CES 2010 Coverage

Ayre auditioned its components with Vandersteen Model 7 speakers. In my judgment, it was among a small number of the the best sounding rooms at CES. Furutech diffusion panels helped keep first reflections at a minimum. Those are the Ayre MX-R monoblocks resting on finite elemente Pagode Edition isolation stands. The two boxes in the center are the Ayre L-5xe AC power filters. If I remember correctly, the cable were by Cardas.

Top to bottom are the Ayre C-5xeMP CD/SACD/DVD/DVD-A player, P-5xe phono preamplifier, K-5xeMP preamplifier, L-5xe AC power filter and V-5xe power amplifier.

Also shown were the CX-7eMP CD player and AX-7e integrated amplifier.

The product I was most interested in was the new DX-5 Blu-ray player estimated to be $8,000-$10,000. It too is based on the Oppo BDP-83, but unlike its competitors, the only thing Ayre uses is the basic video board, and for it, they have replaced the voltage regulators and other components. Everything else has been designed from the ground up, including the power supplies (plural) and gavanically isolated two channel DAC with USB input.

Take a look at what they have done.

Compare it with the Oppo BDP-83

and the Lexicon BD-30. Lexicon appears to have made no changes other than the external enclosure.

and the Theta Compli-Blu. Theta substituted a linear power supply for the standard switching unit but appears to have made no other changes. I thought Theta had digital expertise they could have brought to bear on the player?

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