The Ayre C-5xe MP is one of Charlie Hansen’s finest creations, the first player to win Stereophile’s coveted A+ category award. It’s manufactured by Ayre of Boulder, Colorado, in the USA and finished in brushed silver. It features both single-ended phono and balanced XLR outputs, as well as S/PDIF digital audio output in AES/EBU format (XLR).

The machine is fully updated to the later MP specification ‘evolution’ and then further upgraded with special PSU parts, both sets of work carried out in specialist audio workshops.







I bought it as an ex-demo machine from Audio Salon in Glasgow in 2007. It is an exceptional player of CDs and SACDs, which form the brunt of my collection. The sound is typically powerful, up-front with knockout dynamics and very extended bass. CDs sound superb and SACDs sound even better. The acoustic of the venue comes through clearly and there is detail across the frequency range, projected into a wide and deep soundstage. This machine plays music first and foremost and constantly amazes with its engaging and fatigue-free performances.

The Ayre can play some DVD-As but I hesitate to fully recommend them as they can be very tricky to navigate their menus without video as guidance. Some work fine, others seem impossible to find the hi-res tracks. Just be warned.

I have loved owning this player and am only selling now as my listening habits have moved towards streaming.

Reviews
Stereophile original review
www.stereophile.com/hirezplayers/705ayre/index.html
Stereophile MP upgrade
www.stereophile.com/content/ayre-c-5xe-universal-disc-player-mp-upgrade-july-2009
Soundstage
www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/94-ayre-c-5xemp-cdsacddvd-a-player

Modifications
MP (Minimum Phase) upgrade in 2009 (Hi End Workshop – Mark Dolbear)
Power supply and oscillator upgrades in 2015 (Coherent Systems – Tony Sallis)
Replacement Pioneer transport in 2017 (the original started mistracking)

Specifications
Plays CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video (soundtrack only), MP3 discs
Exclusive Ayre “Minimum Phase” digital filter
Single-pass 16x oversampling
Discrete decoding and playback of all formats in their native domain
Zero-feedback, DC-coupled, true differential balanced analogue circuitry
Separate linear power supplies for both analogue and digital circuitry

Maximum Output Level
2.05V rms – unbalanced outputs
4.10V rms – balanced outputs (PCM)
1.00V rms – unbalanced outputs
2.00V rms – balanced outputs (DSD)

Output Impedance
55 ohms – unbalanced outputs
110 ohms – balanced outputs (55 per phase)

Power Consumption
60 watts maximum

Dimensions
17.25" W x 13" D x 4.75" H (44 cm x 33 cm x 12 cm)

Weight
26 pounds (12 kg)

Set for 240V AC mains power.

Comes complete in original box with remote control and manual, as well as all receipts.

Price
Total cost to me over £4700.  Selling at £1950 via bank transfer or PayPal gift with free shipping to UK destinations.