Twenty updates to 5 series
 

Saw this on Ayre's Facebook update tonight. Appears to be "Twenty" versions of the KX-5, AX-5, and VX-5. As these have the Diamond circuit already, I am curious what else the update entails.

I'm waiting for news about a replacement for the DX-5-DSD. CH talked about that in the fall of 2013, referring to two models (one A/V, one audio only) coming out in 2014.

Yes will be interesting to see what Ayre will bring in new Digital gear.
Last year he mentioned on another forum that they were looking into separate drive's and DAC's. (first 5 series only, and later also reference series)

So, on Facebook, they're saying new Power Supplies for the AX-5/VX-5/KX-5 (called AyreLock) and Double Diamond output stage for the same.

$1000 upgrade cost for current owners for VX-5/KX-5 and $3000 for the AX-5.

Can't afford the KX-R20 & MX-R20, but might go for the KX-R20 with the VX-5 20. Then get those MXR's later.....

Would love to see this. I have the C-5xeMP, which I retain solely for SACD playback. I use the QB-9 DSD for files. Would be nice to see a replacement for the DX5, especially if it can support SACD. Would be nice to reduce my two digital components down to one...

Not sure if Ayre was going to do an "R" series DAC. I guess this new product might be a "5" series component. Hopefully they can find a transport that will stay in production. I thought I read that the Philips transport (used by ARC on their CD players) wasn't going to be made anymore. I should research that again.

Hi Jax,

In another forum Charles answered the following to a question.

" The current plan is to build a 5 series version first. Then maybe in 2015 follow up with an R series version.

Thanks for your interest in Ayre products!

Cheers,
Charlie Hansen
Ayre Acoustics, Inc. "

Anyway would be nice to see what level a R DAC could reach.

Hi - I also have the C-5exMP, which is a fine unit and I enjoy using it.

Forward looking I still want a disc based machine that supports all available formats, including SACD and Blu-Ray. Streaming and file-based formats and whatever are current protocols would also be welcome. I have no problem if it is separates as long as interfaces are not proprietary.

It would be a positive if Ayre gave some hint as to whether they are committed to a new disc-based media player.

Here are the details my dealer send me reg. 20 upgrade
 

*KX-5 Twenty*
AyreLock power supply
Improved Diamond output stage
Servo controlled DC offset

*VX-5 Twenty*
AyreLock power supply
Double Diamond output stage

*AX-5 Twenty*
AyreLock power supply
Double Diamond output stage
Servo controlled DC offset

Here is a more complete description of each technology.

*AyreLock*
All power supply regulators, whether 3-pin ICs using massive amounts of feedback or the discrete zero-feedback designs we have always used in Ayre product ever since the V-3, twenty-one years ago, have at their heart a single series-pass active element (tube, FET, or BJT).

When the load (audio circuit) draws more current, the pass element decreases its resistance (turns on harder), to keep the voltage to the load constant.

For the AyreLock in the Twenty update, we added a second circuit element (in our case a BJT) that also pulls down. So when the load (audio
circuit) draw less current, the second transistor draws additional current to ground.

The analogy is like going from a single-ended output stage in a power amp to a push-pull complementary output stage.

This "locks" the output voltage of the regulator, regardless of any fluctuations in the load.


*Double Diamond output stage*
The Diamond output stage as you know is an incredible output stage, the
best sounding design available. But, it produces a high level of heat in
an amplifier design. We designed the Double Diamond output stage to
solve the heat issue and we successfully reduced the operating
temperature by 35%, keeping it below human body temperature. The new
circuit design is a little more powerful than the previous version and
has amazing power and control in the lower frequencies.


*Servo controlled DC offset*
We have replaced the trimpots that we used in the original KX-5 and AX-5
with a much better sounding servo control. This servo no only improves
the sound of the unit, but it also keeps the DC offset to less than 15
mv. It will even be able to compensate for incoming DC from a source
component (up to a certain level).


*Improved Diamond Output stage*
The Diamond output stage was first used in the original KX-5 and as you
know it was very good. When we adapted it in the KX-R Twenty we learned
more about the circuit and we made several improvements to it over the
original design in the KX-5. Those improvements have been added to the
Diamond output stage in the KX-5 Twenty.

Cool, thanks for the info. I want to update my K/VX-5's, but it does suck mightily that the Canadian dollar has dropped pretty fast compared to the US. We're just about 25% additional cost than things were when I bought the components. To wait or not to wait...

I've been loving my AX-5 since it arrived just before Thanksgiving. Of course I heard about the upgrade and said sign me up. Heard from the dealer today and I'm on the list but the wait time is a few months. Can't wait. This really is an amazing amplifier.