Ayre K-1Xe Owner Manual

A y r e

K-1x Preamplifier

Owner’s Manual

Table of

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

Installation and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Optimizing the Phono Stage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Contents

In Case of Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Welcome to

Ayre

Please send in your warranty

registration card so we can

stay in contact with you.

The Ayre K-1x offers a significant advance in the musical
performance of audio preamplifiers. 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. Your Ayre K-1x preamplifier will provide a
lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Page 2

Installation and

Operation

The Ayre K-1x is easy to hook up and use. The following
guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly.

Location

The Ayre K-1x comprises two components - the main
preamplifier and the external power supply, which are
joined by an umbilical cable. A detachable connector allows
these units to be temporarily separated for easy installation.

The preamplifier’s power
supply emits a mild hum

field, and should be located

away from other components.

The main unit produces very little heat and can normally be
stacked with other components. However, in certain
situations, hum can be induced into the audio circuitry. In
this case, try separating the components by a few feet (one
meter or so) to isolate the interfering component.

The receiver for the optional infrared remote control is
mounted behind the left-most scallop on the preamplifier’s
front panel. Although the transmitter’s beam will reflect off
of most wall surfaces, a direct line of sight from the
listening position will ensure the maximum range. The
beam will also travel through glass if necessary.

Page 3

Inputs

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

than an unbalanced

connection.

The Ayre K-1x offers three pairs of balanced inputs and
three pairs of unbalanced inputs. Balanced connections are
made via three-pin XLR connectors, while unbalanced
connections are made via RCA jacks. In accordance with the
IEC standard, XLR pin 2 is the positive phase (hot).

The input connectors on the rear panel are labeled “1”
through “6”.

!

This will prevent the undesired possibility of a feedback
loop when monitoring a tape recording. If a tape deck is not
installed in your system, input “6” performs like the other
unbalanced inputs.

!

If you are connecting a tape deck to your
system, be sure to connect it to input “6”.

If the optional phono stage is installed, it will
use input “2”. Do not connect a high-level
source to the phono input.

Input “1” on the rear panel

corresponds to the top label,

while input “6” corresponds to

the bottom label.

Page 4

If the phono stage is not installed, input “2” performs like
the other balanced inputs. Please refer to the section
“Optimizing the Phono Stage” for more detailed
information on connecting your turntable.

Input Labels

The front panel switches can be labeled to reflect the
components in your individual system. The faceplate must
be removed to install custom labels for the selector switches.
Use the supplied 1/8" allen wrench to remove the four
screws visible on the faceplate. Then slide the faceplate away
from the unit, taking care not to scratch the knobs.

Remove the old label by using a small object (such as an
allen wrench) to push through the access holes on the rear of
the faceplate. The labels have a self-adhesive backing, and
new ones are simply pressed into place.

Outputs

All three pairs of outputs may

be used simultaneously if

desired.

1.0 dB Steps

A y r e

The Ayre K-1x offers two pairs of balanced outputs and one
pair of unbalanced outputs.

Please note that the unbalanced outputs invert

!

absolute polarity.

When using an unbalanced connection between the Ayre
K-1x and your power amplifier, it is suggested that the
speaker cables’ “plus” and “minus” leads be reversed at the
amplifier. This will restore absolute polarity and can
enhance the sense of realism on many recordings.

Infrared Remote

Unity Gain

Record

Input #1

Tuner

Phono

Disk

Video

Auxil

Tape

Off

Listen

Control Receiver

Mute

3.0 dB Steps2.0 dB Steps

4.0 dB Steps 2.0 dB Steps

Input #6

Status Indicator

Red = Warm-Up

Green = Mute

Blue = Listen

Page 5

Powering the Unit

Be sure to connect the umbilical cable to the power supply
before plugging in the AC power.

The Ayre K-1x draws very

little power and is designed to

be left on at all times.

!

The Ayre K-1x features a sophisticated power monitoring
system. When first plugged in to an AC power source, the
front panel indicator light will glow red for approximately
90 seconds. During this time, the outputs are muted and
the mute switch is inoperable.

After the circuitry has stabilized, the indicator light will
change to green, indicating that the unit is ready for play,
though the unit remains muted. When the listener toggles
the mute control, the unit is operational and the indicator
light glows blue.

Should the AC line lose power, the preamplifier’s outputs
are immediately muted. Similarly, if the AC line voltage
drops below 80% of normal (brown-out), the outputs will
mute and the indicator light will glow red. After the line
voltage returns to normal, the initial power-up cycle will
begin again.

Install or remove the umbilical connector only
when the AC power is disconnected.

The volume control and the

mute switch may be operated

either by the optional remote

control or the front panel

Page 6

Controls

There are four controls on the Ayre K-1x preamplifer - the
volume control, the input selector (“Listen”), the tape record
selector (“Record”), and the mute switch. These controls
provide the ideal combination of flexibility and ease of use.

controls.