Ayre VX-5 Twenty vs. Pass X 250.8

Holy thread resurrection, Batman, but I’m in the same position. Looking for input on comparisons between these 2 amps.

hybrid system H/T and 2 channel for now, with a future likelihood of having a separate listening room. Right now the ‘pre’ is my Emotiva processor, which sounds a lot better than the Marantz it replaces. Aerial 7T’s for mains. Currently using Odyssey Stratos, which has served me well, but the bug has bitten, so I’m investigating options. A tube pre is a likely future option when I have a dedicated room. I’ve heard a couple and loved the way they drew me in to the music.

You did reach way back…. I had and greatly enjoyed an Ayre VX5/20 for three years.  You will need to feed it by balanced XLR cables from the pre for the design to be able to preform at its peak per Ayre and i agree based on experimentation.  I used a VAC Renaissance 5 pre with the Ayre.  

I had a VX-R Twenty for 4 years before upgrading to Vandersteen M7 amplifiers. The VXR is a fantastic amplifier and as stated will deliver with balanced inputs. I used an ARC REF5se with excellent results.

jim