Description

I made the switch from mid-fi to hi-fi after I heard the Ayre AX-7 in 2002 - it captured most of the the sound of a V-5/K-5 combo but at a price within my budget. I've been adding to the system ever since and am now done, maybe forever. I really like my system. The soundstage is huge and inviting, plenty of bass with good, if not SOTA, definition, and natural timbres. My only significant complaint is a slightly veiled quality to voices. I just switched from Cardas NR with jumpers to bi-wire pair of Ayre Sigs. I'm hoping that'll open up the mid-range - I'll report back and plan to review the 2ce Sig IIs which I think are the best buy in audio.
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Components Toggle details

    • Ayre Acoustics AX-7e
    Upgraded to "e" status. The cornerstone of my system. Most of the sound of V-5/K-5 combo at a fraction of the cost!
    • Vandersteen 2ce
    2ce Signature II: with tweeter and midrange driver from 3A - my vote for best buy in high-end audio!
    • Ayre CX-7e
    Upgraded to "e" version - well worth it! To my ears, it rivals the sound of vinyl.
    • Kenwood KD-500
    Tonearm wiring replaced with Cardas
    • Benz Micro ACE
    Moving coil cartridge: medium (clear)
    • Kenwood KT-7500
    Modified as per fmtunerinfo.com mods plus Cardas wiring in output stage.
    • Ayre Acoustics P-5x
    Phono pre-amp. I got a great deal on this used unit and feel fortunate to have a phono amp of this caliber.
    • Ayre Signature Series
    1 m; CX-7e
    • Ayre Signature Series
    2.5 m, terminated with Cardas spades
    • Ayre L-5xe
    AC line filter
    • Cardas Golden Reference
    1 m, XLR from phono to amp
    • Cardas Golden
    2 m (on AX-7 and CX-7, stock cords elsewhere)

Comments 17

Owner
Hi Sparks81

Yes, I still use and like the Ayre cabling. I use GR with my phono pre-amp and Ayre with my DAC. I've never bothered to swamp them and compare, so I can't comment other than both are *way* better than the radioshack and monster cabling they replaced.

The speakers cables made a very nice difference in my system. The Vandersteens were a bit veiled in the midrange (I was using a single run of Neutral Ref w/ a cheap jumper) and bi-cabling w/ Ayre really cleared things up nicely.

My understanding is the Ayre IC and speakers cables are identical to GR except for the jacket - a change I've been told makes a sonic difference.

rufipennis

Beetlemania, Nice system! I, too, have Ayre K1xe, V1xe, D1xe, and Linn Espek speakers. Tying everything together is Cardas Golden Reference for interconnect, speaker and power cords. I like them a lot. But, I've been wondering about the Ayre interconnect and speaker cables. Do u still like and use them? How do they differ from Golden Reference. Thanks.
sparks81

sparks81

I've not heard the Treos, but can vouch for the Quatros. Worth the leap!

soundseeker

Owner
I swapped out the CX-7 for a QB-9 DAC last year. Computer audio is kind of a PITA compared to putting a silver disc into a CDP, but I'm really enjoying hi-res files even if they are only a small proportion of my music. My system sounds better than ever. The QB-9 is supposed to get an update soon and I'm sure I'll have the work done on my unit. The upgrade is DSD-capable, supposedly with a new DAC chip and possible power supply upgrades.

Then, I need to figure out how to pay for the new Ayre AX-5 integrated and Vandersteen Treos or Quatros. That would be a stupid good system!

rufipennis

Owner
Rhljazz wrote: "What was the biggest change to the digital sound by adding the new filter?"

Before the MP upgrade, I had read that it would give voices more body. I certainly heard that. But what really struck me was how the soundstage seems so much bigger in every dimension. There seems to be more Ayre (sorry, couldn't resist) around each voice and instrument. There is also a bit more resolution of low level detail. Finally, there is a quality that I couldn't put a word to until I read Wes Philips review of the MP upgrade for the C5-xe: relaxed.

All in all, a very musical upgrade that I highly recommend to owners of CX-7s and C-5s. Money well spent. That's one thing I really like about Ayre: upgrades to current specs for a very reasonable price.

rufipennis

Nice looking room. I always liked the Vandersteen speakers. What a nice place to listen to them.

gary17

Good looking system and room. What was the biggest change to the digital sound by adding the new filter?

rhljazz

Owner
Upgraded the CX-7e to the "MP" digital filter - sweet! This thing goes head-to-head with my analog rig!

Speaking of my analog rig, I also added a DIY sandbox for TT isolation. That made a very nice improvement for about $5! Before that, I thought the CDP outperformed my analog rig in the lower octaves - not anymore.

rufipennis

What a cool system and beautiful looking room. I have 3A sigs and also love the Vandy sound. They keep surprising me every time I upgrade the Vandys let me hear it, the sound just gets better and better!!! Or in some cases worse and worse but they let you hear it!!!

samhar

Owner
I've had two people ask me if the AX-7e has enough power to drive the relatively inefficient Vandersteens. For my tastes, system and room (~3700 cu ft), the answer is yes. See my review on AA for more details. The first gentleman who contacted me ended up getting an AX-7e to drive his 2 Sig IIs; he reported back that he also found the AX-7e to be more than adequate. That being said, IF you prefer very high SPLs (ala concert-level reproduction of The Who), this is probably is NOT the combo for you.

rufipennis

Owner
Also, the Ayre speaker cables did the trick on my Vandies - MUCH more open and transparent presentation to the midrange (see my 2CE Sig II review on AudioAsylum).

rufipennis

Owner
System edited: Changed my phono ICs from Monster POS to Cardas Golden. In additin to being a much better cable, this also let's me take advantage of the balanced outs on my P-5. All-in-all, a very nice sonic improvement. More recently, I added the Ayre line filter to my system. Wow, a nice improvement in clarity, resolution, and musical "involvement" (see my full review at AudioAsylum). I am VERY happy with my system now - I never thought I'd have this good of a system in my own living room! I really am done for now. If I really get the itch to upgrade again, I may look at getting balanced phono cable for the TT.

rufipennis

Owner
My Benz ACE has 0.8 mV output - no problem with the P-5. The P-5 has three gain settings which the user sets depending on cart output (balanced and unbalanced connections are 6 bd different); I doubt there's a cartridge out there that the Ayre wouldn't accomodate.

rufipennis

The store I bought the Ayre from is also a Rega dealer, good guy, I never feel like I'm being sold anything. When I was buying the Ayre I asked him if he would check out my turntable for alignment etc and he said sure. When I picked it up he said that in order to hear a difference I would have to go up to a Rega P3 with the new Benz cart, total about $1k. Of course I would then need a new phono stage. Is the Ayre P-5x compatible with .5 output?

jdgjr

Owner
Jdgjr: Yeah, I have a very modest investment in my turntable. I don't have any experience directly comparing my old direct drive to the new "audiophile" rigs but my impression is that you've got to spend $2K + on a modern table to beat a Japanese 'table from 20-30 years ago. Check kabusa.com for some ideas . . . I just replaced my Monster RCA interconnects for some used Cardas Golden XLRs on the P-5x. Last night, I put on some Dire Straits that I hadn't played in years. WOW! My system is really singing and I might have to rethink my opinion that vinyl and digital are more similar than different.

rufipennis

Nice gear and a sharp looking room you have to enjoy it in, it looks great! My dad runs Audioquest wire with his Vandy's and it sounds fantastic.

chadnliz

Very nice. I recently got the CX-7e and love it. Still using Parasound separates for amplification but plan to replace them with the AX-7e next year. Would also love to upgrade my vinyl rig but just not sure where to spend the money. Maybe I should keep my inexpensive turntable and put good wires in it and spend the money on the phono pre and carttridge, as you have done. Nice job.

jdgjr

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