Feedback on new Ayre MX-R Monoblocks

Amen, Gerrym5. You gave the best summary of this situation.

I just want to add that I am also a very happy MX-R owner. I auditioned McIntosh 501, ARC Ref-210 and Ayre MX-R and on my ML Summits the Ayre was a keeper. All these amps are excellent. Just a matter of system matching and individual taste......Have fun....Enjoy the music....Steve

Just an update...the Ayre MX-R monoblocks are doing wonderfully well at natural sound...big improvement moving from Wilson to the Rockports...an even more musical match...

I'm a dealer, but not for Ayre. I was very impressed with the new Ayre monos on Vandersteen Quatros. One of the best solid state sounds I have heard. There was not a hint of dry or lifeless sound.

Another amp that uses the same Thermal Trak bipolar transistors is the hybrid ARC HD220 at $8995 and 220 w/ch. It's vacuum tube input stage gives it a bit more tube character than the Ayre. BTW, I am a dealer for ARC, Vandersteen and Linn.

Take the Shindo out of the mix and then listen to the Ayre if you want to hear it's true character. Guaranteed the presentation will be completely different. Whether it is good or bad depends on your ear and what they put in place of the Shindo Pre. Very few preamps will match up to a Shindo.