AYRE Codex Ayre_Codex_Manual.pdf

Codex

Owner’s Manual

USB DAC + Headphone Amp + Preamp

Table of

Contents

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

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

Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Welcome to

Ayre

Ayre was founded in 1993 with a single purpose —
to bring the full beauty of music to your own home.
Our mission is to find ways of capturing the essence
of the music, delivering the same level of
engagement we experience with live music —
compelling and powerful, with a deep emotional
connection to the artist.

This is why our team innovates relentlessly, with
inspired creativity and without compromise. Each
new design pushes the boundaries of knowledge and
allows us to journey more deeply into the heart of
the music. Ayre builds equipment that brings your
music to life.

To our North American customers, please be
sure to mail your warranty registration card and
photocopy of your original sales receipt within 30
days in order to extend the warranty to five
years.

2

Overview and

Introduction

The advanced design of the Codex combines three
distinct musically powerful components into a
single compact unit:

1) A world-class digital-to-analog converter (DAC).

The USB connection accepts any sound file your
computer or music streamer can play. The Codex
uses a high-performance version of the USB
asynchronous transfer mode (Streamlength™) that
delivers audibly improved sound quality over
standard asynchronous USB DACs.

The TosLink optical input is for use with virtually
all A/V sources (disc players, networked audio
devices, cable boxes, satellite dishes, et cetera). An
optical connection totally isolates the audio ground
from that of the connected system, elevating the
performance of both.

2) The headphone amplifiers are capable of driving
virtually any headphone on the market to previously
unheard levels of performance. You will be
astonished at the hidden potential of your current
earphones.

3

In addition to providing receptacles for both ¼" and
twin 3.5 mm connectors for shared listening, the
Codex also supports the latest fully-balanced
headphones. This brings a new dimension to the
sound that will deepen your musical experience.

Many standard headphones can be converted to
balanced operation simply by replacing a
removable cable with a special aftermarket cable.
Contact your headphone manufacturer directly
for information regarding conversion to balanced
operation.

The convenient front-panel volume control operates
purely in the digital domain, yet retains a full 24
bits of resolution (144 dB of dynamic range) all the
way down to an attenuation level of -60 dB. This
breakthrough technology far surpasses the
performance of any conventional volume control.

3) The Codex also functions as the heart of a home
stereo system — a preamplifier — when combined
with amplifiers and loudspeakers. The transition
from stereo system to headphone amplifier is both
seamless and automatic.

This unprecedented level of performance and
flexibility enables all music lovers to enjoy a new
level of musical pleasure.

Avoiding the use of wireless networks (e.g.,
Wi-Fi), by employing wired connections instead,
will reduce RFI levels in your home and result in
improved sound quality for any music system.

4

Connections and

Installation

The Codex is simple and intuitive to connect and
use. The following guidelines will ensure that the
installation goes smoothly.

Inputs

The Codex offers two inputs, the USB input for
connection with a computer or music streamer, and
the optical TosLink input for connection with an
A/V source such as a disc player, cable box, or
satellite receiver.

Both offer electrical isolation from the connected
source. Each is optimized for its intended function.

USB

The USB input connects with computers and music
streamers. The Codex uses the USB “B” type
connector designed for peripheral devices. The
rectangular “A” type connector at the other end of
the cable plugs directly into the host device.

5

The maximum recommended USB cable length is
10 feet (3 meters). Hubs and/or extenders may cause
problems if the transit time for the feedback
pipeline is too great, interfering with the
asynchronous USB transfer protocol.

Computers using Windows must
install the USB audio driver included
on the CD-ROM or downloaded from:
www.ayre.com/usb_driver.htm

6

TosLink

Lower grades of TosLink

cables will have a single

optical fiber. Higher grades

will have a multitude of

small fibers, reducing the

jitter of the transmitted data.

Both front- and rear-panel

outputs may be connected

simultaneously.

The TosLink input uses an optical cable (not
included). Higher grades of optical cables will yield
improved sound quality. While TosLink is capable
of transmitting up to 30' (10 meters), shorter
lengths will provide a more reliable connection,
especially at higher data rates.

The USB input provides lower levels of jitter, and
is the preferred connection if a source device has
both USB and TosLink outputs.

Analog Outputs

The Codex offers both headphone outputs on the
front panel, as well as line-level outputs on the rear
panel for connection to a home stereo system.

Headphone Outputs

The Ayre Codex offers three headphone jacks, two

3.5 mm mini-phone jacks, and one ¼" phone jack.

The ¼" headphone jack is

wired in parallel with the

lower 3.5 mm mini-jack.

Only use stereo phone plugs (two or
three insulating rings) with any
headphone jack. Use of mono phone
plugs (one insulating ring) may damage
the unit.

Each of the 3.5 mm mini-jacks has its own
dedicated buffer. The Codex is designed to either
use a single pair of modern balanced headphones or
two pairs of conventional single-ended headphones.

7

Line-Level Outputs

Plugging standard

(single-ended) headphones into

the front panel will cause the

rear-panel output signals to be

incorrect. See “Controls and

Operation” for details.

The rear of the Codex features both balanced and
single-ended outputs for use with stereo systems
using amplifiers and speakers. Balanced connections
are made via XLR connectors, while single-ended
connections are made via RCA connectors.

When you have a choice, a balanced connection
will offer slightly higher sound quality than a
single-ended connection.

It is not possible to connect the XLR
outputs to conventional single-ended
equipment with RCA input jacks
without damaging the Codex.
Attempts to do so will void the
warranty.

AC Power

The Codex may be plugged directly into an
unswitched wall outlet. Although proprietary RFI
(radio-frequency interference) filtering is built into
the unit, in some situations an AC power-line filter
(such as those offered by Ayre) may provide
additional sonic benefits.

As virtually all computers use switch-mode power
supplies that introduce unwanted RFI on the AC
power line, it may be beneficial to use an AC power
line filter for the computer and its accessories (e.g.,
display monitor), many of which also utilize
switch-mode power supplies.

8

Configuring the Computer

Computers using Windows must
install the USB audio driver included
on the CD-ROM or downloaded from:
www.ayre.com/usb_driver.htm

No matter what operating system (OS) your
computer uses — Apple, Windows, or Linux —
you’ll need to set up your computer to perform
several different tasks:

Transferring music to your computer’s hard drive,

•

either by converting the files from your CD
collection, commonly called “ripping”, or by
purchasing files that are downloaded via the
internet.

• Labeling the files you have transferred with the

names of the song, artist, album, et cetera,
commonly called “tagging”. (Downloaded files will
normally already have the “tags” included.)

•

Using a music player program to organize your

music collection and play it back.

•

Optionally record music selections back onto CDs
for playback in your car or other places, commonly
called “burning”.

•

Optionally transfer part of your music collection
to a portable music player.

A few programs can perform all of these functions,
for example J.River Media Center (Apple and

9

Windows), iTunes (Apple and Windows), and
Foobar (Windows). Some users will prefer to use a
combination of other specialized programs to
perform these functions.

An introductory guide to setting up your computer
is available at the Ayre website:

www.ayre.com/usb.htm

Detailed information may be obtained from the
website of the computer music player software you
have selected.

10

Controls and

Operation

The front-panel control on the Codex USB D/A
converter is a combination volume knob and
momentary push switch. The display provides all
information needed for easy operation.

The master power switch is on the rear panel above
the AC mains connector.

Display

Higher sampling rates can

provide higher sound quality.

“64” indicates the incoming

signal is standard DSD-64,

while “128”indicates

double-rate DSD-128.

When playing music, the display will show the
sample rate (in kHz) of the incoming audio data.
When the volume is changed, the volume level (0 to

100) will be displayed for three seconds before
reverting to the sample rate.

Volume Control

The volume control ranges from 0 to 100 in 1.0 dB
steps. It also has a switch activated by pressing the
knob. This controls both the mute and setup menu
functions.

11

Mute

A brief press of the volume control will mute the
Codex, which is indicated by the volume level
flashing. Another brief press will return the volume
to the previously selected level.

When the Codex is muted, increasing the volume
level will also release the mute. Decreasing the
volume keeps the unit muted.

Setup Menu

There are four functions that can be controlled
through the setup menu; Input Selection, Output
Mode, Display Brightness, and Firmware Revision.

While in the setup menu, the

display will flash when an

input is required.

12

Pressing the volume knob for three seconds will
enter the setup menu of the Codex. Rotating the
volume knob will display the available choices.
Pressing the volume knob will select the displayed
choice and exit the menu.

Input Select (Inp)

The input select menu has two choices, USB (USb)
and optical (Opt). USB is the connection for a
computer or streamer, while optical is for a TosLink
optical cable.

Output Mode (Out)

The output mode menu has two choices,
preamplifier (PrE) and DAC (dAC). The proper
setting is determined by whether your loudspeaker
playback system has a volume control or not.

If you run the Codex directly into a power amplifier
or powered speakers without any volume control,
choose the preamplifier mode and the volume
control will be active.

If you connect the Codex to a preamplifier or
powered speakers with a volume control, select the
DAC mode and the output level will be at a fixed
level and the volume control will be deactivated.

While in DAC mode, inserting any headphone
plug into the front panel will temporarily activate
the volume control, presetting the output level to

“66”. Removal of all headphone plugs will restore

the unit to DAC mode, with a fixed output level
from the rear-panel jacks.

It is not recommended to use the rear-panel
connectors to drive a stereo system while
simultaneously listening to headphones.

In single-ended mode, the rear-panel
jacks will not output the correct
signals. While this will not damage any
equipment, you will not hear the
proper sound quality from your
speakers in this situation.

13

Display Brightness

The display brightness menu has four choices:

d 3 = Bright
d 2 = Medium
d 1 = Dim
d 0. = Off

If “Off” is selected, the rightmost decimal point
will remain illuminated to indicate that the unit is
still on. If the sample rate or volume level is
changed, the display will illuminate for three
seconds.

Firmware Revision

The installed firmware revision will be indicated on
the display as r1.0 for “Revision 1.0”, for example.

Balanced Operation

The fully-balanced audio

circuitry of the Codex

improves the sound quality as

any imperfections in the power

supply are cancelled.

14

Many audio systems offer true balanced operation,
and this is the default operating mode of the Codex.
With balanced operation, each channel has two
equal and opposite signals, compared to just one
signal per channel with conventional circuits. An
LED illuminates on the front panel to indicate when
the Codex is operating in balanced mode.

It is not possible to operate
conventional single-ended equipment
(headphones or stereo systems) in
balanced mode from any source.

Do not attempt to use the balanced
outputs with conventional
single-ended equipment, as damage to
the Codex may result.

As most headphones are wired for single-ended
operation, insertion of any single headphone into
one of the front-panel jacks will automatically
switch the Codex into single-ended mode.

It is not recommended to use the rear-panel
connectors to drive a stereo system while
simultaneously listening to headphones.

In single-ended mode, the rear-panel
jacks will not output the correct
signals. While this will not damage any
equipment, you will not hear the
proper sound quality from your
speakers in this situation.

When two 3.5 mm mini-plugs are connected, the
setup menu is automatically entered and the Codex
will ask if you have connected two separate
headphones for shared listening with a friend, or a
special balanced headphone cable with two 3.5 mm
mini-plugs.

The display will flash to indicate that an input is
required. Rotate the volume knob to select either

“Shared” mode (Shr) for two headphones or
“Balanced” mode (BAL) for special balanced

headphones. Press the volume knob to enter the
desired selection and exit the setup menu.

15

Numbers and

Specifications

Audio Input Signal 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96,

176.4, 192, 352.8 and 384 kHz PCM
16, 20, and 24 bits

2.8224 and 5.6448 MHz DSD
1 bit (DSD over PCM = “DoP”)

Maximum Output Level

Headphone or Preamp Modes

Maximum Output Level

DAC Mode

Analog XLR Output Polarity Pin 1 = Ground

Power Consumption 28 watts

Dimensions 2-¼" W x 9" D x 5-¼" H

Weight 3 pounds

7.2 V RMS – balanced outputs

3.1 V RMS – single-ended outputs

4.0 V RMS – balanced outputs

2.0 V RMS – single-ended outputs

Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive)
Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)

5.5 cm x 23 cm x 13.7 cm

1.4 kg

16

Statement of

Warranty

North American Warranty

Your Codex USB D/A converter + headphone
amplifier + preamplifier has a warranty period of
ninety days from the date of original purchase
against defects in workmanship and materials. This
ninety-day coverage is automatic upon acceptance of
delivery and no registration is required.

Additionally you have the option, at no cost, to
extend the warranty for a period of five years from
the date of original purchase by returning the
completed Warranty Registration Card and a
photocopy of your original purchase receipt in the
enclosed postage-paid envelope to Ayre within
thirty days of product delivery. This optional
warranty is only available within the thirty-day
registration period, and only applies when the unit
has been purchased from an authorized Ayre dealer.

17

North American Warranty Statement

1. 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 Acoustics, Inc. (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

or to Ayre’s authorized agent. The product must be
accompanied by a written description of the defect
and a photocopy of your original purchase receipt.
Ayre will not be responsible for any shipping
damage and strongly recommends the purchase of
shipping insurance.

18

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 any 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 to the duration of the above
warranty. 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. The remaining period of this warranty is only
transferable to subsequent purchasers if the product
is resold by an authorized Ayre dealer.

International Warranty

Warranty terms outside of North America may
vary. Please contact the authorized Ayre distributor
in your country of purchase for the terms of
warranty and also the service itself.

19

A Place for

Notes

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Dealer:

Salesperson:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

20 Rev. 1.0

Ayre Acoustics, Inc.

2300-B Central Avenue

Boulder, Colorado 80301

www.ayre.com

[phone]