Ayre AX-7 Owner's Manual

Ayre AX-7

Owner’s Manual

A y r e

Integrated Amplifier

Table of

Contents

Welcome to

Connections and

Controls and

Numbers and

Statement of

A Place for

Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Welcome to

Ayre

Please send in your warranty registration card so we can stay in contact with you.

Your Ayre AX-7 offers a significant advance in the musical performance of high-fidelity equipment.

The warmth and immediacy of a live performance are apparent from the first listening. The combination of superb resolution and a natural, relaxed quality will draw you into the music, time and time again.

This level of performance has been implemented using the highest level of workmanship and materials. You can be assured that the Ayre AX-7 will provide you a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Connections and

Installation

The Ayre AX-7 is easy to hook up and use. The following guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly.

Do not stack the Ayre AX-7 directly with other components, as this may restrict the air flow or induce hum into the audio circuitry.

Location

The infrared beam will also travel through glass.

A good location for your integrated amplifier is near eye level in an open-backed cabinet or on a shelf.

The Ayre AX-7 produces a moderate amount of heat during operation. Be sure to provide at least three inches (75 mm) of air space above the amplifier.

It is important to maintain an adequate supply of air flow to avoid overheating the amplifier.

The receiver for the infrared remote control is mounted behind the display lens on the front panel.

A direct line of sight from the listening position will ensure the maximum range. However, the beam will also reflect off of most wall surfaces with a reduced range.

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When you have a choice, a balanced connection will offer slightly higher sound quality than an unbalanced connection.

Inputs

The input connectors on the rear panel are labeled to match the input selector buttons.

The Ayre AX-7 offers two pairs of balanced inputs and two pairs of unbalanced inputs. Balanced connections are made via three-pin XLR connectors, while unbalanced connections are made via RCA connectors.

The FET switches used in the input selector circuitry offer transparent, noise-free switching, with no moving parts. Please be aware that they can be overloaded if the output voltage from the source component is too high.

Do not use a source component that has an output level greater than 4 V rms unbalanced, or 8 V rms balanced.

Using a source component with too great an output level will cause distortion.

In this modern era of diverse source components, it has become impractical to pre-label the inputs with the actual name of the source. Instead, the AX-7 has simple icons that allow you to easily remember the selector button associated with each source component.

Tape Outputs

By connecting the “Tape Out” jacks on the rear of the AX-7 to a recorder with analog inputs, recordings may be made directly from the other source components connected to your amplifier. The

A y r e

Boulder, Colorado USA

B1

Right Channel

¡Attention — Balanced Outputs — Do Not Connect Output Terminals to Ground!

Volts

50/60 Hertz

300 W Max

Left Channel

B2 B2 B1

S1 S2 S2 S1

Tape Out

S.N.

AX-7 Integrated Amplifier

If a recorder is not installed in your system, the “Moon” input performs exactly like the other unbalanced inputs.

tape outputs are switched on and off at the front panel. Please refer to the section “Controls and

Operation” for further information.

If you are connecting a recorder to your system, be sure to connect its outputs to the “Moon” input of the AX-7.

This will prevent the undesired possibility of creating a feedback loop when making a recording.

The heavy-duty output terminals of the Ayre AX-7 work best with speaker cables using spade lugs.

Loudspeaker Outputs

The Ayre AX-7 drives the loudspeakers with balanced outputs. Since none of the output terminals are grounded, connecting any of them to ground may result in damage to the amplifier.

D o n o t c o n n e c t t h e l o u d s p e a k e r outputs to any speaker switch-box, accessory, or test equipment that has a common ground connection.

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The best sound quality is normally achieved when the

AX-7 is plugged directly into the wall outlet, without using any power strips or power line conditioners.

AC Power

Connect the Ayre AX-7 to an unswitched power source. When the unit is first connected to the AC power, the input selector will default to “Star”, the volume control will default to “11”, the display will be set to “On”, and both the mute and record output will be set to “Off”. Removing the AC power from the unit will cause it to lose its memorized settings and revert to the default settings.

Controls and

Operation

At the heart of the Ayre AX-7’s control system is a sophisticated microprocessor. This microprocessor is normally “asleep” and all digital systems are turned off, including the master clock. When the microprocessor receives a command, either from the front panel or the remote control, it “wakes up” to execute the command, and then immediately returns to “sleep” mode. This system ensures noise-free reproduction of music signals.

The volume level is changed by pressing the black bar above the front-panel display.

The remote control may also be used to change the volume.

Volume Control

The Ayre AX-7’s exclusive volume control yields superlative sonic performance. Field-Effect

Transistor (FET) switches combine with discrete metal-film resistors to create a volume control with crystal-clear transparency and no moving parts, along with digital accuracy and repeatability. The volume control comprises 66 individual levels, each with a step size of 1.0 dB allowing for precise selection of the desired volume setting.

When the unit is first connected to an AC power source, the volume level defaults to “11”, a relatively

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low setting. After that, the current volume setting is retained in memory, and will remain constant when changing inputs or when the unit is placed in

“Standby”.

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The source component may also be selected with the remote control.

Input Source Selection

The input selector buttons are located at the right side of the unit. Icons that match the connector labels on the rear panel (Star, Planet, Comet, Moon) are used to denote the inputs.

When the unit is first connected to an AC power source, the “Star” input is selected by default. After that, the current input selection is retained in memory, even when the unit is placed in “Standby”.

The input selector utilizes sophisticated FET switches. Both the signal and ground connections to each source component are switched, so that any un-selected components are completely disconnected from the system. This avoids any problems with undesired ground loops.

Muting and un-muting may also be performed with the remote control.

Mute

The mute button provides an easy way to temporarily turn the volume of the AX-7 to “zero”.

The current volume control setting is retained in memory and appears on the display. When the unit is placed in “Standby”, the mute function is reset.

The “Tape Output” function does not operate on the “Moon” input. This avoids the undesired possibility of creating a feedback loop.

Tape Output

When the “Tape Output” button is pressed, the indicator will light up and the signal from the currently selected source component will be routed to the “Tape Out” connectors. This allows a recording to be made.

Turn the “Tape Output” off, unless a recording is being made. This will completely disconnect the recorder from the AX-7 (including the ground connection), avoiding the possibility of undesired ground loops.

The display may also be turned on and off with the remote control.

Display

The display of the AX-7 may be turned off, if desired. A single blue light indicates that the display is turned off. When further commands are received, either from the front-panel buttons or the remote control, the display will be activated for a few seconds to confirm the command, and then turn off automatically. Pressing the “Display” button again will turn the display on.

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The standby function may also be operated with the remote control.

Standby

The Ayre AX-7 is very energy-efficient, and only consumes about as much power as a standard light bulb when playing. If you wish to further reduce power consumption when not playing music, the unit may be placed in standby mode. In standby mode, the output stage is turned off and usage of electricity is minimized.

Processor Pass-Through

When using the Ayre AX-7 in a surround-sound system for home theater, it is desirable to use the

“Processor Pass-Through” mode. This mode allows your two-channel music sources to be routed directly through the AX-7, avoiding the sonic degradation of most processors, and at the same time allows the front two channels of the theater system to integrate with the AX-7 with the touch of a single button.

If you are using a surround-sound processor, connect the front left and right outputs of the processor to one of the inputs on the AX-7. Please note that the

AX-7 can accept either balanced or unbalanced signals.

To activate the “Processor Pass-Through” mode for that input, remove the AC power from the AX-7 for at least 10 seconds. Then, while pressing the input selector button corresponding to the chosen surround-sound processor input, re-connect the AC power.

The chosen input is now programmed for “Processor

Pass-Through” operation, disabling the now redundant volume control of the AX-7. When that input is selected, the preamplifier section of the

AX-7 is set to unity gain (0 dB), and the volume is controlled directly from the surround-sound processor. The volume indicator of the AX-7 will display “PP” to show that the “Processor

Pass-Through” mode has been selected for that input.

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To clear the “Processor Pass-Through” mode from an input and restore normal operation, remove the

AC power from the AX-7 for at least 10 seconds.

Then, while pressing the “Mute” button, re-connect the AC power.

100 to 500 hours of music played through the system will ensure full break-in.

Break-In

Due to the manufacturing processes used for the wires and capacitors, a break-in period is necessary for the amplifier to reach its full sonic potential.

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Numbers and

Specifications

Power Output

Maximum Input Level

Input Impedance

XLR Input Polarity

Gain

Frequency Response

Power Consumption

Dimensions

Weight

60 watts per channel continuous into 8 ohms

120 watts per channel continuous into 4 ohms

4 V rms – unbalanced inputs

8 V rms – balanced inputs

20 k

Ω

– unbalanced inputs

40 k

Ω

– balanced inputs (20 k

Ω per phase)

Pin 1 = Ground

Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive)

Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)

35 dB (maximum, at volume level of “66”)

2 Hz - 200 kHz

20 watts in standby mode

70 watts in operating mode, no signal

17-¼" W x 13-¾" D x 4-¾" H

44 cm x 35 cm x 12 cm

25 pounds

11.5 kg

Statement of

Warranty

Please take a moment to fill out and return the enclosed warranty registration card.

Your Ayre AX-7 integrated amplifier is warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for a period of five years from the date of purchase. This warranty is transferable to subsequent purchasers within the original five-year period. All warranty claims must be made through an authorized Ayre dealer or distributor.

Warranty Statement

1. Ayre Acoustics, Inc. (Ayre) warrants the materials and workmanship of this product for a period of five years from date of first purchase. If any defects are found in the materials or workmanship of this Ayre product within the warranty period, the unit will be repaired or replaced by Ayre or its authorized agent.

2. Purchaser must return the product, packed in the original shipping carton, freight prepaid to:

Ayre Acoustics, Inc.

2300-B Central Avenue

Boulder, Colorado 80301

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14 or to Ayre’s authorized agent.

3. Ayre reserves the right to inspect any product that is the subject of any warranty claim prior to repairing or replacing it. Final determination of warranty coverage lies solely with Ayre.

Out-of-warranty claims will be billed for labor, materials, return freight, and insurance as required.

Any product for which a warranty claim is accepted will be returned to the purchaser and the cost of shipping and insurance will be factory prepaid within the boundaries of the USA. Units to be shipped outside of the USA will be shipped freight collect only.

4. Ayre strives to manufacture the finest possible equipment, and therefore reserves the right to make improvements on its products, without necessarily assuming an obligation to retrofit such changes upon its previously manufactured models.

5. The above warranty is the sole warranty given by

Ayre, and is in lieu of all other warranties. All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose shall be strictly limited in duration to five years from the date of original purchase, and upon expiration of the warranty period (five years), Ayre shall have no further obligation of any kind, whether express or implied. Further, Ayre shall in no event be obligated for any incidental or consequential damages as a result of any defect or any warranty claim, whether express or implied.

6. Ayre does not authorize any third party, including any dealer or sales representative to assume any liability of Ayre or make any warranty for Ayre. The unit must not have been altered or improperly serviced. The serial number on the unit must not have been altered or removed.

7. Warranty registration cards must be completed and mailed to Ayre within 30 days of purchase. Ayre may, at its option, require from the purchaser valid proof of purchase (dated copy or photocopy of dealer's original invoice).

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A Place for

Notes

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Ayre Acoustics, Inc.

2300-B Central Avenue

Boulder, Colorado 80301 www.ayre.com

+1-303-442-7300