audioFi.net Hi-fi news, reviews and rants
  • Reviews
    • Amplifiers
    • Digital Players/Streamers
    • Digital Processors
    • Loudspeakers
    • Accessories
    • Preamplifiers, phono stages
    • Systems
    • Turntables, cartridges
    • Headphones, headfi, desktop
  • News
  • Rants ‘n Raves
  • Hot Picks
    • Amplifiers
    • Loudspeakers
    • Preamplifiers
    • Systems
    • Turntables, cartridges, etc
  • What’s Up
  • About us
  • Home
  • News
  • Ayon adds CD-3s to digital line-up

Ayon adds CD-3s to digital line-up

January 18, 2013 Written by Editor

AYON Audio is a name that’s only recently been getting some mainstream hi-fi press in the USA. The audio cognoscenti, however, will already have discovered this Austrian brand some years ago which makes tube-fitted CD players, tube amplifiers and speakers. Tubes, in fact, form the core of Ayon’s philosophy and the new CD-3s CD player doesn’t depart from this.

Ayon describes the 3s as a new redesign of its highly-regarded CD-2s, although some may remember there was a two-chassis CD-3 in the line-up previously. According to Ayon, the 6H30 tube output stage, analogue volume control and tube-based power supply are among the new technologies used on the CD-3s.

Ayon CD-3s3

The literature ambitiously describes the CD-3s as “a miraculous blend of resolution, powerful dynamic contrast, 3D holographic soundstage and smooth natural, homogeneously textures.” Our experience with Ayon CD players (the CD-07 and CD-1s) makes us inclined to believe in most of the rhetoric.

The top-loader (like all previous and current Ayon CD players) features a Class-A triode vacuum-tube output stage and allows single-ended and balanced operation. Signal paths are kept minimal to avoid sonic degradation and the circuit board has been redesigned for the most direct approach possible. A soft-start power up, with warm-up, extends tube life.

The CD-3s uses a Burr Brown DAC which can upsample to 24-bit/192kHz resolution – this is switchable. The output is variable, from 2.5V to 5V, with a separate analogue output stage for the left and right channels. Ayon also stresses that there are no solid-state devices in the signal path of the analogue tube output.

Provided also are digital coaxial, optical, I2S, balanced and USB (asynchronous) inputs, along with a digital coaxial output. A chunky, all-metal remote handset is part of the package.

Ayon CD-3s2

Ayon has fine-tuned its power supply system here for enhanced AC line noise filtration – separate power transformer windings and filters provide total isolation between input and output stages. There are also 10 separate voltage regulators om board.

Parts used here are typically high-grade, from the anodised aluminum chassis to the internals, and the CD player is mostly hand-assembled.

The CD-3s is placed just below the flagship CD-5s, which means it is targeted at audiophiles not on a restricted budget. Still, you can save on the cost of a preamp and go directly to the power amp.

Check out the Ayon website for more on the CD-3s.

News
Dynaudio Xeo 3 – off with wires!
2013 CES, THE Show reports compiled

Categories

  • Recent
  • McIntosh’s MHT300 AV receiver holds nothing back
    February 3, 2023
  • EarMen ST-Amp… for headamp thrills
    January 26, 2023
  • Review: How the MoFi StudioPhono charms vinyl fans
    January 19, 2023
  • The Naim’s the same for the latest Classic Series
    January 10, 2023
  • HiFiMan Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones – playing fast and lively
    December 29, 2022

RSS 440Hz.my – Expanding music horizons

  • Gibson acquires Mesa/Boogie January 7, 2021 The Editor
  • The Pandemic, The Arts, and The Situation October 5, 2020 BRENDAN de CRUZ
  • Martin SC-13E… fret not over the higher notes January 17, 2020 The Editor
  • Sadowsky and Warwick announce licensing deal December 17, 2019 The Editor
  • Roland RP302… your family-friendly digital piano December 2, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • The making of a Taylor guitar – a sustainable and ethical process November 28, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • Godin Acoustic Series… keeping it premium November 18, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • Eugene Lee – bringing ’em back to life November 11, 2019 NR Lohan
  • Fender announces the American Ultra series November 6, 2019 The Editor
  • Penang House of Music – still a mountain to climb October 28, 2019 RSMurthi

evolve theme by Theme4Press  •  Powered by WordPress