Ayre AX-7e Owner’s Manual Integrated Amplifier
Table of Contents Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Numbers and Specifications Power Output Maximum Input Level Input Impedance XLR Input Polarity Gain 4 V rms – unbalanced inputs 8 V rms – balanced inputs 20 kΩ – unbalanced inputs 40 kΩ – balanced inputs (20 kΩ per phase) Pin 1 = Ground Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive) Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative) 35 dB (maximum, at volume level of “66”) Frequency Response 2 Hz - 200 kHz Power Consumption 20 watts in standby mode 70 watts in operating mode, no signal Dimensions Weight 12 60 watts per channel c
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.
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.
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.
A Place for Notes 16 Serial Number: ________________________________________ Purchase Date: ________________________________________ Dealer: ________________________________________ Salesperson: ________________________________________ Rev. 1.
Ayre Acoustics, Inc. 2300-B Central Avenue Boulder, Colorado 80301 www.ayre.
