AYRE ACOUSTICS
We use this system to undermine the over-hyped and overpriced brand names people ask us why we don’t stock. It gives a taste of Ayre’s two higher levels, the series 5 components, and hints at the series 1 gear.
| AYRE CX-7 CD Player |
£2,195 |
| AYRE AX-7 Integrated amplifier |
£1,995 |
| Pro-Ac Tablet Ref. Signature 8 |
£799 |
Total |
£4,989 |
ProAc Tablette Ref. 8 Signature Loudspeakers / positivefeedback.com
review extract / www.positive-feedback.com/Issue18/proactablette.htm
“The appearance of the Reference 8 Signatures is commensurate
with their price, and they exude the highest level of quality. My Signatures
had the ebony finish, and were simply exquisite. While grille cloths
are included, it's an insult to the speakers to cover up their pretty
faces.
Over the years, I have sometimes found myself falling into the trap of
listening to the sound of a recording rather than to the music. The Signatures
had a sweetness that made it easy for me to forget about the recording
and concentrate on the musical message. There is a common belief that
musicality and accuracy are antithetical, but the ProAcs prove that these
two qualities can coexist.
The Signatures' imaging and soundstaging abilities were stunning. the
Signatures utterly disappeared, leaving nothing but a huge soundstage
between, behind, and above them. Even on less polished fare, like the
White Stripes, there was a tactile quality to Jack White's singing and
guitar playing that drew me right into the garagey atmosphere
of the album.
These are keepers. Listen to a properly-set-up pair and see if you don't
agree.”
Mismatching is the road to audio hell, and a road that is congested.
Let e-Bay and Audiogon be the answer to other peoples’ prayers!
Here is an inner track for audiophiles who have forgotten - or novices who have never known - how good a dedicated system can be. Most of the following components have won awards.
There is no such thing as “affordable high-end” so we commence at systems from £3,000. The vital ingredient we seek is a synergy or “signal transfer” which yields emotional involvement, “magic,” musicality, the X-factor; whatever you call it, it isn’t subtle.
Mark Levinson 326S Baby version
of the Ref 32 Pre-amp at a reasonable cost of £6,995. Like
most technologies the benefits of the research for the reference
products trickle down into more affordable
products like the 326s Pre-amp. You get alot of the quality of
its bigger brother, providing a jump in the quality available at
this price. |
Ayre Acoustics C-5xe Universal Disk
Player Stereophile Extract: "It ought to be fairly obvious
that I found the Ayre C-5xe more than satisfactory. I didn't
expect it to disappoint, but I was unprepared for just how much
it delighted me. I've heard a lot of impressive audio components
over the years, but I've heard very few that afforded me greater
musical pleasure or sent me on as many voyages of musical discovery
through discs I thought I knew well." - Wes Phillips,
July, 2005 |
Gryphon Diablo The ultimate
reference integrated amplifier at £6100. The Gryphon sonic magic
in a reasonable sized and georgeous case, you must hear this as
it puts most pre power combo's to shame, pure music at its best. |
Brinkmann LaGrange
turntableThe Brinkmann LaGrange
turntable is without a doubt the best source component I have ever
had the
chance to enjoy over an extended period of time. It represents
a level of perfection and emotional
connection to music that I have never heard before. - Danny Kaey extract
from Positive Feedback |
Vac Renaissance Signature II "With
the "right supporting cast," the VAC Renaissance Signature
Mk.II is the best preamp I've auditioned. Its resolution of low-level
spatial, temporal, and timbral detail, and its uncanny coherence
across the realms of space, frequency, and loudness, put it in
a class by itself. These strengths made listening to a musical
performance through the Signature a more moving experience for
me, and one step closer to the real thing.."
- Stereophile Extract - Brian Damkroger |
ProAc D100 The imposing new Response
D100 takes on the mantle of flagship model from our legendary Response
Four, which has delighted discerning audiophiles for the last twelve
years.
The D100's produce stunning music, effortlessly. The enhanced
sensitivity extracts the tiniest detail from any recording without
brightness or exaggeration. Greater bandwidth creates a huge soundstage,
drawing in the listener and creating a concert hall experience,
where the loudspeakers seem to melt from the scene.. |
