Ayre AX-7e or Edge G3?

While I have not heard the AX-7e the Edge G3 is the best solid state integrated I have had in my system. I wrote a review of the Mystere ia21 integrated where I also wrote a brief review of the G3. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ramps&1229402153&read&3&zzlArch2&&

Very open and spacious sounding. As a side note I used the Ayre CX-7e CD player with the G3 again with great results.

Arch2,

Thanks for your response. I actually read your review and thought it very helpful and enlightening. However didn't you say that after a while you found yourself listening less and less with the G3 in your system?

I've been down that road myself, and it's usually a sign that the system is not emotionally involving enough to keep us sufficiently interested. Nothing worse than not listening.

I'm looking for an integrated that while having the major strengths of good soundstaging, focus, detail etc, also has an organic sound that draws you in. I've heard Naim products described this way, and am seriously considering either a Nait 5i-2 or the new XS. It's just that after reading both your review and John Brazier's on Positive Feedback, the Edge seemed like a good candidate.

Thanks again for your comments and help.

Kenl,
Good comments. For me, and that's really what you need to keep in mind because my wants in the way of sound are going to be different than others, is not so much an issue with the G3 being sterile but an issue with solid state versus tubes. The few tubed components I have owned I have made a better connection with the music than with solid state even though solid state really is superior in a number of ways (bass response and focus are two that come to mind).

As I mentioned my goal in sound quality was the fast, open and tight sound and I will still 100% back up the statement that the G3 is the best solid state component I have had in my system (and that includes a pretty long list of separates as well). In fact, it came closest to having the palpable images that I refer to and now find so important in the sound. It's just tubes do that better for me in the price range of the components I can afford. To be perfectly honest if I found a component sterile it would be the Rowland I mentioned but I don't mean to slam it as a product because it too had some nice qualities.

Something else to keep in mind with my comments is the price range of products I'm talking about and the fact that I have pretty efficient and revealing speakers with limited bass response.

I have no familiarity with the Naim products but back to your original comparison there are many on this site that have had really positive comments about the Ayre AX-7e also. Good luck with whatever you choose.