Owner`s manual

16
Ayon Audio – Hart 18 – 8101 Gratkorn – Austria – Phone: [phone]
www.ayonaudio.com
BREAK-IN PERIOD
Your new Ayon Audio electronics Vulcan tube amplifier has an initial break–in period.
The unit will not perform to its full sonic potential when first installed in your system. This is partially due to a
residual polarization of the dielectric materials used in the PCB, like resistors, capacitors, chokes,
transformers and internal wiring. As music is played through the unit, the electrical signal will gradually
anneal these materials. Only after the break-in period will the full performance of your Ayon Audio
Vulcan is fully realized. The break-in process will occur naturally as music is played through the system.
The recommended break-in procedure is as follows:
° Initial warm-up: five to eight hours of quiet music.
° Extended break- in: 30 to 50 hours of mid volume level and dynamic source material.
Do not use any CD Break-in Disc or Break-in device. Use natural music only. We have found that
certain "break in" CD’s can actually have a detrimental effect on the performance of the system.
Note: For best results, do not burn–in your Vulcan continuously for more than 6 - 8 hours. Give the unit a
break before you turn it on again. Burn-in the Vulcan without any stress and be sure to use the system,
“normally”. During the break-in period, the sonic properties of your unit may undergo several gradual
shifts as the various components break–in at different rates. It is therefore suggested that the fine tuning
of the system be delayed until after the break–in period is completed. However, during the final phases
of the break–in period, the sonic image will open up, the sound stage will bloom to perfection, the bass
control and impact will increase and the overall sound will have a more involving sound stage
presentation.
VACUUM TUBES
It is a fact that each brand of tube sounds different in a particular high resolution circuit. This is because
no two manufacturers make a tube type in quite the same way, and the central tendencies of the
performance parameters will differ slightly with each maker. To emphasize the point, examine the plate
structure of any two signal tubes of the same type from different manufacturers. You will probably find
that they may not even the same shape and size.
Ayon Audio strongly discourages changing tubes (tube rolling) for the purpose of “improving sonic
performance”. Tubes of the same part number from different manufacturer’s and lots generally vary
considerably in many operating parameters. The Vulcan has been sonically and precisely optimized for
the tubes installed at the factory in Austria, by Ayon Audio. All tubes are highly selected and matched
tubes by our experts at Ayon Audio. The original signal tubes will provide for many years of excellent
audio performance.
Tube Life Expectancy
Average power tube life will depend on several parameters: product type, how the product is installed,
loudspeaker efficiency, room size and acoustic damping, listening habits or average sound pressure
levels, A.C. line stability and purity, and other circumstances.
When tubes are new they are at slightly greater risk of going bad during their break in period. This is
called infant mortality. After the break in time period the tubes will stabilize and last for the several
thousand hours of operation unless traumatized by being jarred or dropped.
→ The vacuum power tubes are high quality AA62B tubes rated for approximately 5000 hours of use.
→ The vacuum signal tubes are high quality 6QB5 & 6SJ7 tubes rated for approximately 5000 hours of
use. For maximum audio quality however we recommend replacing the tubes after 4000hrs of operation.
As with all tubes, their quality degrades with age. This is due to cathode emission, a natural process found
in all tubes. Note: Some tubes of the same brand and type glow at different brightness levels, some
variation in brightness is normal – having to do with the amount and positioning of the internal silvering on
the glass. You need not be concerned if one tube glows brighter than another .