AYON Spheris III "State-of-Art" tube Preamp dual chassis with AC Regenerator AY 27 PA SPH LS NZ$54,995.00 ea (incl. GST) "Only the Mark Levinson No52 preamp came close (among linestages I reviewed). and on top of that Ayon Sphreis-III offered also this immense richness of the sound that Levinson couldn't quite match. With Spheris there are large, very distinct, palpable, intense phantom images rendered in space. Each of them combines many layers that overlap one another to create something that I would describe as natural sound, assuming that natural means: causing impressions similar to those we experience during live concert. That means that this artificiality of music reproduction is somehow not an issue here. It is still not the same thing as live music, it is an impression of naturalness. One listens to the music and gets sucked in... High Fidelity Gold Fingerprint Award - Wojciech Pacuta "STATE OF ART" The Spheris III - Linestage is designed to be the new reference standard in vacuum-tube linestage pre-amplification and for audiophiles who will accept nothing less than simply the best. It is a marvel of engineering with its unique C3m tube circuit design, a new revolutionary volume control system and construction. This preamplifier sets a new standard for natural musical performance with its extraordinarily wide bandwidth, extremely low distortion, colourful, superior dynamic range and an airy three-dimensional holographic soundstage. The external Spheris III AC~ Regenerator offers stable, regulated and purified AC power regardless of the incoming AC line quality. This power supply provides a lowered noise floor, more liquidity, better spatial three-dimensional imaging, greater focus, richer colours, and decreased glare & haze. Ayon Spheris III High Fidelity BEST PRODUCT 2014, Poland A preamplifier is a heart of a classic, analogue audio system. The final sonic effect relies a lot on how well this heart works. Many manufacturers don't understand that, treating this element of the system lightly, often not realizing how different it is from other system elements and thus treating it not differently than a headphone amplifier or D/A Converter's output. Compared to them, Gerhard Hirt seems to be an alien from another planet. He treats preamplifier as one of the biggest challenges. He devoted a lot of time and spent even more money to achieve proper results. Spheris III is the product that took Ayon's engineers and Gerhard himself most time ever to develop. Since HighFidelity's chief editor, Wojciech Pacu?a, spent last few years with Ayon's Polaris linestage, using its consecutive versions: II, III, and finally III (Custom Version), he knows the path Gerhard worked his way through. That is why he can claim with utmost certainty that Spheris III outperforms all previous models by a large margin. It is the best preamplifier that ever played in Wojciech Pacu?a's system. Ayon Audio Spheris III is now a partof HighFidelity's reference system. Features 2 Chassis full-featured Class A triode/pentode single-ended & true balanced vacuum- tube stereo preamplifier Unique new pure vacuum tube-circuit design with single gain stage and incorporates only one coupling capacitor at its output Page 1/6
stage Limited production Vacuum TubesThe choice of signal and power tubes have a significant influence on the sound and hence on the inspiration and joy of listening. This is not only the decision between good and bad tubes but finally the interaction of the different types of tubes and their combination that are used in the various Ayon amplifiers. Special tubes for stereo line-amplification ( tube life min. 10000 hrs ) Signal Path We believe that the simplest circuits work best together with the shortest signal path. The shorter the signal path is, the less possibility of sonic degradation from various sources, including the wire itself. Even on the circuit boards, the copper traces are kept to a very minimum length. The completely redesigned circuit board provides a more straightforward and direct approach to the signal paths. Ultra short signal path Simplest direct circuit path for purest musical sound and high reliability Very low output impedance to drive any tube or solid state power amp No solid state devices in the signal path High current and low impedance design that operates tubes in the best areas their curves Minimal discrete wiring for optimum signal propagation No followers or buffers in the signal path High quality parts throughout 0dB negative feedback (of any kind ) All line inputs - impedance > 1MOhm Selector switch engages relays located near RCA jacks to switch all inputs Special alloy solder used for the best electrical connection AC~ReGenerator - Power Supply The power supplies have been further refined with new components and enhanced AC line noise filtration. Separate power transformers, chokes and filters provide total isolation between the input and output stages which makes this a pure power source. We also use electrolytic capacitors with much larger storage capacity to make up for the loss in filtering when using resistors in lieu of inductors. Tube rectified power supply with built in AC ~ Regenerator Regenerated AC power and low distortion sine wave Superior noise reduction 2 separate low noise insulated power transformers Power transformers are encased, excellent damped and RFI/EMI ultra-shielded Innovative power supply provides a high speed energy delivery on transients Triple choke filtered power supply for power tubes Separate and isolated power supplies over each stage of amplification Regulated DC filament supplies with soft-start power up for extended tube life AC power line filter to avoid noise and hash from entering into the unit. High capacitance energy storage. Frequency meter (60Hz) Dual Grounding System The modification of the grounding topology leads to increased rejection of noise from the power supply and other areas. The dual grounding topology used in all of our amplifiers is quite unique to the whole hi-end tube amplification industry. Such extensive topology provides for quieter backdrop for which the music can unfold in its entirety. It further establishes the quick and controlled bass response and the full bodied expression of the high frequency. The ground leg of the signal has not been neglected and given meticulous attention in its implementation. The importance of proper grounding cannot be over emphasized. Ground switch Central one-point star earth grounding Dual grounding system (switchable) Page 2/6
Components The type of parts used therefore must have a synergistic relationship to the circuit they are placed in. It is this relationship of which type of part to use where, that ranks our products apart from the mass. Ultra selected, absolute best quality passive components used in all applications High speed & high quality audiophile grade coupling capacitors Special tube sockets with beryllium- copper spring pins, custom made by Ayon WBT / High quality RCA input jack Neutrik/Swiss - XLR chassis connectors Special isolated - internal wiring Premium internal signal cable uses ultra pure, soft annealed copper and super low loss insulation Gold-plated industrial grade PCB Elma/Swiss - Input selector switches VTC volume transformer control, 4 channels / 42 position - electronic-relay system, custom made by ayon This stepped volume control system has a channel balance within +/- 0.05dB. Tantalum The best sounding precision special resistors 0,5% are used everywhere, best resolution and lowest noise. Rifa - Long life capacitors Mechanical Construction The high grade aluminium chassis impart a richer, more lustrous tonality with a cleaner background and less hash and grain. All brushed anodised anti-vibration-resonance and non-magnetic chassis s are fully hand assembled to insure the highest level of craftsmanship. Improved heat ventilation chassis Backlit front panel displays indicate level attenuation & input selection 3 Platinum knobs with backlit glass pivot, custom-made by Ayon The aluminium feet are resonance absorbing types All front & rear panel descriptions are engraved Ground switch AC phase polarity control indicator Volume & Mute function - RC Metal remote commander Chassis finish: black / chrome Specifications Class of Operation: Pure Class A, Triode-Pentode Tube Complement C3M Maximum Output (at 1 khz ): 40V rms S/N ratio: > 98 db Input Impedance: > 1MOhm Output Impedance: 30 Ohm Frequency Response / Line; 0.5Hz - 500kHz Harmonic Distortion (at 1V ) Line: < 0.01% Harmonic Distortion (at 1V ) Phono; < 0.1% Input; x Line RCA, 1 x Bal XLR Output: 2x RCA, 1 x Tape out, 1x Bal XLR, AC~ ReGenerator: max. 300 W Frequency; 60Hz Dimensions Pre; 500W x 430D x 110H mm Dimensions ReGenerator P.S: 500W x 430D x 110H mm Weight (Pre & Power Supply); 43 kg Specifications subject to change without notice Review Spheris III is a perfect fit for me. I could easily enjoy music with every of the above mentioned preamplifiers and be Page 3/6
really happy about it, but it is Ayon that comes closest to my personal expectations, that is the best "fit... - Wojciech Pacu?a, REVIEW SUMMARY: As of today the Spheris III really nor reasonably cannot be improved anymore; it is matured in itself for almost 23 years and brought to perfection as perhaps no other series tube preamplifier on the actual world market. One can't really overrate preamplifier's role in audio system. From time perspective I can now see that preamplifier shapes the final sound in a way that is more difficult to perceive (unlike when one changes amplifier, speakers, or source). But it is a preamplifier that plays the key role, that sets a sonic direction for the whole system. In my opinion top models of speakers of most brands aren't really their best ones, when it comes to amplifiers and digital sources sometimes top models are the best and sometimes they are not, but when it comes to preamplifiers flagships always offer top performance. Spheris III is not only Ayon's flagship linestage but it is also one of the best linestages I've listened so far to. What's more the set of features it brings to the table, the way it shapes the sound of my system is almost perfectly "tailored" to my needs and expectations. In other words, Spheris III is a perfect addition to "High Fidelity's" reference system making it Page 4/6
complete. I am sure that it is still possible to create even better device, and I am sure it will be developed. But I also realize that it will be very, very difficult and it will take a lot of time. How do I know that? Well, I've been waiting for Spheris III in its today's form for 10 years! Spheris III allows listener to hear or understand exactly what I am talking about. It adds some density, richness to the sound, it increases the depth of the sound. That means it modifies sound in such a way to fit a huge church, stadium, or a large club into a very limited space listener has in his room. I like that! That's what I want/need/expect. I think that this sort of sound modification is the right one for a high-end audio in general. It allows a system to convey more layers of music. With Spheris there are large, very distinct, palpable, intense phantom images rendered in space. Each of them combines many layers that overlap one another to create something that I would describe as "natural" sound, assuming that "natural" means: causing impressions similar to those we experience during live concert. That means that this "artificiality" of music reproduction is somehow not an issue here. It is still not the same thing as "live music", it is "an impression of naturalness". One listens to Page 5/6
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) the music and gets sucked in. Link http://www.audioreference.co.nz/product/ayon-spheris-iii-state-art-tube-preamp-dual-chassis-ac-regenerator Page 6/6