2. amps-preamps
  3. 1232229497

Simaudio I5 to separates?

I've been considering whether moving from my I5 to separates would be a worthwhile move. While I quite enjoy the sound from the I5, my only complaint would be a slight bloat in the upper bass/lower midrange area. Other than that, I really like its presentation.

That being said, I was quite taken aback upon hearing an all-Ayre system a year ago at the Montreal audio show - it was a full-5 system (ie, KX-5e, VX-5e and CX-5e). It had everything that I like about a high-end system - solid, authoritative bottom end, "you are there" liquid midrange and sparkling highs. The speakers were Sonus Faber Cremonas.

So...would my system take a significant step in that direction by moving to Ayre separates in place of my I5? Or would Sim's separates offer this same type of sound? Or am I going off on a wild goose chase, where I will spend a lot of $$ and not hear a lot of difference without also changing speakers?

Surely the I5 is popular, so if you had one and moved to separates - where did you go and what were the results?

FYI - my speakers are Totem Hawks, cdp is Ayre CX-7e, turntable is a Gyro SE with Graham 2.2 tonearm and Benz L2 cartridge with Sim LP5.3 phono stage.
countingbackwards

Showing 2 responses by nrenter

nrenter's avatar
nrenter
765 posts
 
You may want to consider an Ayre AX-7e / P-5xe / L-5xe along with your Ayre CX-7e (and then have your CX-7e upgraded to "mp" status). Then, run your P-5xe and CX-7e(mp) to the AX-7e using balanced interconnects.

Charles Hansen has said (over on AudioAsylum) that he'd prefer to listen to an AX-7e w/ an L-5xe than the 5-series without the L-5xe. The L-5xe is the next component on my list. If there's one person I trust in this hobby, it's Charles Hansen.

"Separates" doesn't always mean "better sound". Sometimes, it just means "more expensive" plus "another set of interconnects".
nrenter's avatar
nrenter
765 posts
 
Like I said, Charles Hansen says the AX-7e + L-5xe sounds better than the V-5xe + K-5xe (and he's the guy who designs these components). Actually, he said he'd "personally would rather listen to an AX-7e with an L-5xe power line filter than a K-5xe and a V-5xe without one."

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=amp&n=119221

His words, not mine. Best of luck.
More to discover