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Feedback on Ayre and Aesthetix with Vandersteen 5As

Hello,

I am looking to upgrade my two channel system. This will also be part of home theater setup. (75% two channel listening vs 25% movies). Currently I am running Vandersteen 5a (non-carbon) with a Bryston amp (9bsst) and Marantz preamp (8801).  I have narrowed it down to two brands, Aesthetix - Atlas & Calypso or Ayre-  KX-5 twenty & VX-5 twenty. I do not have a local dealer for these brands but I was able to listen to both while out of town hooked up to the Vandersteen 5a carbons. They both sounded amazing. I felt the Aesthetix had a warmer laid back sound and the Ayre had a more revealing, forward sound. I am looking for some feedback on your experiences with these brands or things I should be thinking about. Both retail for around the same cost but I am able to get Aesthetix combo for less. My listening preferences are all over the board from classic rock (Pink Floyd, CSN, Elton John) to jazz and classical/acoustic music.

Thanks
Rob
robertkat

Showing 3 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Rob,
You described the listening experience of both as "amazing ". If that's truly your impression I'd buy the Aesthetix as it is available for the better price. Both brands are well regarded and have enthusiastic owners. 
Charles, 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Hello ctsooner,

Believe me I understand your argument for SS rather than tubes particularly in regard to power amplifiers. It has been made multiple times. You have found obvious satisfaction with your SS Ayre and that's good for you.  Hasn't worked out that way for me, no SS amp thus far sounds like my SET amp. Horses for courses as is often said.

In the case of the OP he's interested in the Aesthetix  Atlas which has a bipolar driver and output stage (tube input stage ) so essentially this is a SS output stage amplifier. He found it equal to the Ayre (both amazing he said). So he may as well get the lesser cost option in this case. Granted his preamp would be tubed but those small signal tubes are pretty much low maintenance . It seems by his initial post that he'd be thrilled will either brand of amplifier.
Charles,
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,996 posts
 
Robert,
If the tubed  components  didn't sound any better than Ayre during you latest audition and you have reservations concerning tubes, you should just get the Ayre components. Tubes only make sense if you clearly hear /believe that they sound better than transistors. 
Charles, 
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