I examined Ayre V-5xe power amp, and found that in standby mode, Ayre simple shorts its inputs [without any prebuffers].
[Pretty weird, but there are another power amplifiers work like that …]
I remember we discussed that PWD has 100 ohms protection resistors , but I would still like to know …
Can it do any damage to PWD [in long run], playing with shorted outputs ?
I seriously doubt it, but to make sure, just put the PWD in standby mode too.
J.P.
valer_valer said: . . . in standby mode, Ayre simple shorts its inputs . . .
I did not know that any amps or preamps did this. It sounds potentially dangerous for connected equipment. I understand why you are a bit concerned.
And how do you think I found out about this?
The PWD has two output jacks - balanced and unbalanced [unbalanced actually is a HOT balanced ].
When I was doing A/B comparison of two power amps, I turned off the Ayre, and to my surprise, the second amplifier has been muted too.
And since “there’s no two versions here, it’s simply …” , I just pulled out Ayre’s connectors from PWD.
valer_valer said: . . . to my surprise, the second amplifier has been muted too.
This would be quite a surprise. :)
Good detective work.
Actually, for my wife and children it was a pleasant surprise …
Currently evaluating Ayre’s new power amp. It’s class A/B, 175W@8 monster.
Really good synergy with the PWD especially on my speakers.
Compared to the previous version, it’s have a full body much deeper bass, and hot, tube like FR, but with good resolution highs …
Which speakers?
@valer_valer
What a coincidence! I am doing a home audition with the new Ayre VX-5 amplifier along with second audition of the Audio Research Reference 5SE preamp starting this Monday. My present amp, an H20 Audio had too low of an input impedance to mate well with my first go around with the Ref 5 with a bass drop off in comparison to my GNS modified Reference 2. I also have a PWD as well as an Ayre c-5xeMP SACD player. Really excited to hear this pair of components on my big ProAcs.
nordicbob said: Audio Research Reference 5SE preamp
NUMMY!
Please let us know how the combination works out for you.
nordicbob said: My present amp, an H20 Audio had too low of an input impedance to mate well with my first go around with the Ref 5 with a bass drop off in comparison to my GNS modified Reference 2
My main source is PWD. I love its sound signature, and looking for very transparent amp, for my very transparent speakers. Very simple theory :)
Ayre VX-5 have 26dB gain, and if you connect it unbalanced, you can keep your usual listening [PWD] volume above 40-50%.
Preamps usually adds its own sound, which, depending on your preferences, is a compliment or an insult ..
nordicbob said: My present amp, an H20 Audio had too low of an input impedance to mate well with my first go around with the Ref 5 with a bass drop off in comparison to my GNS modified Reference 2
My main source is PWD. I love its sound signature, and looking for very transparent amp, for my very transparent speakers. Very simple theory :)
Ayre VX-5 have 26dB gain, and if you connect it unbalanced, you can keep your usual listening [PWD] volume above 40-50%.
Preamps usually adds its own sound, which, depending on your preferences, is a compliment or an insult ..
I've tried my PWD directly into my amp ,but to my ears and in my system the magic is gone. I've also tried other passive devices over the years as my system evolved including the various one's that came with some of the Melos preamps which sounded very clear, but I always preferred a good preamp like one of the ARC Reference models.
In addition to the music that I have ripped which goes to the PWD, I also have about 130 SACDs which I play through my Ayre SACD player so I need more than one input.
nordicbob said: Audio Research Reference 5SE preamp
NUMMY!
Please let us know how the combination works out for you.
Will do. I am also posting my audition reports on Audio Aficionado so you might also check there if interested.
@valer_valer
I forgot to ask you, do you plug the VX-5 directly into a wall outlet, a power conditioner, or a power regenerator like the P10?
Thanks. Bob
nordicbob said: do you plug the VX-5 directly into a wall outlet, a power conditioner, or a power regenerator like the P10?
No, I don't have one. Wall outlet, of course.
BTW, Similarly to my theory with PREs, I always used to make the simple comparison:
MyBudget = PriceOf( PowerAmp1 )
vs.
MyBudget = PriceOf( PowerAmp2+PreAmp+PowerRegenerator+Cables+Wife'sCar #-o ).
which combi sounds better ?
In your case 8K + 13K + 5K + 1K(cables) = 26K
i.e. PowerAmp1 = 26K, it's completely different league power amp ...
On the other hand, I agree with you, in order to get Max HF resolution from PWD, you should hold the volume over 70%. And that's only possible with a preamp.
@valer_valer
Our best bet on everything audio is to trust our ears when making decisions. Aside from that we have to stay within our budget. Right? Just my 2 cents.
nordicbob said: Our best bet on everything audio is to trust our ears when making decisions
And what about the build quality ?
For example, during VX-5 demo unit's evaluation, the Out DC Offset I had measured, was about 40mV for both channels. After running it for an 3 hours, the left channel DC had dropped to 19mV, but the right channel rised to 140mV, when acceptable value is less than - 50mV.
Now I waiting for a response from Ayre's support.
nordicbob said: Our best bet on everything audio is to trust our ears when making decisions
And what about the build quality ?
For example, during VX-5 demo unit's evaluation, the Out DC Offset I had measured, was about 40mV for both channels. After running it for an 3 hours, the left channel DC had dropped to 19mV, but the right channel rised to 140mV, when acceptable value is less than - 50mV.
Now I waiting for a response from Ayre's support.
What did the Ayre support tell you? A defective unit?
So we shouldn't trust our ears?