I would say that it is a greta amp for the price. I tried one in my home while my McIntosh was servicing my MC352 about a year ago. Unfortunately I was loand a new one and it wasn't broke in. I found it a little edgy for my system. I really do want to try one again sometime. I really like Ayre in my experience with my C5xe. I really think that if I could find a good used V1xe though. I have listened to both at a dealer and like it better. Unless I win the lotto the MX-R's are the ultimate. You need to decide whta you want for an amp. Try it in your system any good dealer will allow you that for a at least a day or two. I like the Ayre sound and the Ayre people but I live an hour from Ayre Acoustics. They seem to make thier stuff upgradeable where as most don't.
Ayre V5xe
Would you consider the Ayre V5xe the cream of crop? Stereophile really likes this amp, but I cannot help wondering if they like the value of this inexpensive amp. When I listen to it, soundstage is excelent. It's sweet, presents itself as a good bridge between solid state and tube amp. It would work well with a preamp that excels in lower frequency, or at least the kind of speakers that has its own powered sub. There are way too many amps out there. I just don't know how to rank the V5xe among the better to "best" amplifier.