Beetlemania

by rufipennis on Done For Now
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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

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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

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