Integrateds: Luxman vs. Ayre?

This shootout is between the Luxman 507x and Ayre EX-8 2.0

Currently I own a Luxman 507x. Rather happy with it... but...

I use a separate streamer (Pi/Roon) and DAC (Mytek Brooklyn) for music and an external Anthem processor to feed it HT 2 channel.

My thinking is, the EX-8 would let me eliminate the DAC/streamer AND it has a separate sub out.

The issue is I've not heard the Ayre integrated, only the separates and I really like them, though they do seem to have a distinct sound to them.

Thoughts?

erik_squires01-11-2024 2:19pm

deadhead1000 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 709 posts 01-12-2024 at 06:38am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @ghdprentice Interesting. I like the 'sparkle' that Luxman has. Although I rarely listen to 'heavy' rock and roll, when I do, I have found some amps to be dull sounding. The Luxman sounds wonderful with every type of music, is what I am trying to say. As for the OP - I don't think the Ayre DAC is going to be better then the Mytek. I have yet to hear a 'built-in" DAC that sounds as good as a stand alone one.