Subwoofer for Ayre AX-7e?

jazztherapist

as above, you have several nice subwoofer options. Listen to as many subwoofer(s) as possible to make the best buying decision.
Another +vote for REL.
Happy Listening!

Its real simple
We did this experiment with Epos and 17 other cute boxes
Borrow a pair of Vandersteen 1Cis their Boxless and Phase and time correct design and matching w Ayre will take full advantage of the Ayre's Balanced bridged zero feedback design.
It should instantly be obvious making bass and all else is amazingly better.
Johnny Cash's voice, as well as many other things, will be predictably more genuine, as well while speakers soundstage will seem to disappear and have a completeness that you will never get with a Box and sub.
 With Ayre you are 50 percent there Vandy should make it 100%
  Best,
 JohnnyR
Audio Connection
Vandersteen dealer

In addition to the fact that the AX-7e doesn’t provide volume-controlled outputs from its preamp section, there are significant potential issues if its speaker-level outputs are connected to a sub. Note the following statement in its manual:

The Ayre AX-7e drives the loudspeakers with balanced outputs. Since none of the output terminals are grounded, connecting any of them to ground may result in damage to the amplifier. Do not connect the loudspeaker outputs to any speaker switch-box, accessory, or test equipment that has a common ground connection.

The negative speaker-level input terminal of many and probably most powered subs which provide speaker-level inputs is connected to AC safety ground through a low impedance, or in some cases perhaps even directly. In those cases connecting the negative speaker-level input terminal of the sub to the negative output terminal of the amp risks damage to both the amp and the sub, depending on how circuit ground and AC safety ground are interconnected within both the sub and the amp.

And what would probably be a much worse possibility is that if you were to use just one sub, and if that sub provides inputs for two channels, if you were to connect the sub’s two negative input terminals to the two negative output terminals of the amp the result would most likely be a direct short between the amp’s two negative output terminals.

An approach that would probably work ok, which REL recommends for use in such cases, would be to connect the sub’s negative input terminal(s) to a chassis screw on the amp. Although it is possible that hum could result with that approach, depending on the specific designs that are involved. An even better approach, IMO, would be to solder the wire from the sub’s negative input terminal(s) to the ground shell of an RCA plug, leaving the center pin unconnected, and inserting that plug into an unused RCA connector on the amp.

Regards,
-- Al

So in other words, the Ayre is relatively un-user-friendly for adding subs into my system. At this point, per JohnnyR’s recommendation, should I look at a full-range speaker option and lose the monitors + sub idea? First time i’ve actually had a twinge of regret owning the Ayre. Love the sound, but what's up with that?

((((First time I’ve actually had a twinge of regret owning the Ayre. Love the sound, but what's up with that)))

 The Ayre is Awesome you are only able to move a little bass in a small design speaker.
 Lifestyle speaker systems Sat/Woof have their place are popular, but not rarely special.
 Vandy and Ayre are very sophisticated and specifically designed to be a Form following function designed system firstly.
This means performance is the main design agenda first. Specialty audio has its meaning is that few people care.
Of course, you can follow whats popularly or if you want something special stay open-minded and realize the Advantage why Ayre does its Balance differential zero feedback design and borrow a pair of Vandy 1Cis and engage your own opinion of what Bill Evens or Ray Brown should sound like.
 I predict at that moment you will then see how special the Ayre truly is.
 Best JohnnyR
Audio Connection
Vandersteen/ Ayre dealer