Downsizing from Ayre MX-R monoblocks

Good Luck with that!
;-)

Personally, I think you're going to have to make some major compromises on the sound. You're going from 300 wpc, $19K power amp monoblocks, which were combined with a $9K preamp, (for a combined total of $27K), down to a $5K integrated amp? And given the rarified air, (no pun intended), that the Ayre MX-R amps are at, (the reviews are nothing less than glowing from all reviewers!), I think you're going to need to heed some of the above advice and realize that you are not going to be as happy with anything else. If you can find any way of keeping them, I think your should, (even if that means finding something else to sell, such as a car, or stocks, or a kid or two! I am kidding, (again, no pun intended), on that last one!)

Good Luck and let us know what you decide to do!

Onhwy61

Are people really suggesting that someone cannot put together a great sounding, emotionally stirring system for $10K?

No, actually what we are saying is that having owned such a world class amplifier, (one of the very, very best amps!), the OP WILL notice the difference, and very well may not be satisfied with anything else, especially something that is not in the same class.

Certainly someone who had upgraded to a $10K system from a $3K system, (i.e. triple the price), would quite probably be very happy with it, if not ecstatic. But going from nearly a $30K amplification system to a $10K amplification system, (i.e. one third the price), would certainly be noticeable, and while it might still sound very good, it would not sound the same, and would almost certainly sound less capable.