MEASUREMENTS

n its face, the Ayre Acoustics EX-8 2.0 Integrated Hub appears identical to the original EX-8 that I reviewed in February 2019. However, changes have been made to better allow the amplifier to drive low impedances. I measured the EX-8 2.0 with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 “As We See It”) and repeated some of the tests with the magazine’s APx500 system. Before performing any testing, I followed the CEA’s recommendation of operating the EX-8 2.0 at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes. At the end of that period, its top panel was a little warmer than the EX-8’s had been, at 113.1°F (45.1°C), and the bottom panel, which acts as the heatsink for the output devices, was too hot to touch, at 133.6°F (56.4°C). Owners of the EX-8 2.0 need