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I'm looking at a long running Audiogon ad for a used Ayre AX-5 integrated amp. I believe the ad expired once and it's back up again. The seller says,- "This unit was sent to Ayre a few months back for a complete upgrade."
So my question is, what needed upgrading? Were early units less than perfect requiring upgrades? Were they sonic upgrades related to audio or more along the lines of fixing operational problems with the user controls and/or remote ?
- "Ayre Acoustics could also upgrade this unit to the Twenty version for an additional fee."
So after the unit gets it's "complete upgrade", there is yet another upgrade? What is the "Twenty Version"?
I contacted Ayre and asked what upgrades have been available since the release of the AX-5 but the response was kind of a non-response. I was asked for the serial number of the unit in question and only after providing that information would they divulge what upgrades are available.
Edits: 05/10/15Follow Ups:
Probably makes my top 3 (and it *does* run hot!). I've not heard the Twenty version, but like that it runs cooler and is reported to sound even better . . . it's on my upgrade radar when I can afford one.
With the price increases and all, I wonder what the MSRP is on the model Ayre AX-5 Twenty.
I ask because I'm pretty impressed with my recently acquired AX-7e which is one of the very few solid-state integrated amps that I actually enjoy as much as my tube integrated.
I've been told by my dealer that the new MSRP is $13,000.00.
Interestingly, I borrowed the dealer's AX-7e demo while my AX-5 was back at Ayre getting the update. While I couldn't do a head-to-head comparison, I think the AX-7e shares a lot of the same qualities of the AX-5 Twenty. There are three key differences in favor of the AX-5 Twenty, IMO:
- The bass is fuller, with better drive
- It throws a bigger soundstage
- More resolving without affecting tonal balance
Still, I found the AX-7e to be very satisfying overall - it's a very fine integrated.
nt
Here's a link to the press release from Ayre...
http://www.ultrahighendreview.com/ayre-announces-new-twenty-edition-5-series-and-price-increase/
After a head-to-head comparison at my local dealer, I decided to update my AX-5 to the Twenty edition. I put my thoughts about the differences between the original and new in a different post.
I only just got it back last week, so I haven't really listened critically, but so far I like what I'm hearing.
Sure...because the new ones have the upgrade already built in
I bought my dealer's demo AX-5. My dealer told me it had gone back to Ayre but described it as more of a recall than a sonic upgrade. The dealer didn't seem to remember specifically what was done to it, or whether it was up to the current revision. Shortly after I got it, it developed an intermittent hum/buzz in one channel and had to go back to Ayre for warranty repair. Turn-around was very fast. Later on, I found that Stereophile had reviewed it and had the input boards replaced, so I'm guessing that's what was behind the "upgrades".
The new Twenty versions of the 5 series have some trickle-down tech that was introduced in the R series Twenty models. IIRC, the AX-5 Twenty has the "AyreLock" power supply circuit, Double Diamond output stage, and a new DC servo. Probably the biggest change (at least component-wise) is going from the original Diamond circuit with its class A driver stage that produces a lot of heat to the newer Double Diamond stage which runs cooler.
I don't know anyone who has compared the original AX-5 (or VX-5 or KX-5) to the Twenty version, but given the jump in performance with the R series I expect they will be worth upgrading. I've already talked to Ayre about getting in line for the upgrades once they are available.
Anyway, I love this amp. I had always liked Ayre equipment for their handling of high frequencies and overall transparency and soundstaging, but they often sounded just a bit light and soft, particularly in the bass. But the AX-5 has definition in the bass that I hadn't heard before from Ayre. It's a fast sounding amp with lots of resolution but also some sweetness in the midrange and delicacy in the treble.
My local dealer had updated his demo unit to the Twenty and I brought in my AX-5 for a head-to-head. Below were my impressions (posted to another audio forum).
I did manage to make the trek out to the dealer on Friday. I always go into these sorts of things not wanting to hear a difference. Fortunately (or perhaps unfortunately) I forgot the checkbook at home but remembered the music (all CD's) so I didn't really have to make a decision on the spot.
Here's the setup:
Speakers - Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand
Source - Ayre CX-7eMP
Cabling - balanced IC (model unknown), Transparent Audio speaker wire (model unknown), stock power cords
I listened to the AX-5 Twenty while my AX-5 was warming up. First I cued up "I'm Old Fashioned" from Blue Train. I like the track because it's a lovely take on a standard, but also because Trane, Fuller, Drew, and Morgan each get their own solo, making it easy to compare different presentations. At first, I wasn't impressed. The entire track seemed tame, polite even. I chalked it up to not being familiar with most of the components in the demo system - I've got an Ayre C-5xeMP and Vandersteen 3A Signatures at home. I confided to myself (rather foolishly, I might add) that I might not be able to discern a difference at all given the circumstances. Just how wrong that thought was would be apparent just a few tracks later.
Next I played some cuts from Florence + the Machine's sophomore album, Ceremonials. Florence's voice has the distinct quality of being able to test the midrange of any system. Certain passages have a 'hardness' to the recording that makes it difficult to bear at times. I noted that I detected only a shadow of that edge while listening to tracks on the AX-5 Twenty. I also realized that my toes were tapping throughout the songs I played. Could it be that my ears were at last warming up?
I exchanged Florence for The National's Trouble Will Find Me. Matt Berninger's plaintive baritone is a great test for male vocals. Just a smidge too much midbass and it sounds like he's got a perpetual head cold. By now I could definitely sense that the AX-5 Twenty was doing something *different*. I couldn't quite put my finger on it - much less whether I liked it. Still, toes tapped through this one too - a good sign.
Finally, I came to the last track. The ears and the mind were tired of listening so critically. I popped in Chesky's release of Earl Wild's Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. I cued up the finale and sat back. The strings had real flow - the speakers seemingly effortless filling the room with sound. The piano, surprisingly, was almost overpowered by the orchestra, but nevertheless had good heft. I don't know why, but the thought of 'this is sound I could sink my teeth into' sprung to mind. Whenever that happens, I know that my mind is being at least somewhat fooled into thinking I'm listening to the real thing and not some recording.
Now after all this, a veritable roller coaster ride of emotions and expectations, the moment had arrived. We swapped out all the cabling and listened to the tracks in reverse order on the stock AX-5. And there it was, plain as day - a huge difference. If I were blind, I'd swear that I was listening to two different integrated amps. To put it one way, the Twenty has something to its character that seduces you, subtly, perhaps imperceptibly even. The stock AX-5 demands your attention from the outset. It is vivid, vibrant - and possibly just a touch overzealous.
The strings during the piano concerto were now a touch drier sounding - the ease that I heard earlier now muted. The piano shifted forward in the soundstage. The notes flying from Wild's hands had a distinct clarity and the space that it and the rest of the orchestra occupied were well delineated. Yet I couldn't help but feel that something in the presentation was missing overall.
Somewhat disappointed that the stock AX-5 wasn't knocking my socks off, I popped in The National again. Berninger's voice was now highlighted against the rest of the mix and it also seemed the entire presentation lost some depth. Now I had a better handle of what was going on. I hurriedly swapped in Florence to confirm. It seemed that the AX-5 Twenty was now retrieving? adding? in a new layer of 'information' that only from direct comparison could I detect. The tonal balance was warmer and the sound 'rounder'. It seemed something was happening in the upper bass - lower midrange. Thinking back to the Rachmaninoff piece, I now concluded that the updated AX-5 could not only successfully reproduce the orchestra and piano, but also artfully blend in the contribution from the concert hall they were playing in. Paul Chambers' bass in "I'm Old Fashioned" now had real heft. The tradeoff is that impact - e.g. the snap of the snare drum and dynamism (not dynamics) and clarity are subdued to a small degree - characteristics that drew me to the AX-5 to begin with.
So to sum up, it's almost like the difference between a well-calibrated TV and one that's been set up to stand out on the showroom floor. The showroom set's colors really pop next to the calibrated display. But even though the showroom settings will probably get you to fork over your money, under the right conditions or to the right person, the calibrated display will bring more satisfaction. I also think it's a matter of personal taste, if you're happy with the way your AX-5 sounds now, I'd still schedule a comparison at your nearest dealer. You could be leaving with your wallet a little bit lighter - perhaps best to leave the checkbook at home.
This is going to be a tough call.
Last time I talked to my dealer, it sounded like they were not interested in getting demo units of any of the new 5 series. I'll have to check again.
Given your impressions, I think I need to hear the difference for myself. I would welcome a little more roundness or fullness in the upper bass & lower midrange, as long as it doesn't slow things down. And I can always fine tune that via cables. I was also looking forward to a reduction in heat output in the summer. But I would want to make sure I'm not losing any microdynamics or attack.
Not sure about upgrades but Sunny is a very reputable dealer. Calk there and ask Scott Hicks to fill you n\ on that product Abe. Te
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