Wow...Doug. I think your tube pre/Bryston 4BST and SF Cremona combination is a stunning one. I have heard nearly all the SF speakers and yours go very well with extremely linear, neutral amps like Krell and Bryston...particularly with a tube pre.
Ayre is very very good...in general, i would say the Ayre is an excellent amp that will probably find greater favor in a wider variety of systems because its treble balance is slightly warmer than the Bryston.
But again, in your system, i think you've got the mix perfectly right. That's a personal judgment.
The one area where the Ayre might edge out your particular generation Bryston is in treble refinement...in addition to being slightly warmer, i also believe (have never compared directly) you may find the Ayre to have a slightly more refined treble.
The question is whether you will like the refinement...or perhaps not be as enamored with the [slight] added touch of warmth to change the balance away from where you are now.
This is a personal choice...if it were up to me, i would probably listen to Ayre with the expectation of keeping Bryston...and perhaps saving any money or using it elsewhere in my system...or upgrading your existing Bryston to the latest 4BSST2 which has a far more refined treble while otherwise maintaining the Bryston sound that i find melds so well with SF.
Also, i suspect that the Bryston bass will drive the Cremonas with greater, more tightfisted control which i think benefits the Cremona which already exudes smooth, mellifluous sound.
You may wish to ask Bryston about the cost. Good luck and pls post your findings/decision! You've got a great system already...enjoy!!!
Ayre is very very good...in general, i would say the Ayre is an excellent amp that will probably find greater favor in a wider variety of systems because its treble balance is slightly warmer than the Bryston.
But again, in your system, i think you've got the mix perfectly right. That's a personal judgment.
The one area where the Ayre might edge out your particular generation Bryston is in treble refinement...in addition to being slightly warmer, i also believe (have never compared directly) you may find the Ayre to have a slightly more refined treble.
The question is whether you will like the refinement...or perhaps not be as enamored with the [slight] added touch of warmth to change the balance away from where you are now.
This is a personal choice...if it were up to me, i would probably listen to Ayre with the expectation of keeping Bryston...and perhaps saving any money or using it elsewhere in my system...or upgrading your existing Bryston to the latest 4BSST2 which has a far more refined treble while otherwise maintaining the Bryston sound that i find melds so well with SF.
Also, i suspect that the Bryston bass will drive the Cremonas with greater, more tightfisted control which i think benefits the Cremona which already exudes smooth, mellifluous sound.
You may wish to ask Bryston about the cost. Good luck and pls post your findings/decision! You've got a great system already...enjoy!!!