Ayre Acoustics V-5XE User Manual

Ayre V-5xe

Owner’s Manual

Power Amplifier

Table of

Contents

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

Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Controls and Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

In Case of Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Welcome to

Ayre

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

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

Connections and

Installation

The Ayre V-5xe is easy to connect and use. The
following guidelines will ensure that the installation
goes smoothly.

Location

Do not stack the Ayre V-5xe

directly with other components,

as this may restrict the air

flow or induce hum into the

audio circuitry.

A good location for your power amplifier is on the
floor between your loudspeakers, or in an
open-backed cabinet, or on a shelf. The Ayre V-5xe
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.

Inputs

The Ayre V-5xe can be driven either by a
preamplifier or directly from a line-level source
(e.g., a tuner or CD player) that has a level control.
There are two sets of input connectors on the rear

3

panel of the Ayre V-5xe. The RCA connectors
accept signals from unbalanced sources, while the
XLR connectors are for balanced sources. A small
toggle switch near the input connectors selects
either the balanced or unbalanced inputs.

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

Note that the input selector switch for one channel
will be in the “up” position, while the other
channel’s input selector switch will be in the

“down” position.

Only one set of inputs (balanced or
unbalanced) may be connected at a
time.

Pass-Through Outputs

The pass-through output

connector is wired in parallel

with the input connector.

The pass-through output does

not convert unbalanced sources

to a true balanced signal.

4

Each channel features a pass-through output,
supplied via an XLR connector. This allows
multiple channels to be driven with a single source
and is especially useful for subwoofers, passive bi- or
tri-amplification, or distributed sound systems.
Simply use a balanced cable to connect the
pass-through output of one channel to the XLR
input of another channel on the same amplifier, or of
another amplifier with true balanced inputs.

If you wish to drive an unbalanced amplifier from
the pass-through outputs, you will need to use
XLR-to-RCA adapters at the pass-through outputs.
These are available from your Ayre dealer.

V-5 Power Amplifier

Unbal

Input Sel

Bal

Pass-Through

Output

S.N.

¡Attention! — Balanced Outputs

Do Not Connect Output Terminals to Ground

Trigger In/Out

Volts
50/60 Hertz
700 W Max

+ FuseFuse -

Fuse + - Fuse

The heavy-duty output

terminals of the Ayre V-5xe

work best with speaker cables

using spade lugs.

BalPass-Through

Output

Input Sel

Unbal

A y r e

Boulder, Colorado USA

Loudspeaker Outputs

The Ayre V-5xe 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.

Do not connect the loudspeaker
outputs to any speaker switch-box,
accessory, or test equipment that has a
common ground connection.

AC Power

The V-5xe may be plugged directly into an
unswitched wall outlet. Although proprietary RFI
(radio-frequency interference) filtering is built into
the amplifier, in some situations an AC power-line
filter (such as those offered by Ayre) may provide
additional sonic benefits.

5

Controls and

Operation

The Ayre V-5xe has a front panel control for normal
stand-alone operation. The amplifier may also be
controlled via a “trigger” input in a home-theater.

Power Switches

The master power switch on

the rear panel also

incorporates a circuit breaker

that acts as a resettable fuse.

Red = Warm-Up

Green = Standby

Blue = Operate

6

There are two power switches on the Ayre V-5xe.
The master power switch on the rear panel is
normally intended to be left on at all times. The
front-panel switch selects between the “Standby”
and “Operate” modes.

When the master power switch is first turned on,
the front panel indicator light will glow red for
approximately one second. During this time, the
unit is in “Warm-Up” mode and the front-panel
switch is inoperable.

After the circuitry has stabilized, the indicator light
will change to green, indicating that the unit is in

“Standby” mode and is ready for operation. When

the listener presses the front-panel switch, the unit
is in “Operate” mode and the indicator light glows
blue.

In the green “Standby” mode the output stage is
turned off, while the input circuitry remains
powered. This allows the unit to warm up quickly
for optimal sonic performance, while reducing the
power consumption from 120 watts to 20 watts.

Trigger Input

Use a 1/8" mini-phone plug

with a positive voltage of

between +5 and +12 VDC

at the tip to operate the trigger

input.

A trigger input is provided on the rear panel of the
V-5xe to allow for remote switching between the
green “Standby” and blue “Operate” modes. The
two trigger input jacks are wired in parallel. Either
jack can act as an input or a pass-through output to
allow for “daisy-chaining” of multiple devices.

The unit is shipped from the factory in the
level-sensitive mode, which is compatible with most
equipment. During level-sensitive operation,
applying a voltage to the trigger input will turn the
amplifier to the “Operate” mode. When the applied
voltage drops to zero, the unit reverts to “Standby.

7

Some equipment instead utilizes pulses as a trigger
signal. The V-5xe can also accommodate these units.
To change trigger modes, turn the rear panel switch

“Off” for about 30 seconds to discharge the internal

voltages. Then press and hold the front panel switch
while turning the rear panel switch “On”. The status
LED will rapidly flash red (about 10 Hz) to indicate
that the pulse-sensitive mode has been selected.
Repeating this procedure will revert the unit back
to the level-sensitive mode, as indicated by the
status LED slowly flashing red (about 1 Hz).

In the pulse-sensitive mode, a positive-going pulse
edge will toggle the amplifier between the

“Standby” and “Operate” states, duplicating the

action of the front-panel switch.

When using the trigger input, the front panel
switch is still operative. However, operating the
unit with the front panel switch may put the unit
out of “sync” with the control device. If this
should occur, simply press the front panel switch
again to restore “sync”.

100 to 500 hours of music

played through the system will

ensure full break-in.

8

Break-In

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

Numbers and

Specifications

Power Output 150 watts per channel continuous into 8 ohms

300 watts per channel continuous into 4 ohms

Input Impedance 100 kΩ – unbalanced inputs

200 kΩ – balanced inputs (100 kΩ per phase)

XLR Input Polarity Pin 1 = Ground

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

Gain 26 dB

Frequency Response DC - 200 kHz

Power Consumption 20 watts in standby mode

120 watts in operating mode, no signal

Dimensions 17-¼" W x 16" D x 7-¾" H

44 cm x 41 cm x 20 cm

Weight 55 pounds

25 kg

9

In Case of

Trouble

The Ayre V-5xe provides comprehensive protection
for both the amplifier and your loudspeakers,
including faults that may occur in your source
components.

Overheating

Sensors located on each audio

module will shut the amplifier

off if the heatsink temperature

reaches 175° F (80° C).

If overheating occurs, be sure

to correct the cause before

continuing to use the

amplifier.

10

If the unit is operated at high playback levels with
insufficient ventilation, the internal temperature
may become too high, triggering the thermal
protection circuitry. In this case, the amplifier will
shut down, the front panel status LED will display
both the red and green elements simultaneously,
and the front panel switch will be inoperative.

Once the unit has cooled, the red LED element will
go out, leaving the unit in the green “Standby”
condition. To restore the unit to the blue “Operate”
mode, simply press the front panel button.

Rail Fuses

Indicator LEDs on the rear of

the unit will glow red when

one of the fuses fails. Please

refer fuse replacement to a

qualified service technician.

Internal fuses on the power supply rails of each
channel protect the loudspeakers from excessive
current, as well as the amplifier from short-circuits.
There are two rail fuses per channel. If either one of
the rail fuses fail, that channel will fail to operate.

The front panel LED will typically continue to
glow blue if both fuses in one channel fail, while it
change to red if only one of the fuses fails.
Therefore the front panel LED is not a reliable
indicator of blown rail fuses. Instead refer to the
fuse status LEDs on the rear panel of the
amplifier.

Do not remove the amplifier cover.
Hazardous voltages may exist inside
the unit.

Use of rail fuses other than a 5 x 20
mm fast-acting 10 ampere unit may
damage the unit and void the
warranty.

AC Line Voltage

If the AC line voltage drops below 80% of normal
(brown-out), the unit will revert to the red

“Warm-Up” mode with the outputs muted. After

the voltage returns to normal, the initial warm-up
cycle will begin again and the unit will then revert
to the green “Standby” mode. Press the front panel
button to return the unit to the blue “Operate”
mode.

11

DC Offset

The Ayre V-5xe incorporates a circuit to detect the
presence of DC at the output terminals. In this
situation, the amplifier reverts to the red

“Warm-Up” mode, and power is immediately

removed from the output stage.

After correcting the suspected fault condition, a
press of the front panel button is required to return
the unit to the green “Standby” condition. A second
press of the button will restore the unit to the blue

“Operate” mode. If the fault is still present when the

front panel switch is pressed the second time, the
unit will immediately revert to the red “Warm-Up”
mode.

12

Statement of

Warranty

North American Warranty

Your Ayre V-5xe amplifier is warranted against
defects in workmanship and materials for a period of
ninety days from the date of original purchase. 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 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.

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.

13

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.

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.

14

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. This warranty is transferable to subsequent
purchasers within the original warranty period.

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.

15

A Place for

Notes

Serial Number:

Purchase Date:

Dealer:

Salesperson:

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

16 Rev. 1.2

Ayre Acoustics, Inc.

2300-B Central Avenue

Boulder, Colorado 80301

www.ayre.com

[phone]