Looking at the few pictures there are of its guts that are on the web, it's certainly not a conventional design. Everything is pushed back to the rear of the unit, and there are no conventional heatsinks. I wonder what Class it operates in exactly.
Any comments on my Ayre AX-7e vs Ayre EX-8 vs Simaudio Moon 340i Integrated Amplifiers
I am using my 12-year-old Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier in my 2-channel home theatre system including the Ayre CODEX DAC and Quad L12 mini speakers. It sounds very good.
My retailer (same one I purchased the Ayre and Quad speakers from) suggests I consider the new Ayre EX-8 integrated amp-DAC or the Simaudio Moon Neo 340i Integrated amplifier-DAC for improved sound quality.
My concern is my Ayre amplifier is 12+ years old and its circuits are getting old (I do not know).
The Ayre Acoustics EX-8 Pricing below has several input options:
$5,990.00 (analog-only)
$6,950 + Digital Base (S/PDIF)
$7,450 + Digital Base + USB
$7,650 + Digital Base + Network/Ethernet
$7,850 all of the above
The Simaudio Moon 340i pricing below seems more reasonable (to me):
Base Price: $4,950. Options: MM/MC phono stage, $400; DSD DAC, $900; D3PX edition (all options included), $5,800 minus the MM/MC phono stage, $400, my net price is $5,400.
I am researching an upgrade and am looking at my options. The Ayre amp is more expensive than the Simaudio that looks very good. And, yes, I plan on listening to both units shortly. My current Ayre amplifier and CODEX DAC are located in a cabinet and I need something that is about the same size and does not generate much heat. Any new DAC requires an optical (ToslLink) input from my LG OLED 4K HDR 55B6P TV.
Does anyone have any comments, or recommendations, on the Ayre EX-8 or the Simaudio Moon Neo 340i DSD DAC or another integrated amplifier-DAC unit?