Ayon CD-3 Owner's Operating Manual

ayon

CD-3

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Vacuum Tube Class-A CD-Player

Owner’s Operating Manual

Ayon Audio – Hart 18 – 8101 Gratkorn – Austria – Phone: [phone]

www.ayonaudio.com

WARNING

PRECAUTION AND SAFETY

TO PREVENT SHOCK OR FIRE HAZARD DO NOT OPEN THE UNIT OR EXPOSE TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE. REFER ALL SERVICE TO AYON AUDIO OR AN AYON AUDIO
AUTHORIZED SERVICE FACILITY. THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE
THE CD-3. REFER ALL INTERNAL SERVICE, UPDATES, OR MODIFICATIONS TO
QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

HIGH VOLTAGE IS PRESENT INSIDE AN OPERATING CD-3.
DO NOT REMOVE BOTTOM PLATE OR INSERT ANY OBJECTS THROUGH
OPENINGS IN THE CASE.

OPERATING VOLTAGE

The operating voltage is factory set for the destination country and is not user
adjustable. Unauthorized attempts to modify the operating voltage may
damage the unit and will void the manufacturer warranty.

FUSE

AC power line fuse is located in a snap-out receptacle on the underside of
the main Power switch. The correct value of Slow-Blow fuse is 600mA. Do not
replace the fuse with a higher than indicated fuse. Disconnect the power
cord before changing the fuse.

Serial Number:

Voltage:

Ayon Audio Distributor:

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Ayon establishes a new benchmark in vacuum-tube CD-Player

performance by combining a true balanced and single-ended
tube output stage with an external tube regulated power supply.
The CD-3 provides natural dynamics, precise rhythm, extremely
smooth, colourful and a high-definition sound.

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for your purchase of the Ayon Audio CD-3 Class A vacuum tube
CD-Player. Please read this owner’s manual to obtain the full benefit of the
CD-3 in your system. This manual provides you with necessary safety
information and operation procedures for this unit.
With this CD-Player, you have entered into the world of exclusive design
which will give you great satisfaction and privilege of enjoying the advanced
technology of Ayon Audio products. It is designed to serve as a high standard
of truthful real musical performance. The care in engineering and
manufacturing of this product anticipates a long time of enjoyment.
We also encourage you to enlist the aid of the dealer from whom you
purchased this Ayon CD-Player. Your dealer is an excellent source of
information on compatibility, installation, and troubleshooting, and should be
capable of helping ensure that your overall music system provides you with
maximum performance and satisfaction.

WHY VACUUM TUBES

The output level of studio microphones under typical recording conditions
contain peaks far in excess of what VU meters display. Everyone knows that,
but the peaks, as measured with an oscilloscope, are really quite high, easily
exceeding 1 volt! The tube or transistor used in a condenser microphone, or in
a microphone preamplifier, often will be driven into severe overload by these
peaks. The peaks are short, so the sound isn't grossly distorted-sounding; but
the distorted peaks do affect what we hear. All preamps (and condenser
microphone electronics) are overloaded by these peaks, but tubes handle it
differently than solid-state devices. When transistors overload (in a discrete
circuit or in an OP amp), the dominant distortion product is the third
harmonic. The third harmonic "produces a sound many musicians refer to as
blanketed”. Instead of making the tone fuller, a strong third actually makes
the tone thin and hard. On the other hand, with tubes (particularly triodes)
the dominant distortion product is the second harmonic: “Musically, the
second is an octave above the fundamental and is almost inaudible, yet it
adds body to the sound, making it fuller”.
Tubes sound better because their distortion products are more musical. Tubes
provide a more appropriate load to transducers. These are the fundamental
reasons why tubes simply sound better.

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HANDLING TIPS

1. Always make sure your hands are clean and free of any dirt or oils before
carrying your Ayon Audio tube CD-Player.

2. Carry the CD-Player with both hand s by gripping the sides of the unit.

3. Never hold the face plate against your clothing as coarse materials such as
stitching, belts, etc. will mar and or scratch the surfaces.

4. Never set anything (CDs, LPs, papers, sharp items or other equipment)
directly on top of the unit.

5. Use a soft cloth with non-abrasive cleaning products to clean your
CD-Player.

6. Avoid prolonged exposure of the appliance to direct sunlight!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Unpacking
Connection
Break in period
Operation
Remote control
Specifications
Vacuum tubes
Warranty and Service

UNPACKING

Open the box and remove the top layer of foam. You will see these items:
1 x CD-Player

1 x Power Supply unit
1 x Umbilical cable
1 x AC power cord
1 x Remote control
2 x Battery for RC
1 x Acrylic cover
1 x Magnetic puck clamp
1 x Screw driver
1 x Owner’s manual

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CONNECTION

When making any connections to this component or any other device, make
sure the power amplifier and the preamplifier are OFF and disconnected from
the AC current.

Never connect power supply’s power cord to a wall outlet while umbilical
between CD-Player unit and CD-3 power supply unit are disconnected.

1. Connect male end of the supplied umbilical cable to a power output jack
on the CD-3 power supply. This is a keyed connector so proper alignment is
necessary for correct pin connection

2. Connect female end of the same umbilical cable to a male receptacle on
the CD-Player unit

3. Plug the CD-3 into a standard wall AC receptacle.
NOTE: If the phase control indicator glow red, the phase polarity is wrong.
Reverse the AC plug! (This function is operating for 230V and Schucko plug
version only)

4. Connect the CD-3 analog output to the appropriate preamplifier or
integrated amplifier input.

The CD-3 is equipped with two analog output configurations:
Single-ended via RCA connectors and balanced via XLR connectors.

The XLR pin configuration is:
Pin 1 Ground
Pin 2 Non-inverting ( plus + )
Pin 3 Inverting ( minus - )

The left and right channel RCA and XLR outputs are labelled on the rear
panel.

The CD-3 is equipped with one S/PDIF coaxial digital output in order to send
this output to a digital recording device or external D/A processor.

Note: Never connect this jack to a non-digital input of an amplifier, such as
AUX, CD, TAPE, PHONO, etc. Damage May Occur!

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BREAK-IN PERIOD

Your new Ayon Audio electronics CD-3 tube CD-Player ha s an initial break–in
period. The unit will not perform to its full sonic potential when first installed in
your system. This is partially due to a residual polarization of the dielectric
materials used in the PCB, like resistors, capacitors, chokes, transformers and
internal wiring. As music is played through the unit, the electrical signal will
gradually anneal these materials. Only after the break-in period will the full
performance of your Ayon Audio CD-3 is fully realized. The break-in process
will occur naturally as music is played through the system.

° Break- in: 30 to 50 hours of mid volume level and dynamic source material.
Note: For best results, do not burn-in the CD-3 continuously for more than 6 to

8 hours. Give the unit a break before you turn it on again. Burn-in the CD-3
without any stress and be sure to use the system, “Normally”.
During the break-in period, the sonic properties of your electronics may
undergo several gradual shifts as the various components break–in at
different rates. It is therefore suggested that the fine tuning of the system be
delayed until after the break–in period is completed. However, during the
final phases of the break–in period, the sonic image will open up, the sound
stage will bloom to perfection, the bass control and impact will increase and
the overall sound will have a more involving soundstage presentation.

OPERATION

Turn on the power switch at rear panel, insert a CD, label side up and affix
the CD with the magnetic puck. The “ayon” logo will light up, followed by the
“Warm Up” message on the front display panel. Then the total track number
and playback time will be indicated on the front display panel.

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HOW TO PLAY A CD - IMPORTANT

Playing a CD

1) Press the OPEN/STOP button – “Open” lights up on the front display panel.

2) Carefully, place the CD on the CD Spindle and place the Magnetic Puck
on the “Spindle”, the top center of the CD.

Note: Never play a CD without magnetic puck affixed to the CD.

3) Press the OPEN/STOP button AGAIN – This action requests a read of the CD.

4) The total track number and playback time for the entire disc is shown on
the front display panel.

5) Press Play to activate playback from the beginning of the CD.

6) To STOP the CD, press the OPEN/STOP button.

PLEASE NOTE:

7) Each time a CD is changed, you must press the OPEN/STOP button twice,
requesting a read of the new CD!

Then press PLAY to activate playback from the beginning of the CD.
Press PAUSE to temporarily suspend playing the current track. To resume

playing at the point pause was engaged, press PLAY/PAUSE again.
Press TRACK FORWARD once to select and begin playing the track that follows

the current track.
Press SEARCH FORWARD and hold this key to scroll forward through the current

track
Press SEARCH BACKWARD and hold this key to scroll back through the current

track
Press TRACK BACKWARD once to select and begin playing the track that

precedes the current track.
Note: Never play without magnetic puck affixed to the CD.

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REMOTE CONTROL

1) MUTE button

2) A-B button for repeated playback of a specified passage (A-B):
During normal playback:

- Press this button once at the starting point (A) of the passage you want to
repeat. If do not press the button again to mark the stopping point (B) before
the next track starts, the starting point A will be cleared during the track
change.

- Press this key again at the end of the passage (B) you want to repeat, the
designated passage A-B will be played repeatedly.

3) PROGRAM button. When the system is at stop stage:

- Press this button once to display P-00 (now order Track number). Maximum
20 tracks can be programmed.

- Press numeric button to select tracks.

- Press Play button to activate program play
(Use Search Forward, Search Back button to select playback order)

4) DIMMER Screen display mode.

5) INFO Introduction. When the system is at stop stage:

- Press this button once: the system will scan the disc and playback each
track for 15 seconds. After all tracks are played, the system will stop and
display the total track number and time for the entire disc.

- Press this key again: the system will return to the normal playback mode.

6) RANDOM Playback button. When the system is at stop mode:

- Press this button once: the system will enter random play back mode. After
all tracks are played once, the system will stop and display the total track
number and playback time for the entire disc.

- Press this button again: the system will return to normal playback.

7) TIME button. Track time and surplus time

8) REPEAT button. During normal playback:

- Press this button once: the system will play the current track repeatedly.

- Press this button again: the system will play all tracks repeatedly.

9) NUMERIC button (0-9, total ten buttons):

- Press 1-9 buttons to select a specific sound track you want to play.
For the track number greater than 9, press the corresponding numeric buttons
for the track number desired.

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10) PREVIOUS TRACK button
When the system is at normal playback, fast forward, fast reverse, or
repeat playback, by pressing this button it will clear the playback modes, and
the system will playback the previous track normally.(Press this button when
the first track is playing and the system will jump to the last track of the disc).

11) PLAY/PAUSE button

- When the system is in stop mode, press this button to playback the first track.

- When the system is in pause mode, press this button to return to normal
playback.

- When the system is in fast-forward or fast-reverse mode, press this button to
return to normal playback.

- When the system is in any playback mode, press this button to pause
playback.

12) FORWARD TRACK button

- When the system is at normal playback, fast forward, fast reverse, or A-B
repeat playback, by pressing this button it will clear the playback modes and
the system will playback the next track normally.(Press this button when the
last track is playing and the system will jump to the first track of the disc).

13) SEARCH BACK button

- When pressing this button during normal playback, the system will play the
track reversely at twice the speed than normal. Once the track is
finished, the system will play the previous track normally. (Press this button
when the system is playing the first track, the system will stop and display the
total track number and playback time for the entire disc.)

- When the system is at programming stage, press this key to program the
sequence of the tracks.

14) OPEN/STOP button

- During normal playback, press this button to stop the system. When the
system is in stop mode, press this button to display the total track number
and playback time for the entire disc.

15) SEARCH FORWARD button

- During normal playback, press and hold this button, the system will play at a
twice the speed than normal. Once the track is finished, the system will
play the next track normally, (Press this button when the system is playing the
last track, the system will stop and display the total track number and
playback time for the entire disc).

- During programming, press this button to program the track order.

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SPECIFICATIONS

CD-Player Ayon CD-3

Conversation rate 192kHz / 24 bit
CD-Transport Sony KSS-213Q
Tube complement 4 x 6H30
Tube complement Power Supply 1x 6AX5GT
Dynamic range > 110dB
Output level @1 kHz / Rms 5.50 V
Output impedance Single-Ended-RCA 30 Ohms
Output impedance Balanced-XLR 210 Ohms
Digital output 75 Ohm S/PDIF (RCA)
Analog Output RCA & XLR
S/N ratio > 108 dB
Frequency response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
Total harmonic distortion @ 1kHz < 0.002%
Remote control Yes
Power consumption 50 Watts
Dimension: CD-Player (WxDxH) cm 46x31x10 cm
Dimensions: Power Supply (WxDxH) cm 46x31x10 cm
Weight: CD-Player / Power Supply 8 kg / 12 kg
Shipping Dimension: CD-Player (WxDxH) cm 57x21x23 cm
Shipping Dimensions:Power Supply(WxDxH) 57x21x23 cm
Weight: CD-Player / Power Supply 10 kg / 15 kg

Specifications subject to change without notice

VACUUM TUBES

Ayon Audio strongly discourages changing tubes (tube rolling) for the
purpose of “improving sonic performance”. Tubes of the same part number
from different manufacturer’s and lots generally vary considerably in many
operating parameters. The Ayon Audio Class A CD-3 CD Player has been
sonically and precisely optimized for the tubes installed at the factory in
Austria, by Ayon Audio. The 6H30 tubes are highly selected and matched
tubes by our experts at Ayon Audio. The original signal tubes will provide for
many years of excellent audio performance.

Note: NEVER REMOVE THE BOTTOM PLATE OF THE CD-3 UNITS BEFORE
UNPLUGGING THE CD-3 POWER SUPPLY FROM THE WALL!

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WARRANTY & SERVICE

LIMITED WARRANTY

Ayon Audio electronic components are warranted by the manufacturer to be free
of defects in materials production for a period starting 3 years ( except all types of
signal, rectifier and power tubes, CD-mechanism and laser pick up ), from the date
of purchase. Under this warranty defects are repaired free of charge. The purchaser
is responsible for transportation from their location to the original sales agent,
national distributor, or international distributor, whoever is closest. This warranty
applies to the original purchaser only and it is non-transferable to subsequent
purchasers within the original 3 year period. Contact your dealer or Ayon Audio USA
for commercial warranty policies. Request for repair under this warranty must be
accompanied by an unaltered copy of the original purchase receipt.

IN THE EVENT OF A PROBLEM

In the unlikely event of a problem with any Ayon Audio product, if any replacement
part is required, you must contact your Ayon Audio dealer first. Ensuring continued
operation at the highest level of performance, the defective parts must then be
returned to the factory for inspection to determine the status of the warranty claim.
This on-site replacement of the parts eliminates the time and expense of shipping the
entire unit to the factory for repair. All warranty claims must be made through an
authorized Ayon Audio dealer, distributor or Ayon Audio.

CONDITIONS

This warranty is subject to the following conditions and limitations. The warranty is void
and inapplicable if the product has been used or handled other than in accordance
with the instructions contained within the Owner`s Manual. Units which are abused,
misused, suffer electrical damage from lightning, overloaded wall power outlets,
serial identification plate and serial number defacing, damage by accident or
neglect during transport, tampering or unauthorized repair by anyone other than
Ayon Audio or an authorized service center will void all warranties offered by Ayon
Audio.

Ayon Audio reserves the right to modify the design of any product without obligation
to purchasers of previously manufactured products and to change the price or
specifications of any product without notice or obligation to anyone.

ayon

®

is a registered trademark

Ayon Audio – Hart 18 – 8101 Gratkorn – Austria – Phone: [phone]

www.ayonaudio.com

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