Ayre K-5xeMP
Owner’s Manual
Preamplifier
Table of
Contents
Welcome to
Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Connections and
Controls and
Numbers and
Statement of
A Place for
Welcome to
Ayre
Your Ayre K-5xeMP 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 been implemented
using the highest level of workmanship and
materials. You can be assured that the Ayre
K-5xeMP 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 K-5xeMP preamplifier is easy to connect
and use. The following guidelines will ensure that
the installation goes smoothly.
Location
The infrared beam of the
remote transmitter will also
travel through glass.
A good location for your preamplifier is in an
open-backed cabinet or on a shelf. 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
When you have a choice, a
balanced connection will offer
slightly higher sound quality
than an unbalanced
The Ayre K-5xeMP offers two pairs of balanced
inputs and two pairs of unbalanced inputs. Balanced
connections are made via three-pin XLR connectors,
while unbalanced connections are made via RCA
connectors.
connection.
The FET switches used in the input selector
circuitry offer transparent, noise-free switching,
3
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 K-5xeMP
has simple alpha-numeric labels that allow you to
easily remember the selector button associated with
each source component.
Tape Outputs
By connecting the “Tape Out” jacks on the rear of
the K-5xeMP to a recorder with analog inputs,
recordings may be made directly from the other
source components connected to your preamplifier.
The tape outputs are switched on and off at the front
panel or via the remote. Please refer to the section
“Controls and Operation” for further information.
If a recorder is not installed in
your system, the “S2” 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 “S2” input of the K-5xeMP.
This will prevent the undesired possibility of
creating a feedback loop when making a recording.
4
A y r e
S.N.
K-5 Stereo Preamplifier
Boulder, Colorado USA
Right Channel
S2
B1
B2
Left Channel
S2
B2
B1
Outputs
Outputs
Volts
50/60 Hertz
Tape
Out
Tape
Out
S1
S1
10
W
Max
Main Outputs
The balanced outputs use
XLR connectors, while the
unbalanced outputs use RCA
connectors.
The Ayre K-5xeMP offers one pair of balanced
outputs and one pair of unbalanced outputs. Both
pairs of outputs may be used simultaneously.
However, please note that the level of the
unbalanced outputs will be 6 dB lower than the
balanced outputs.
AC Power
Connect the Ayre K-5xeMP to an unswitched power
source. When the unit is first connected to the AC
power, the input selector will default to “B1”, the
volume control will default to “11”, the display will
be set to “On”, and both the mute and record output
will be set to “Off”. Removing the AC power from
the unit will cause it to lose its current settings and
revert to the default settings.
Although proprietary RFI (radio-frequency
interference) filtering is built into the preamplifier,
in some situations an AC power-line filter (such as
those offered by Ayre) may provide additional
sonic benefits.
5
Controls and
Operation
The Ayre K-5xeMP preamplifier may be controlled
using either the front panel buttons or the included
remote control handset. Basic functions are available
at both locations, while additional functions are
available only at the remote control handset.
Remote Control
The supplied remote control handset can operate
both the K-5xeMP preamplifier 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 preamplifier 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.
6
Basic Functions
The following functions are accessible via both the
front panel buttons and the remote control handset.
Volume Control
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.
When the unit is first connected to an AC power
source, the volume level defaults to “11”, a relatively
low setting. After that, the current volume setting is
retained in memory, and will remain constant when
changing inputs.
Mute
The mute button provides an easy way to
temporarily turn the volume of the K-5xeMP to
“zero”. The current volume control setting is
retained in memory and appears on the display.
7
Input Source Selection
The input selector buttons are located below the
display. Alpha-numeric labels that match the
connector labels on the rear panel (B1, B2, S1, S2)
are used to denote the inputs. When the unit is first
connected to an AC power source, the “B1” input is
selected by default.
Tape Output
The “Tape Output” function
does not operate on the “S2”
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 K-5xeMP (including the ground
connection), avoiding the possibility of undesired
ground loops.
Additional Functions
The following function is available only via the
remote control handset.
Display
The display of the K-5xeMP may be turned off if
desired. A single blue light indicates that the
8
display is off. When 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 on the
remote control again will turn the display on.
Processor Pass-Through
When using the Ayre K-5xeMP 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 K-5xeMP, 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 K-5xeMP with the touch of a
single button.
If you are using a surround-sound processor, connect
the front left and right outputs of the processor to
one of the inputs on the K-5xeMP. Please note that
9
the K-5xeMP can accept either balanced or
unbalanced signals.
To activate the “Processor Pass-Through” mode for
that input, remove the AC power from the K-5xeMP
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 K-5xeMP. When
that input is selected, the preamplifier section of the
K-5xeMP is set to unity gain (0 dB), and the volume
is controlled directly from the surround-sound
processor. The volume indicator of the K-5xeMP will
display “PP” to show that the “Processor
Pass-Through” mode has been selected for that
input.
To clear the “Processor Pass-Through” mode from
an input and restore normal operation, remove the
AC power from the K-5xeMP 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 preamplifier to
reach its full performance potential.
10
Numbers and
Specifications
Maximum Input Level
Input Impedance
4 V rms – unbalanced inputs
8 V rms – balanced inputs
20 kΩ– unbalanced inputs
40 kΩ– balanced inputs (20 kΩper phase)
XLR Input Polarity
Pin 1 – Ground
Pin 2 – Non-inverting (Positive)
Pin 3 – Inverting (Negative)
Maximum Gain
4 dB – unbalanced outputs
10 dB – balanced outputs
Frequency Response
Output Impedance
DC – 200 kHz
110 Ω– unbalanced outputs
220 Ω– balanced outputs (110 Ωper phase)
Power Consumption
Dimensions
10 watts
17-¼" W x 13-¾" D x 4-¾" H
44 cm x 35 cm x 12 cm
Weight
25 pounds
11.5 kg
11
Statement of
Warranty
North American Warranty
Your Ayre K-5xeMP 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
extend the warranty for a period of five years from
the date of purchase (except for the disc transport
mechanism, which will be warrantied for a period of
two 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.
12
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.
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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.
14
A Place for
Notes
Serial Number:
________________________________________
Purchase Date:
Dealer:
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
Salesperson:
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Rev. 1.3a
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