Here is an old thread. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1141898495&read&keyw&zzaesthetix In it it is claimed that Jim at Aesthetix at one time did use Ayre equipment in conjunction with his own. There is an old thread about a compatibility problem with some of the older stuff, and then Charles Hansen (Ayre) chimes in and explains an old bug that has been eliminated. Anyway Ayre might end up on your short list, in which case this old thread may prove useful.
