Ayre EX-8 Integrated Amp & Digital Hub

The Ayre EX-8 integrated amplifier and digital hub is a new piece that has caught my eye (and ears). It’s a state-of-the-art power solution and digital hub to integrate your CD’s, drives, and streaming sources. Among the many Ayre’s exclusive innovations, the Ayre EX-8 includes fully-balanced, zero-feedback (real-time) circuitry throughout for natural musicality.

As part of Ayre’s new “8-Series,” the EX-8 seems to combine Ayre's QX-5 Twenty Digital Hub ($9950), and their AX-5 Twenty integrated amplifier ($12,950), but for a fraction of the price. The basic EX-8 with analog inputs costs only $5950; with a full complement of digital inputs, including USB and Ethernet, comes to $7850.
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Featuring three analog inputs (one balanced) and up to six digital inputs (Ethernet, USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and two Toslink) it’s prepared to be the hub for most any system. With the Ethernet module installed, it is Roon-ready and pre-configured to stream Spotify, Qobuz, and Tidal. The EX-8 will integrate into virtually any home system today and is designed to be upgradeable for inevitable future technologies.

Included is a built-in headphone amplifier, which takes full advantage of the robust Ayre analog linear power supply. Both balanced and unbalanced front panel connectors – driven by Ayre’s exclusive Diamond amplifier circuit – can drive even the most demanding headphones.

Features:

• Zero-feedback, fully-balanced discrete circuitry
• Ayre’s Asynchronous S/PDIF input
• ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip
• Ayre custom digital clock
• Ayre’s Minimum Phase digital filter
• Single-pass 16x oversampling
• Ayre’s Double Diamond output stage
• Ayre’s exclusive Equilock gain stage
• Analog volume control
• Linear analog power supply
• High-speed circuit board material
• Up to six digital inputs: Ethernet, Asynchronous USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Optical (2)
• AyreLink communication system
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A few things I personally like about the Ayre EX-8 integrated amp:

• The Double-Diamond output stage and 100-watt pure linear power supplies seem to handle dynamics quite effortlessly.
• An attractive front-panel screen that usefully displays track information with network-sourced content, and incoming sample rate with its other digital inputs.
• Built in headphone amplifier as mentioned above
• The convenience of an integrated amp, combined with the tasteful innovations of their digital hub to not only be current with today’s digital needs but anticipating future innovations.
• The sound? Silky-smooth, organic, and full. Not forceful, but not overly gentle either. Images lie nicely in the soundstage, which is open and extended.
• Value - as mentioned, the Ayre EX-8 combines previous models at much higher price points, and delivers new innovations and a fresh approach at a price I view as quite a value.

Interested in learning more? Contact me today with questions or to arrange an audition.

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