Audioasylum from Ryan Berry indicates that the final spec will be 100 W into 8 ohms (also, it will be called "EX-8").

There’s no room in that chassis, with all the digital stuff, for an AX-5 type volume control. And if there was, it would add $$$. So now they’d probably have a $10K "baby brother" AX-5. Does that make sense for their product line? I doubt it. Charles Hansen used to post: "Price, performance, features. Pick any two."

Maybe listen with your ears instead of specs (which actually is 100 W)?

I think I read somewhere that there will be more than the two products in the 8-series. I was surprised when I first read about the EX-8 as Charles Hansen had previously shared his reasons for not wanting a DAC in the same box with an integrated (audioasylum?). I suspect there will be some option without the onboard DAC.

@hgeifman Thanks for posting that. Is that what you get if you sign up for updates? I guess I should do that!

The situation at Ayre sounds even better than I was guessing. So, EX-8, QX-8; KX-8 and VX-8 must be standalone preamp and amp with another 2-3 other products. Probably an integrated w/o the onboard DAC (AX-8?).  I wonder if a disc spinner will be one of the others. I wish them well and can't wait to hear the QX-8.

@hgeifman I found a hotlink "Newsletter" on their homepage. I all signed up now.

The original announcement claimed 3 analog inputs (one balanced)
https://www.audiostream.com/content/ayre-ax-8-all-onenes
I'd forgotten that they said VGT technology in the volume control. I wonder what that will look like at this price point. I can't imagine it will resemble what's in the KX-R or KX-5.

The AX-7 was excellent in its price category. I don't know what can better it for less than $5K. The AX-5 is better in every way - more resolution, better bass, more headroom (with the extra power) - but not by as much as the price jump suggests. Likewise, the SQ jump from AX-5 to R-series is notable but nothing close the difference in price. IME, the AX-5 gets close to the horizontal asymptote on the performance/price curve.

I suspect the EX-8 will better the AX-7 by a worthwhile margin. Ayre has learned quite a lot since the AX-7 was introduced. I'm very curious to see how they incorporate the VGT volume control at this price point. I'm expecting a great sounding product.