Well, I added in my new pieces (synergistic speaker wire, Ayre V-5Xe, and Arcam AV8) and the improvement was pretty drastic over my old pieces. (alpha core MI2 speaker wire, Ayre V-3, and Krell Showcase Pre/Pro). The system now has much cleaner sound. Also noticably improved is the air and overall dynamic nature of the music. Bass is much cleaner/tighter. The overall realism of the sound took a big step up. I also recently purchased a Synergistic Research Reference Master Coupler AC X2 for my CD player and a Synergistic Research Master Coupler AC X2 for my amp. They should be here within a week or so. I am hoping that they will make a big improvement over the SignalCable and stock amp cord that I am currently using on those units.

kmiller5 January 18, 2006 18:02

I thought the Magnepan with the Ayre was outstanding. I heard it off of a Sony SCD-1 and was blown away. The 3.6Rs were a bit out of my price range at the time so I decided to pass. I just got an Ayre V-5Xe and haven't gotten a chance to hook it up yet so I am excited to hear the difference over the V-3. I've heard it on other setups and it was quite large.

kmiller5 January 06, 2006 23:38

Kmiller5:

I too love your system. What did you think about the Ayre / Magnepan sound? What model did you audition? I'm on the lookout for a V-3 myself, as I heard the Ayre / Magnepan setup from a dealer in Houston and very much fell in love ;)

mre2007 January 06, 2006 12:52

I would love to know how much difference it would make to upgrade my SignalCable power cords to something like Synergistic Research AC Master Active. Has anyone had any experience with this kind of upgrade? How about adding the quattro power supply?

kmiller5 January 06, 2006 06:07

Very nice system. I've been wondering what kind of system you're putting the SR Cables in. I hope things worked out. I'll bet your system sounds first rate.

sgr January 02, 2006 19:42

It's interesting that you made the comment about the 2Ce Signatures. Until recently, I had an Ayre V-3 pushing the 2Ce Sigs. I found a good deal on a V-5xe so I bought it. I also just purchased some 3As that I am probably going to have upgraded to 3A Sigs.

I've heard the Ayre amps with Thiel, Vandersteen, Paradigm, Gallo, and Magnepan. I liked the Vandersteen and Thiels the best. For the money, I think the 2Ce Sigs are tough to beat. I liked the Thiels, but they are just so power hungry that I decided to pass since I only had the V-3 at the time. I've heard quite a few other speakers as well, but not off an Ayre amp.

I think the Vandersteens are very picky about the amplification, interconnects and wire, and placement. I've heard the 2Ce Sigs run off of some other amps, interconnects, and wire and thought they sounded terrible. I've also heard them setup in such a way that I thought they outperformed $5000+ speakers. With the right setup, I believe the transparency and resolution can be achieved.

I would not say that the 2Ce Sigs do anything fabulously like some other speakers. However, I think, unlike many other speakers, that they do everything well. I've heard speakers with great highs or midrange...others with great bass. To me, none of the full range speakers in the same price category pulled it all together. Just my opinion.

kmiller5 January 02, 2006 06:09

I'm surprised to read that you're driving Vandy 2ce with Ayre V-5. I've heard the v-5 drive the 3A sig, and it sounded excellent, but I'm surprised that someone with the money for V-5s would "only" have Vandy 2ce. Would you say that the 2ce is highly resolved and transparent? I'm wondering what other speakers you've heard with the V-5 and why you went with the 2ce. I currently have the Thiel 1.6 that I'm driving with an Ayre AX-7. THe Thiels are very good to excellent in many areas but the bass is a bit thin. I'd consider the 2ce but don't want to give up resolution and transparency.

[email protected] January 01, 2006 22:48

Anyone have any suggestions on what steps I might take to better my system?

kmiller5 December 30, 2005 23:42