[Eric Shook]

I've only read about AVA, but from that alone I love what Frank is doing.
I admit, I've been on the prowl for some American electronics to go along with
my Vandersteen 2ce Sig MkII's in land of birth, sense of value and service.
What surprises me most is that I have not found any one with a combonation
of these speakers and electronics. What gives??

Are the Vandersteen dealers too good at pushing the Ayre or is it truly "the end
all be all" in mating brands?? When I listen to Ayre products, I like what Charlie H.
is doing. However when I look at them and see the price tag, it takes no imagination
to estimate where a good portion of the money is going. It's a great product and a
true bargain product to many audiophiles, but frills and eye candy must add
cost to the consumer don't seem to reflect a true value orientation product.

AVA products from appearances look like they mean business and nothing more.
It's about sonics right?? That's sexy enough for me. My Vandersteens aren't frilly,
so why should the electronics be. I'd love to have an integrated shoot-out at my
house with the AVA Insight Integrated and the Ayre Integrated.
Has anyone here done just that??

I'd even take the time to write a solid review of both, maybe even throw in a third
or fourth amp at different price points and origins for extra measure.

My local Ayre dealer, has offered an amp for a solid week of review and comparison.
Between my neighbor and I we can add a Marantz & Musical Fidelity to challenge.

Who's game??

-Eric Shook

[sueata1]

I've got a a pair of Vandies that I drive with a Insight Pre and Ultra 550 amp.

DON'T GET NO BETTER

Happy listening,,,
Mel

[Wayner]

Frank offers a 30 day money back guarantee. It will cost you nothing to return it except postage. You can listen to it in your home, hook up what ever speakers you want, compare it to any other amps. It also has a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty.

Wayner 

[Panelman]

I have not listened to the Insight equipment through my speakers(Magnepan 1.6) but when I had the T6 preamp I did a comparison against Ayre's entry level preamp and in my system the T6 was considerably better. The Ayre did not present the same soundstage and level of detail. This was two years ago.  From a
versatility perspective there is no comparison between the AVA products and the Ayre, especially if you need headphones.

I have heard the Insight preamp and amp through Frank's Salk speakers and was very impressed at the level of detail, soundstage, natural sound and dynamic impact. I think the Insight is much better than my T6, which I also heard through Frank's Salks, so the fact that the T6 uses tubes and the Ayre is solid state doesn't account for the differences. I believe the Insight driving your Vandersteen's will work very well.

[nrenter]

However when I look at them and see the price tag, it takes no imagination to estimate where a good portion of the money is going. It's a great product and a true bargain product to many audiophiles, but frills and eye candy must add cost to the consumer don't seem to reflect a true value orientation product.

There are very few "frills" on an Ayre AX-7e - Charles Hansen is not keen on "frills". This is aparent from Charles' post out on AA.

You're gonna get a lot of opinions (and I'm sure most of them will favor AVA on this forum) but the only opinion that really matters is yours. If you local dealer will let you demo the Ayre, and you can get your hands on some AVA hardware, then perform a shootout and post the results. If you can, get a CX-7e and a set of balanced cables, too. May as well make it really interesting.

[turkey]

The AVA integrated amp is much less expensive, offers more inputs and features, and has 50% more power.

I know which one I'd buy.