Owners of Vandersteen 2CE & Ayre Ax7e...

*all the comments...

Thanks for all them comments. I have an ax7e on the way to give it a whirl. To answer beetlemania... no, no way do I listen at concert levels. 

Belles and Ayre are both great matches with Vandersteen.
Aesthetix, too.
If you get a Vandy sub or two, you will relieve the amp of the heavy work, as well as gain the lower notes. Everything will sound more full bodied.
I just sold my 2wq's and am waiting for my Sub3's to arrive.
I have to say I do notice the lack of bass-subtle, but noticeable.
Probably not what you wanted to read, but I thought it something you should know.
Bob

I ran an AX-7e into 2Ce Sig IIs for about 7 years. My room is about 18x19 with vaulted ceiling and two large openings on rear wall. I was super happy. I would describe the sound as neutral and detailed. One caution is that the AX-7 is not a good match with the inefficient 2Ces if you like to listen loudly (peaks >95 dB; https://www.audioasylum.com/mhtml/m.html?forum=speakers&n=255226&highlight=). Circa 2015, I used some inheritance money to move up to an AX-5 Twenty. This amp is more powerful with greater resolution, quieter noise floor, and better bass control. But it better be given the difference in price. Soon, I realized the Vandersteens were the weak link in my system and I moved on to something more fitting for the AX-5s strengths.

I guess I’m saying the AX-7e is a good sonic match for the 2Ce although you should look elsewhere if you listen to Rush at concert SPLs.

So what happened to the Creek?

The Belles Aria integrated would be a good match.

@jsbach1685 

so, what seems to be the issue then ?

This is true. When I had my 2C’s, I ran them in the same 11x14 room with a creek 4330se and naim cd3.5 cd player. That was a dream pairing and sounded wonderful together. The 4330se was 50 wpc and it too had a passive pre stage. 

@jsbach1685 

I asked about room size as I’ve also read that certain owners have reported the ax7e not having quite enough gusto to run the 2CE’s.

 
and how big were those rooms ?    your room is not all that big ( 11 x 14 ) and I am sure you are not going to be listening at high levels

jsbach1685

The AYRE will sound best using balanced XLR connections.

Happy Listening!

You might want to look at the Belles Aria which seems to be a good match to the 2CE’s. 

joey54,That was another question I forgot to ask... XLR vs RCA. I’ve read too that the ax7e sounds best when used with balanced gear. Mine other gear is all RCA. 
riley804,I asked about room size as I’ve also read that certain owners have reported the ax7e not having quite enough gusto to run the 2CE’s. Seems that may be the case. I used to run a Naim XS integrated on my previous 2C’s and it was 60wpc and had major gusto. I sold the 2C’s over the summer and got these 2CE sigs. The 2C’s were laid back in the mids/highs compared to the 2CE’s. So much of a difference that I find myself looking for a laid back integrated that is warm and “tubelike.” I demoed  a Musical Fidelity A5, but it seemed a little cold or sterile. I think the A300 or A308 were the warmer sounding models of the A series. Right now I’m using my buddy’s krell 400xi until I find something. It sounds good, but it too is bit forward.  

I am a huge Ayre fan it has a unique sound, it isn't exactly warm so much as quiet. Extremely calm.

You may want to contrast it to Luxman.  I have a Luxman, but Ayre is the other similarly prices Amp I'd have a tough time picking between.

My gut says you will need more power than the AX7e can give you for the 2CE's. I love the AX7e though and used it successfully for years with Harbeth SHL5+'s. The thing is that it needs balanced sources to sound its best. Once I updated my Digital Source to the Ayre Codex it really sounded great. The Codex is also balanced. I don't have any experience with the irDac but I did try running my Arcam Blink directly into the AX7 single-ended and it just didn't have the drive I needed for a satisfying listening experience.

As for the sound with the 2CE's I recommend contacting JohnnyR at the Audio Connection in Verona NJ to speak to the combination of this amp and speakers. He is an Ayre dealer and probably knows more about Vandersteen speakers than anyone outside of Vandersteen.

Good Luck!

was room size an issue with the other equipment you have had ?

i can see equipment/ speakers not being a good match but have never heard where equipment didn’t work because of the size of the room.