Ayre Integrated Amp vs. Ayre 5 Series Separates

Thanks! for sharing- guys.

I have Vandersteen Treo's, Empirical Audio OSDE/SE fully upgraded, a Steve Nugent build music server with SSD and Paul Hynes power supply with all high rez music, Basis TT with Benz Glider, Aesthetix Rhea phono.  All AQ balanced cables.  

I started out with the Ayre AX7e and liked it, but didn't love it.  I then upgraded to the AX5/Twenty and am blown away by the difference.  I am intimately familiar with the separates and they also a a tremendous upgrade over the 7.  In all honesty, I don't love the 7e.  It just doesn't jump for me and doesn't have the macro or micro dynamics that the other Ayre amps have in spades.  Again, the 7 is better than many of the other amps in it's price range.  I ran the 7 with my Proac Supertowers (with new drivers from the newer series with all new upgraded crossovers and special internal wiring) and it was a nice match, but again, not in the same league as the others.  Not sure if that helps or not.  Go listen

Just an observation my system is identical to yours albeit not e versions CX and AX7 but I do feel the 2.5's could easily benefit from more power.

Yes. I had AX-7e and now use K-5xe + V-5xe (both are for sale as I try to finance a new home). The pre-power combo is MUCH MUCH better than the integrated which is nice but delivers approx. just 70% of the performance of the separates. If you modifiy both units the integrated falls back another 10%.