I've been looking for a phono stage. I tried the Graham Slee Era Gold Reflex and liked it very much. Yesterday, I borrowed a burned in P-5xe from my dealer. Because my TT is being serviced an fitted with a better tonearm, I borrowed a neighbours TT. All that I have to say is wow! The Ayre is really fabulous. Lush sounds, fabulous soundstage, very detailed indeed and I have no idea what people are speaking of when they mention brightness. I could (will) listen to this all day. Lee Morgan "Search for the New Land" I can hear the brushes and high hats with perfect clarity and the bass is so tight (mind you - I'm using an Ayre pre and power setup). One of my reference albums is Sonny Rollins "Way out West" Rollins between Rollins sax and the drum kit, this group has the whole dynamic range covered and it can truly put a TT and a phonostage through their paces. Done and dusted. I'm buying this. I'll get a new boxed model so, I expect some breakin period. I'll let you all know.
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