Ayre Acoustics TK-8150 manual

Table of Contents Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Setup and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Optimization and Cu[...]

Welcome to Ayre 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. Your Ayre KX-R preamplifier offers a significant advance in the musical performance of high-fidelity equipment. The warmth and immediacy of[...]

Connections and Installation The Ayre KX-R is easy to connect and use. The following guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly. As shipped from the factory, none of the inputs are activated. The desired inputs are activated by assigning them names as described in the following chapter, “Setup and Configuration”. Location The in[...]

Make a note of which source components are connected to which numbered input. The connected inputs will be named after power is applied to the KX-R preamplifier, as described in the chapter “Setup and Configuration”. Main Outputs Balanced output connectors are provided to achieve the highest sound quality. Should it be necessary to connect a si[...]

single-ended component, high-quality adapters are available from your Ayre dealer. Turn the tape outputs off unless they are currently being used. This will completely disconnect the auxiliary components from the KX-R (including the ground connection), eliminating the possibility of undesired ground loops. Unlike the main outputs, the tape outputs [...]

The linked components may be joined in any convenient order. The linked components should be connected in daisy-chain fashion, connecting each component to another until all of the linked components have been connected. When connecting the linked components to form a chain, be careful not to connect the two ends of the chain. Closing the chain to f[...]

Setup and Configuration Due to the large number of available inputs (eight) on the KX-R, activating only the desired inputs allows for simpler operation of the unit. Only the active inputs will be included in the list of available source components. If no inputs are activated, the preamplifier will automatically enter the setup mode when AC power i[...]

Refer to your notes describing which source components are connected to which numbered input. Use the left-hand knob to scroll to the desired numbered input (” Set1 Unused ” through “ Set8 Unused ”). Press the right-hand button to navigate to the next menu level. The front panel will display “ Name Unused ”. Use the right-hand knob to s[...]

Repeat the process of naming the remaining desired inputs. When all of the desired inputs have been named, press the left-hand button to exit the setup mode. The front panel will briefly display “ Exiting Setup ”. Then the unit will return to standby, indicated by the green LED in the front panel. Advanced users may wish to use additional sophi[...]

Controls and Operation To achieve the highest possible sonic performance, the KX-R uses custom-designed rotary switches with solid-silver contacts for both the volume control and the input selector. These military-spec controls provide unsurpassed signal purity, as well as a virtually unlimited lifespan. These rotary switches are actuated with prec[...]

The two front-panel buttons employ contactless, sealed piezoelectric force sensors that will never wear. Please note that the buttons do not move as they sense the applied force. The piezoelectric buttons respond to a normal pressing action or a light tap that produces a relatively rapid change in force. They are not “touch-sensitive”, nor will[...]

Volume Control The volume level may be controlled with either the right-hand knob or the remote control handset, and the volume setting is displayed on the front panel. There are 60 individual levels, each with a step size of 1.0 dB, allowing for precise selection of the desired volume setting. If the volume control is advanced beyond the highest a[...]

will be activated for a few seconds to confirm the command, and then the display will turn off again. Changing the display brightness of components linked via the AyreLink communication system will change the display brightness of all linked components. Tape Output When the tape outputs are activated, the name of the selected source will be shown i[...]

Operate The AyreLink system transmits the “Operate” command sequentially with a brief delay between linked components, avoiding power surges that could overload the AC power circuits in your home. Turning on a linked component will automatically turn on all other linked components that are further down the signal chain. For example, turning on [...]

Remote Control The provided remote control handset will operate both the Ayre KX-R preamplifier as well as an Ayre disc player. A backlight is also provided to allow easy operation in a darkened listening room. 15[...]

Batteries The remote handset uses 4 x AAA batteries. These are accessed by removing the two screws that hold the black end piece. The battery holder will slide out, and the batteries may be replaced. Disc Player Configuration As shipped from the factory, the remote control handset is configured to operate the Ayre C-5xe MP disc player. The button w[...]

Optimization and Customization In most audio systems, the KX-R preamplifier only requires that the desired inputs be activated by naming them. This allows for easy operation of the audio system. Each source component is clearly identified and only the connected inputs are displayed in the list of available source components. However in certain inst[...]

After entering the setup mode, the front panel will display “ Set1 [current name] ”, where “ current name ” indicates the name currently selected for input 1. (The factory default setting is “ Unused ”, which de-activates input 1.) Use the left-hand knob to select which input ( 1 - 8 ) you wish to configure. Then press the right-hand bu[...]

Name Use the right-hand knob to select the desired name. Selecting “ Unused ” will disable that input and remove it from the list of available source components when in the normal operating mode. A custom name (up to 8 characters) may also be created as follows: 1) Use the right-hand knob to scroll to the selection “Custom x”, where “x”[...]

Once you have selected the “ Offset ” menu item with the left-hand knob, simply select the desired offset level with the right-hand knob. Changing the gain offset from +0 dB will affect the maximum displayed volume level. If the volume control is advanced beyond the highest available level, the front panel will briefly display the message “Ma[...]

automatically integrate with the your main two-channel playback system. 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 KX-R. When configuring that input, use the left-hand knob to select the “ Gain ” menu item and the right-hand knob to select “ Bypass ”. Th[...]

AyreLink AyreLink provides for true “one-touch” operation of the entire music system. As explained in the chapter “Controls and Operation”, turning on a source component connected with AyreLink will automatically turn on all of the linked “downstream” components (i.e., preamplifier and power amplifiers). In addition, the appropriate inp[...]

select the correct input. Similarly, it is possible that the user wishes to create a custom name for the CD player input, for example, “ Music ”. In this case there is no default AyreLink code that would select this input. To address these issues, the setup menu allows each named input to be associated with an AyreLink identification code. Once[...]

Overall Gain The volume control for the KX-R preamplifier comprises a 60 dB range. For most audio systems this will provide more than enough range, allowing for low-level late-night listening sessions as well as the ability to totally immerse yourself in your favorite music at high volumes. If you need to change the overall gain of your system, ple[...]

To change the remote control handset to operate the CX-7e MP , simply press the number button “7” five times in succession. (Please note that the “Audio” button used to select soundtracks on DVD discs will have no function in this configuration.) Press the number button “8” five times in succession to change the remote handset to operat[...]

An adapter cable must be fabricated to connect the trigger output of the control component to the AyreLink port of the KX-R preamplifier. The easiest way to do this is to remove the modular (RJ-11) connector from one end of a two-line telephone line cord. (This is the type of cord that connects the telephone set to the wall. A two-line cord will ha[...]

During level-sensitive operation, applying a voltage to the trigger input will set the amplifier to the “Operate” mode. When the applied voltage drops to zero, the unit reverts to “Standby”. In the pulse-sensitive mode, a positive-going pulse will toggle the amplifier between the “Standby” and “Operate” states, duplicating the actio[...]

Numbers and Specifications Input Impedance 2 M Ω balanced (1 M Ω per phase) 1 M Ω single-ended XLR Input Polarity Pin 1 = Ground Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive) Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative) Gain Variable Frequency Response DC – 250 kHz Output Impedance 300 Ω balanced (150 Ω per phase) 150 Ω single-ended Power Consumption 35 watts; 65 watts[...]

In Case of Trouble Should the Ayre KX-R preamplifier ever fail to operate properly, please check the following: Symptom: Mechanical noise when changing the volume level or selected input. This is a normal consequence of the precision stepping motors moving the solid-silver contact rotary switches. Symptom: An audible “whirring” sound when selec[...]

Amplifier Error Messages Power amplifiers typically employ several different protection circuits to avoid potential damage to the amplifier or loudspeakers in the case of misuse or a fault. When an AyreLink-equipped power amplifier is connected to the KX-R preamplifier, any error detected by the power amplifier will immediately place the preamplifi[...]

“Amp AC Low” Message If the front panel displays “ Amp AC Low ”, it indicates that the AC line voltage of a linked power amplifier has fallen below 75% of normal. Please refer to the owner ’s manual for the amplifier for further information. Turntable Error Message The dps/Ayre turntable includes a sophisticated power supply with a temper[...]

Statement of Warranty North American Warranty Your Ayre KX-R 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[...]

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: ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ 35[...]

36 Rev. 1.2[...]