Ayre Acoustics Stereo Amplifier AX 7E User Manual

Ayre AX-7e  
Owner’s Manual  
Integrated Amplifier  
 
Table of  
Contents  
Welcome to  
Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2  
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3  
Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6  
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12  
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13  
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16  
Connections and  
Controls and  
Numbers and  
Statement of  
A Place for  
 
Welcome to  
Ayre  
Your Ayre AX-7e 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 degree of performance has been implemented  
using the highest levels of workmanship and  
materials. You can be assured that the Ayre AX-7e  
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 AX-7e is easy to connect and use. The  
following guidelines will ensure that the installation  
goes smoothly.  
Location  
Be sure to provide at least  
three inches (75 mm) of air  
space above the unit.  
A good location for your integrated amplifier is in  
an open-backed cabinet or on a shelf. The AX-7e  
produces a moderate amount of heat during use.  
It is important to maintain an adequate  
supply of air flow to avoid overheating.  
The infrared beam of the  
remote transmitter will also  
travel through glass.  
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.  
Inputs  
The Ayre AX-7e offers two pairs of balanced inputs  
and two pairs of unbalanced inputs. Balanced  
connections are made via three-pin XLR connectors,  
3
 
while unbalanced connections are made via RCA  
connectors.  
When you have a choice, a balanced connection  
will offer slightly higher sound quality than an  
unbalanced connection.  
The FET switches used in the input selector  
circuitry offer transparent, noise-free switching,  
with no moving parts. Please be aware that they can  
be overloaded if the output voltage from the source  
component is too high.  
Do not use a source component that has  
an output level greater than 4 V rms  
unbalanced, or 8 V rms balanced.  
Using a source component with too great an output  
level will cause distortion.  
The input connectors on the  
rear panel are labeled to  
match the input selector  
buttons.  
In this modern era of diverse source components, it  
has become impractical to pre-label the inputs with  
the actual name of the source. Instead, the AX-7e  
has simple icons that allow you to easily remember  
the selector button associated with each source.  
Tape Outputs  
By connecting the “Tape Out” jacks on the rear of  
the AX-7e to a recorder with analog inputs,  
recordings may be made directly from the other  
source components connected to your amplifier. The  
tape outputs are switched on and off at the front  
panel. Please refer to the section “Controls and  
Operation” for further information.  
4
 
If a recorder is not installed in  
your system, the “Moon” input  
performs exactly like the other  
unbalanced inputs.  
If you are connecting a recorder to your  
system, be sure to connect its outputs to  
the “Moon” input of the AX-7e.  
This will prevent the undesired possibility of  
creating a feedback loop when making a recording.  
Loudspeaker Outputs  
The heavy-duty output  
terminals of the Ayre AX-7e  
work best with speaker cables  
using spade lugs.  
The Ayre AX-7e 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 AX-7e 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.  
Removing the AC power from  
the unit will cause it to lose  
its memorized settings and  
revert to the default settings.  
When the unit is first connected to AC power, the  
input selector will default to “Star”, the volume will  
be at “11”, the display will be “On”, and both the  
mute and record output will be “Off”.  
5
 
Controls and  
Operation  
The Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier may be  
controlled using either the front panel buttons or  
the included remote control handset.  
Remote Control  
The supplied remote control handset can operate  
both the AX-7e integrated amplifier as well as an  
Ayre CD player. The controls to operate the CD  
player are grouped towards the top of the handset,  
while those for the integrated amplifier are grouped  
towards the bottom.  
The remote control handset uses 2 x AAA batteries,  
which must be installed before use. Access to the  
battery compartment is achieved by sliding the  
cover on the rear of the unit.  
Volume Control  
The Ayre AX-7e’s exclusive volume control yields  
superlative sonic performance. Field-Effect  
Transistor (FET) switches combine with discrete  
6
 
metal-film resistors to create a volume control with  
crystal-clear transparency and no moving parts. The  
volume control comprises 66 individual levels, each  
with a step size of 1.0 dB allowing for precise  
selection of the desired volume setting.  
The volume level is changed by pressing the black  
bar above the front-panel display. The remote  
control may also be used to change the volume.  
When the unit is first connected to AC power , the  
volume level defaults to “11”, a relatively low  
setting. After that, the current volume setting is  
retained in memory when changing inputs or when  
the unit is placed in “Standby”.  
Mute  
The mute button provides an easy way to  
temporarily turn the volume of the AX-7e to “zero”.  
The current volume control setting is retained in  
memory and appears on the display. When the unit  
is placed in “Standby”, the mute function is reset.  
7
 
Input Source Selection  
The input selector buttons are located at the right  
side of the unit. Icons that match the connector  
labels on the rear panel (Star, Planet, Comet, Moon)  
are used to denote the inputs.  
When the unit is first connected to an AC power  
source, the “Star” input is selected by default. After  
that, the current input selection is retained in  
memory, even when the unit is placed in “Standby”.  
The input selector utilizes sophisticated FET  
switches. Both the signal and ground connections to  
each source component are switched, so that any  
un-selected components are completely disconnected  
from the system. This avoids any problems with  
undesired ground loops.  
Tape Output  
The “Tape Output” function  
does not operate on the “Moon”  
input. This avoids the  
When the “Tape Output” button is pressed, the  
indicator will light up and the signal from the  
currently selected source component will be routed  
to the “Tape Out” connectors. This allows a  
recording to be made.  
undesired possibility of  
creating a feedback loop.  
Turn the “Tape Output” off unless a recording is  
being made. This will completely disconnect the  
recorder from the AX-7e (including the ground  
connection), avoiding the possibility of undesired  
ground loops.  
8
 
Display  
The display of the AX-7e may be turned off, if  
desired. A single blue light indicates that the  
display is turned off. When further commands are  
received, either from the front-panel buttons or the  
remote control, the display will be activated for a  
few seconds to confirm the command, and then turn  
off automatically. Pressing the “Display” button  
again will turn the display on.  
Standby  
The Ayre AX-7e is very energy-efficient, and only  
consumes about as much power as a standard light  
bulb when playing. If you wish to further reduce  
power consumption when not playing music, the  
unit may be placed in standby mode. In standby  
mode, the output stage is turned off and usage of  
electricity is minimized.  
Processor Pass-Through  
When using the Ayre AX-7e in a surround-sound  
system for home theater, it is desirable to use the  
“Processor Pass-Through” mode. This mode allows  
your two-channel music sources to be routed  
directly through the AX-7e, avoiding the sonic  
degradation of most processors, and at the same time  
allows the front two channels of the theater system  
to integrate with the AX-7e with the touch of a  
single button.  
9
 
If you are using a surround-sound processor, connect  
the front left and front right outputs of the processor  
to one of the inputs on the AX-7e. Please note that  
the AX-7e can accept either balanced or unbalanced  
signals.  
To activate the “Processor Pass-Through” mode for  
that input, remove the AC power from the AX-7e  
for at least 10 seconds. Then, while pressing the  
input selector button corresponding to the chosen  
surround-sound processor input, re-connect the AC  
power.  
The chosen input is now programmed for “Processor  
Pass-Through” operation, disabling the now  
redundant volume control of the AX-7e. When that  
input is selected, the preamplifier section of the  
AX-7e is set to unity gain (0 dB), and the volume is  
controlled directly from the surround-sound  
processor. The volume indicator of the AX-7e will  
display “PP” to show that the “Processor  
Pass-Through” mode has been selected for that  
input.  
10  
 
To clear the “Processor Pass-Through” mode from  
an input and restore normal operation, remove the  
AC power from the AX-7e for at least 10 seconds.  
Then, while pressing the “Mute” button, re-connect  
the AC power.  
Break-In  
100 to 500 hours of music  
played through the system will  
ensure full 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.  
11  
 
Numbers and  
Specifications  
Power Output  
60 watts per channel continuous into 8 ohms  
120 watts per channel continuous into 4 ohms  
Maximum Input Level  
Input Impedance  
4 V rms – unbalanced inputs  
8 V rms – balanced inputs  
20 k– unbalanced inputs  
40 k– balanced inputs (20 kper phase)  
XLR Input Polarity  
Pin 1 = Ground  
Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive)  
Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)  
Gain  
Frequency Response  
Power Consumption  
35 dB (maximum, at volume level of “66”)  
2 Hz - 200 kHz  
20 watts in standby mode  
70 watts in operating mode, no signal  
Dimensions  
Weight  
17-¼" W x 13-¾" D x 4-¾" H  
44 cm x 35 cm x 12 cm  
25 pounds  
11.5 kg  
12  
 
Statement of  
Warranty  
North American Warranty  
Your Ayre AX-7e integrated 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.  
13  
 
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.  
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. 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.  
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  
+1-303-442-7300  
 

Acu Rite Weather Radio wireless thermometer User Manual
Alliance Laundry Systems Washer CFD14C User Manual
Allied International Digital Camera GX1660 User Manual
Alto Shaam Food Warmer ED2SYS 48 2S User Manual
Amana Refrigerator W10180386A User Manual
Asus Network Card E976 User Manual
ATN Binoculars ATN NVM14 User Manual
Axis Communications Security Camera M3203 User Manual
Axis Communications Security Camera P3354 User Manual
Ayre Acoustics Stereo Amplifier K 5xe User Manual