AYRE Cx-7e
Digital sources
This Ayre digital player is a very pragmatically designed device that does one thing particularly well: plays music. Originally conceived to complement the Ayre's amplfier catalogue the Cx-7e exceeded our expectations and maybe Ayre's too.
Function and form
There is not a lot to be seen inside the player: a duo of power transformers, a TEAC sourced DVD-ROM transport, a display unit and double sided PCBs. The digital signal is processed by a Burr-Brown DF1706 (24bit/192kHz) converter to be upsampled in two modes that are selectable via a switch on the Ayre's rear panel. The „Listen“ mode should be more precise in the temporal domain, the „Measure“ mode is linked to the frequency domain. Either the mode you choose the result is not significantly different. I had a feeling that the Listen mode gave better flow and rhythm but it might have been just an impression. The other converter, Burr-Brown's PCM1738 oversamples the digital data to 1,4112MHz (!). This is quite impressive density of digital samples.
Bass management
For todays measures the 10kg heavy Ayre looks maybe way too ordinary. The front panel is occupied by an oversized blue display with large numeric segments. Other than that it is just aluminum work shaded in two brushed finishes with a basic set of control buttons - the rest of functions is available on a remote.
The player's rear panel hosts symmetric and assymetric inputs, the digital mode switch, defeatable AES/EBU output and an IEC power outlet.
Clarity & delicacy
Tonal accuracy
The bass starts to play on the left, with nice round tone to it, to be joined by a didgeridoo and tablas. A kick drum kicks in with energy approximately 2m behind the didgeridoo, then a singer starts to sing in a Tchanki dialect (a language that the band made completely up). More are more instruments are coming into play and everything remains resolved, perfectly timed and balanced across the whole frequency spectrum.
This is basically what happens during the opener from the Densé Ju album of Cankisou, a band hailing from Czechia. The title track, Densé Ju, commences with whistled melody which made me look up: the imaging was pinpoint including air that was flowing through the lips of the singer. The background vocals in the song's chorus were perfectly legible and separated. Another song, Tikor, starts with a beautiful accordeon then again the bass, didgeridoo, acoustic guitar, saxophone and a myriad of percussions.
Spatial resolution
The sound of the Ayre cx-7e is detailed, alive, rich and dynamic. It is like a clean cut, a bit forgiving to recorded material imperfections. Its bass articulation is perhaps not abolute yet very good in the player's price category.
The soundstage is both wide and deep with nice layering and with the sufficient amount of 'air'. Expect a bit forward presentation which changes your listening perspective.
Recommended resellers
Platan Audio, Hlohovec / Bratislava, tel. +421 905 409 802
Manufacturer's website: http://www.ayre.com
Associated components
- Amplifiers: Audio Research LS17/Reference 110
- Loudspeakers: Usher Dancer Be-10
Gallery
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