Ayre EX-8

Ayre EX-8

The EX-8 integrated amplifier provides a total solution for state-of-the-art music reproduction. Simply add any source plus a pair of loudspeakers or headphones, and enjoy a musical experience that invigorates your soul. Built around Ayre’s exclusive innovations, the Ayre EX-8 includes fully-balanced, zero-feedback circuitry throughout for natural musicality. The EX-8’s modularity makes it amazingly versatile. Featuring three analog inputs (one balanced) and up to six digital inputs (Ethernet, USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, and two Toslink) it’s prepared to be the hub for most any system. With the Ethernet module installed, it is Roon-ready and pre-configured to stream Spotify, Qobuz, and Tidal. The EX-8 will integrate into virtually any home system today and is designed to be upgradeable for inevitable future technologies. The EX-8 also allows you to immerse yourself in music with your favorite headphones. Taking full advantage of the robust Ayre analog linear power supply, both balanced and unbalanced front panel connectors–driven by Ayre’s exclusive Diamond amplifier circuit–will effortlessly drive the most demanding headphones. Likewise, selecting speakers to go with the EX-8 is easy. The Double-Diamond output stage and pure linear power supplies produce 100 watts of power, allowing music to flow effortlessly into your life. The EX-8 delivers Ayre’s latest innovations in a single chassis, giving you authentic music, at an unexpected price.

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

Audio Inputs

USB: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz
PCM 16, 20, 24 bits
DSD64 and DSD128 (as DoP)

Optical/SPDIF/AESEBU: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
PCM 16, 20, 24 bits
DSD64 (as DoP)

Network: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
PCM 16, 20, 24 bits
DSD64 (as DoP)

Analog: 1 Balanced XLR, 2 Single-ended RCA

Outputs

Speaker Output: 100 watts per channel continuous into 8 ohms

Line Output: 4.5 Vrms balanced, 2.25 Vrms single-ended

Headphone Output: 4.0 Vrms balanced, 2.0 Vrms single-ended

XLR Input Polarity

Pin 1 = Ground
Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive)
Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)

Power Consumption

60 watts in operating mode

Dimensions

17.25″ W x 13.00″ D x 4.5″ H

(44cm x 33cm x 11.5cm)

Weight

24 pounds (11 kg)