2019 Stereophile Recommended Components (https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-fall-edition-powerline-accessories):Ayre Acoustics L-5xe power line filter: $2450 In an attempt to dissipate unwanted high-frequency energy riding on the AC line as heat, the L-5xe, built into the same case as Ayre's P-5xe phono stage, the L-5xe line filter uses a coil of wire wrapped around a nonferrous core for each of its four AC jacks. "Its slight softening effect seemed to improve image palpability, three-dimensionality, and midband texture," said MF. However, the Ayre's "pleasing romanticism" lacked the believability of the faster and more detailed Shunyata Hydra 2, he felt. With the L-5xe in his system, JM noted a taller, wider soundstage and sweeter highs, with no loss of resolution. "Without question, the L-5xe made the system more listenable," he decided. (Vol.30 No.7, Vol.36 No.10 WWW). The Ayre is from my personal system, only graded as a six due to blemish that is shown in the photos, the price has been reduced accordingly to $650.00 or best offer. Shipping in Continental USA (CONUS) is a flat rate of $27.00. PayPal adds 3.5%. BID WITH CONFIDENCE I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEED BACK ON AUDIOGON AND EBAY USERNAME: ALFA_LOVER "Take advantage of years of AC power filtering experience with the Ayre L-5xe. This Ayre Conditioner dissipates high frequency interference as harmless thermal energy, delivering pure AC power to your system. Backgrounds become deeper and richer, and the music’s ease and fluidity is revealed. Four independent outlets provide bidirectional filtering to fully isolate your components, including digital sources. Unrestricted current capability means unrestricted dynamics with even the most demanding amplifiers. Step up to a new level of coherency and resolution with an L-5xe." Ayre's L-5xe line filter is as handsomely designed and ruggedly built as the rest of its products. The case, which measures 17.25" wide by 2.38" high by 13.75" deep and weighs 12 pounds, Ayre's design philosophy for the L-5xe was "less is more." Hansen believes that the controversial nature of many power conditioners is a result of the designer's having let the perfect become the enemy of the good (my phrase, not his). He claims that many power conditioners have more net negative than positive effects on the sound, and that taking a power conditioner out of a system often results in better sound. It's important to point out that I'm discussing power conditioners, not surge protectors, which are a different and even more problematic kettle of fish. The L-5xe was developed with a view as much toward avoiding negatives as achieving positives. The basic design brief was to turn high-frequency energy coming in through the power line into heat before it can cause distortion in the audio signal.
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