Ayre C-5xe Owner Manual

Ayre C-5xe

Owner’s Manual

Universal Stereo Player

Table of

Contents

Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Overview and Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Controls and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Navigation of Discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Optimization and Customization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Welcome to

Ayre

Please send in your warranty

registration card so we can

stay in contact with you.

Your Ayre C-5xe 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 C-5xe will provide you a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Overview and

Introduction

To provide the highest possible

level of audio performance,

there is no video circuitry in

the C-5xe.

For the foreseeable future CD

will continue to be the

dominant format, with a wide

variety of titles available in

all musical genres.

The Ayre C-5xe is a universal stereo (U2) player. It plays all currently available audio disc formats, including CD, SACD, DVD-Audio, DVD-Video (soundtrack only), and MP3.

The C-5xe offers both stereo analog and PCM digital outputs. Multi-channel discs may also be played. In the case of multi-channel SACDs, the C-5xe will automatically select the two-channel area that is mandatory for SACD. In the case of multi-channel tracks that may be present on DVD-Audio or DVD-Video discs, the C-5xe will automatically downmix to stereo.

Thanks to its advanced technological features, the Ayre C-5xe will extract the full measure of performance from all digital audio formats, including CD, maximizing your musical enjoyment, both now and into the future.

Connections and

Installation

The Ayre C-5xe universal stereo (U2) player is easy to hook up and use. The following guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly.

Location

The infrared beam of the

remote control will also travel

through glass.

When you have a choice, a balanced connection will offer slightly higher sound quality

than an unbalanced

connection.

A good location for your U2 player is at an easily accessible height in an open-backed cabinet or on a shelf. 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 infrared beam will also reflect off of most wall surfaces with a reduced range.

Analog Outputs

The Ayre C-5xe offers both balanced and unbalanced outputs. Balanced connections are made via three-pin XLR connectors, while unbalanced connections are made via RCA connectors. It is not normally recommended to use both sets of analog outputs simultaneously.

Digital Output

An adapter is available from

Ayre should you need to connect the digital output to a device with an S/PDIF input

that uses an RCA connector.

The Ayre C-5xe features a balanced AES/EBU digital audio output on the rear of the unit. This output is used when connecting to a digital recording unit or other device, such as an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Additional information regarding the digital output may be found in the chapter “Optimization and Customization”.

Control Port

The control port on the rear panel of the C-5xe allows the unit to communicate with a system controller such as a Crestron or AMX. Additional information regarding the control port may be found in the chapter “Optimization and Customization”.

AC Power

Connect the Ayre C-5xe to an unswitched power source. The best sound quality is normally achieved

when the player is plugged directly into the wall outlet, without using any power strips or power line conditioners.

Break-In

Playing the unit for 100 to

500 hours will ensure full

break-in.

Due to the manufacturing processes used for the wires and capacitors, a break-in period is necessary for the Ayre C-5xe to reach its full performance potential.

Controls and

Operation

The Ayre C-5xe universal stereo (U2) player may be controlled using either the front panel buttons or the included remote control. Basic functions are available at both locations, while additional functions are available only at the remote control.

Remote Control

The supplied remote control handset has a housing machined from solid aluminum and features lighted keys for easy use in a dark environment. It has a unique battery saver feature, whereby if a button is pressed for longer than normal, the internal microprocessor will revert the unit to “sleep” mode. This protects the batteries if, for instance, the remote control handset becomes wedged in the furniture cushions.

The remote control handset uses 2 x AAA batteries, which are pre-installed at the factory. When battery replacement is required, remove the four rubber feet on the back side by pulling them straight out. Then the four retaining screws may be removed using the supplied 3/32" allen key.

1 – 4x Lights when playing a track with 176.4 or 192 kHz sample

rate.

2 – 2x Lights when playing a track with 88.2 or 96 kHz sample rate.

3 – 1x Lights when playing a track with 44.1 or 48 kHz sample rate.

4 – SACD Lights when playing an SACD.

5 – DTS Lights when playing a DTS soundtrack.

6 – DOLBY DIGITAL Lights when playing a Dolby Digital soundtrack.

7 – PLAY Lights when a disc is playing.

8 – PAUSE Lights when a disc is paused.

9 – Character Display Displays disc information.

10 – DISPLAY OFF Lights when the display is turned off.

11 – REMAIN Indicates that the display is showing the time remaining.

12 – CHP Indicates that the display is showing a DVD-V chapter

number.

13 – TRK Indicates that the display is showing a CD, SACD, or DVD-A

track number.

14 – TITLE Indicates that the display is showing a DVD-V title number.

15 – GRP Indicates that the display is showing a DVD-A group number.

16 – V-PART Lights when playing a DVD with video content.

Basic Functions

The following basic functions are accessible via both the front panel buttons and the remote control handset.

Standby/Operate

The “Standby/Operate” button toggles the unit between normal operation and standby mode. When in standby mode a green status LED in the front panel “Standby” button is illuminated. The internal circuitry remains powered, ensuring optimal performance with a minimum of warm-up time.

Open/Close

The “Open/Close” button opens and closes the disc tray. An open tray may also be closed by pressing gently on the front edge of the tray.

When the tray is closed, almost all DVD-Video discs will automatically begin playing. This is because the DVD format allows the disc to send commands to the player.

Play

Pressing the “Play” button initiates playback of the disc. If the drawer is open, pressing “Play” will also close the drawer.

Pause

Pressing the “Pause” button will pause the disc playback. Playback may be resumed either by pressing the “Pause” button again or the “Play” button.

Stop

Pressing the “Stop” button will stop disc playback. However if you are playing a DVD-Video disc, the display shows “RESUME” and the position is memorized. Press “Play” to start from the memorized position, or press “Stop” a second time to clear the memorized position.

The resume position remains memorized as long as the disc is in the player, even if you switch the power off.

Pressing the “Previous” button will back up to the start of the current track (CD, SACD, DVD-A) or chapter (DVD-V). Additional presses will move to previous tracks or chapters.

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