Whether you decide to listen to music over your loudspeakers or through headphones, the Ayre EX-8 two-channel integrated amplifier provides you with a complete solution for the cutting-edge reproduction of refined audio sound.
All that you need, to enjoy the experience of your favourite music, is to combine a quality pair of loudspeakers or headphones & a digital or analogue input source with the scintillating EX-8.
 
The Ex-8 is more than equipped to be the centre of your complete audio system with it’s three analogue inputs (one balanced) & up to six digital inputs (Ethernet, USB, AES/EBU, S/PIDIF & 2 Toslink)
Highly adaptable, the EX-8’s ethernet module is Roon-ready, & preconfigured to stream Spotify, Qobuz & Tidal.
 
Both balanced & unbalanced front facia output connections are driven by Ayre’s exclusive Double Diamond amplifier circuitry along with Ayre’s robust analogue linear power supply which has been designed & constructed to easily drive the most demanding headphones.
As with the headphone outputs the EX-8 employs the same Double Diamond & linear power circuitry to effortlessly drive your loudspeakers right up to 100 watts, into a nominal 8 ohms, per channel.
 
As mentioned above, the EX-8 model is highly adaptable; as it can come in several guises:
 
As described above (analogue & digital inputs)
Or as an analogue input only version
Or upgrade with a form of S/PDIF that will allow for further upgrades
A digital base & USB or Ethernet
Or a fully outfitted, QX-8, USB & Ethernet version
 
There is potential for even more versions & upgrades.

-Analogue inputs with S/PDIF added - 12,650 AUD
-Analogue inputs with S/PDIF & USB & Ethernet - 13,000 AUD

o Ayre’s Asynchronous S/PDIF input.
o ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip
o Ayre custom digital clock
o Ayre’s Minimum Phase digital filter
o Single-pass 16x oversampling
o Ayre’s Double Diamond output stage
o Ayre’s exclusive Equilock gain stage
o Analog volume control
o Linear analog power supply
o High-speed circuit board material
o Up to six digital inputs:
o Ethernet, Asynchronous USB,
o AES/EBU, S/PDIF, Optical (2)
o Ayre Link communication system

Stereonet review 07/2020

Ayre price