Ayre Acoustics P-5XE manual

Ayre P-5xe Owner’s Manual MC/MM Phono Preamplifier[...]

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Table of Contents Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Optimization and Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

Welcome to Ayre Your Ayre P-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[...]

Connections and Installation The Ayre P-5xe is easy to connect and use. The following guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly. Location A good location for your phono preamplifier is in a cabinet or on a shelf. Please note that the high-gain circuitry required to amplify the low-level signal from a phono cartridge may be sensitiv[...]

connectors, there are two choices for making the proper connection: 1) Use custom phono cables with XLR connectors at the phono preamplifier end and the appropriate connector (RCA or DIN, depending on the particular installation) at the turntable end. This is the preferred solution and offers the highest level of sound quality, or; 2) Use the exist[...]

Outputs The Ayre P-5xe offers one pair of balanced (XLR) outputs and one pair of unbalanced (RCA) outputs. Although both sets of outputs are always active regardless of which input (balanced or unbalanced) is used, it is normally recommended to only use one set of outputs at a time. Note that the level of the unbalanced outputs will be 6 dB lower t[...]

Controls and Operation The Ayre P-5xe offers the ultimate in flexibility and performance for all types of phono cartridges. Low-noise FET circuitry provides ultra-quiet operation even with the lowest output cartridges. Both gain and loading are easily adjustable to accommodate both moving coil and moving magnet designs. Setting the Gain Ayre’s ex[...]

Suggested gain settings are: Cartridge Gain Gain to Out Output Setting Bal/Unbal > 3 mV Low 50/44 dB 1 – 3 mV Med* 60/54 dB < 1 mV High 70/64 dB These settings are guidelines only, and variations are perfectly acceptable. Note that the gain does not depend on which input is selected (balanced or unbalanced), but only on which output is conn[...]

Setting the Loading Cartridge loading can be adjusted with switches on the rear panel. The loading options built in to the Ayre P-5xe are 47 k Ω , 1000 Ω , and 100 Ω . There is a bank of two switches for each channel. When both switches are in the “Up” position the cartridge load is 47 k Ω , which is suitable for almost all cartridges. [...]

Optimization and Customization Technically oriented users may wish to explore additional customization options that are available. Custom Loading Resistors When using custom loading resistors, leave the loading switches in the “Up” position (47 k Ω ). Should additional loading values be desired, custom loading resistors are also easily accomm[...]

When using an unbalanced (RCA) connection to the turntable, solder the custom loading resistors between pins 2 and 3 of the additional male XLR connectors. These additional connectors are then inserted into the otherwise unused balanced inputs of the P-5xe. Custom Phono Cables As noted in the “Connections and Installation” section, a balanced c[...]

Turntables with RCA Connectors One common turntable configuration has two RCA jacks plus a ground post. Following is a schematic diagram of a suitable custom cable: This configuration has two separate cables plus a ground wire, and requires balanced cabling with at least two conductors plus a shield. If the cabling has a third conductor (in additio[...]

turntable, the custom cables must be made flexible to allow proper motion of the suspended sub-chassis. This is normally done by removing a section of the cable’s outer jacket near the turntable. A custom phono cable using a single cable may also be used as shown below: Please note that this configuration requires cabling that has a multiple of f[...]

mini-DIN connector is nearly always on a suspended part of the turntable, and care must be taken to provide a flexible section of the custom phono cable so that the turntable’s suspension can have free motion. It is usually easier to create the required flexibility by using a single cable with four conductors plus a shield, instead of using a sep[...]

In the event that a four conductor cable is not available, a pair of cables with at least two conductors each may be used as shown in the following diagram, with the DIN connector shown from the rear (solder) side: In this situation extra care must be taken to provide a flexible section to avoid interference with the turntable’s suspension. If th[...]

Numbers and Specifications Input Impedance 47 k Ω, 1000 Ω , 100 Ω (adjustable) Gain 50 dB, 60 dB, 70 dB – balanced outputs 44 dB, 54 dB, 64 dB – unbalanced outputs (adjustable) Frequency Response RIAA Curve ± 0.05 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz) Output Impedance 110 Ω – balanced outputs (55 Ω per phase) 55 Ω – unbalanced outputs XLR Inpu[...]

Statement of Warranty North American Warranty Your Ayre P-5xe phono preamplifier 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[...]

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,[...]

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 impli[...]

A Place for Notes Serial Number: Purchase Date: Dealer: Salesperson: ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 19[...]

20 Revision 1.1[...]

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Ayre Acoustics, Inc. 2300-B Central Avenue Boulder, Colorado 80301 www.ayre.com +1-303-442-7300[...]