Review of Ayre's newest amp, the VX-R from the Soundstage.com...

[BillK]

Of course for the price difference between the MX-R and the Momentums, you could almost try biamping with four MX-Rs.

[psjl]

Originally Posted by BillK

Of course for the price difference between the MX-R and the Momentums, you could almost try biamping with four MX-Rs.

Now that's an idea!

[Tomictime]

Well I now have over 200 listening and break in hours on the VXR and over 600 on the REF 5 SE driving it and feel comfortable making some comments..nothing absolute, mind you.....

Overall impressions: a very relaxed amp with great depth and tonality and no hint of brightness or hardness. Lacks some low end grunt as others have mentioned. Throws a massive soundstange on Krall Live in Paris. Excels at female vocals and strings. Amp runs WARM and IF I know I will be listening later i switch it out of standby. After 8 hours out of standby it is magic.

I am running a Mac MCD 205 frontend
Acoustic Zen Silver Ref balanced
REF 5 SE
A zen balanced to Vandersteen Model 7 crossovers
vandersteen Model 5 a shotgun biwired with AQ type 6

On the question of this vs. MXR , i have a budget and I am convinced the FIRST watt matters more Thank you Mr. Pass ( long ago I had a 400A ).. I also have a cabinet and do not want monoblocs on the floor. MXR is a great chocie tho.

Tell me how i'm supposed to breathe with no Ayre?

[skyblue]

Originally Posted by Tomictime

Overall impressions: a very relaxed amp with great depth and tonality and no hint of brightness or hardness. Lacks some low end grunt as others have mentioned. Throws a massive soundstange on Krall Live in Paris. Excels at female vocals and strings.

Strangely this is how I would describe the Ayre QB9. Great with voices and strings, but could have more grunt at the bottom.

[jfrech]

Originally Posted by Bodhisattva

Tell me how i'm supposed to breathe with no Ayre?

Use you ears ;-)

My MX R's have been quite the surprise for a tube guy..

[veindoc]

how do you think this or mx-r would blend with Tad cr-1?
Nick