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Charley Hansen (Ayre) Passed Away

Just got this email from Ayre.  So sad:

With heavy hearts, we regret to inform you that Charles Hansen, founder of Ayre Acoustics, has passed away on November 28th, 2017. Those who knew Charley knew that he was a passionate man who always stood up for what he believed to be right. His family knew him as a loving and dedicated father of his two children. With the passing of Charley, the world has lost one of the most creative and innovative minds in the audio industry and we have lost a good friend.
 
While we can never replace Charley, his spirit lives on in the team at Ayre. We are dedicated to continuing his mission of creating and manufacturing the best sounding audio equipment in the world. Most importantly, we will be there for our friends, partners, and customers who have supported us over the years. If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at any time.

We wish you all the best over the holidays, and please play an album for Charley sometime.
cedargrover
nitewulf
277 posts
 
RIP Charlie, my Ayre K5xeMP is one of the best preamps I've ever heard.
badri
69 posts
 
I am deeply saddened to hear of this. He was certainly idiosyncratic in his approach - but the proof of the pudding is in the eating - or listening in this case. Through all his work with Avalon and Ayre, he certainly proved he knew what he was talking about and pieces that I either own or covet. My condolences to his family and friends.
nutty
1,928 posts
 
Deepest simpathy to the Hansen family and to the folks at Ayre. 

I treasure my CX-7eMP > K-5xeMP. 

N

atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
7,068 posts
 
Charlie, may you rest in peace well deserved.


dgarretson
2,394 posts
 
I found Charlie's recent posts to AA that forcefully challenged the audio print magazines to straighten up, were fascinating and astonishingly impassioned and well-informed.  Those posts are epitaphs to a man who contributed as much and cared as deeply as anyone in the history of high end audio. RIP Charlie.    
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