Ayre KX-R User manual

Table of
Contents
Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Setup and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Optimization and Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
In Case of Trouble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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 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 KX-R will provide you a lifetime of musical
enjoyment.
Quick Start
The Ayre KX-R is extremely flexible and versatile. However,
many of the features are primarily of interest to the advanced
user.
The information required to get started is contained in the first
three chapters of this manual.
The remaining chapters cover additional information that may
be read at your leisure.
2

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 infrared beam of the remote transmitter
will also travel through glass.
A good location for your preamplifier is in a 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 a single-ended connection.
The Ayre KX-R offers four pairs of balanced inputs and four
pairs of single-ended inputs. Balanced connections are made via
three-pin XLR connectors, while single-ended connections are
made via RCA connectors. The inputs are labeled “1” through
“8”, and the connectors for the two channels are arranged in a
mirror-image fashion.
3

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 single-ended
power amplifier, high-quality adapters are available from your
Ayre dealer. Two output connectors per channel are provided,
and may be used simultaneously if desired.
Using an adapter to connect to a single-ended amplifier will
result in a 6 dB reduction of signal level. If the KX-R is driving
two sets of amplifiers, one balanced and one single-ended, be
sure to compensate for the difference in level.
Tape Outputs
The tape outputs are controlled via a
button on the remote handset. When the
tape outputs are active, the selected source
name will be shown in inverted colors
(black text on a blue background).
The Ayre KX-R provides two tape outputs per channel,
allowing connection of the selected source component to a
recording device, headphone amplifier, or secondary sound
system. These tape outputs utilize balanced XLR connectors.
Should it be necessary to connect a tape output to a
4

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 will not convert the
signal from a single-ended source to a true balanced signal.
Instead, the “hot” signal will be present on pin 2 of the XLR
and pin1 and 3 will be grounded. This allows a connected
balanced component to internally perform the single-ended to
balanced conversion without the need for adapters.
AyreLink Ports
The AyreLink communication system provides a convenient
way to control your audio system. There are two AyreLink ports
on the rear panel of the KX-R preamplifier. Each port has four
contacts and contains both an input and an output. Both ports
function identically and may be used interchangeably.
AyreLink connections are made with commonly available
two-line telephone line cords using modular (RJ-11)
connectors. (These are the cords that connect the telephone set
to the wall in many countries.) They are readily available in
different lengths and various colors at most electronics stores.
Be sure to use two-line telephone cords to make
AyreLink connections. These can be identified by
the four gold contacts on each connector.
Single-line cords with only two gold contacts will
not function in this application.
5

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 form a loop will
cause the AyreLink system not to function.
If there are no AyreLink-equipped source components in your
system, the power status of the KX-R preamplifier may also be
controlled by a trigger output from a source component. In this
case, AyreLink-equipped amplifiers may still be connected to
the KX-R. Connect the AyreLink ports of your amplifiers in
daisy-chain fashion as described above. The unused AyreLink
port on the KX-R preamplifier can then be used as a trigger
input. Additional details can be found in the chapter
“Optimization and Customization”.
AC Power
The KX-R may be plugged directly into an unswitched wall
outlet. 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.
6

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 is
applied.
Activating Inputs
The desired inputs are activated simply by naming them. When
AC power is first applied to the unit, the front panel will briefly
display “Ayre KX-R” and “FW Rev. x” in sequence, where “FW Rev.
x” indicates “Firmware Revision x”, where “x” is a letter from
“A” to “Z”.
Assuming that none of the inputs have yet been configured, the
unit will then automatically enter the setup mode. The front
panel will then briefly display “Setup Mode”.
After automatically entering the setup mode, the front panel
will display “Set1 Unused”.
7
Ayre KX-R
FW Rev. x
Setup Mode
Set1 Unused

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 scroll through the list of available
names (shown at the left). Selecting “Unused” disables that
input, while selecting any other name from the list will activate
that input. Select a name that describes the component
connected to the chosen input.
When the desired name has been selected, press the left-hand
button to navigate to the previous menu level. The front panel
will show that the selected name has been assigned to the
chosen input.
8
Unused
CD
Phono
DVD
SACD
SSP
Digital
Tuner
Aux
Tape
D/A
CD-R
DAT
Sat
Cable
Video
TV
VCR
LD
PX-R
CX-R
DX-R
P-5xe
C-5xeMP
DX-5
CX-7eMP
QB-9
D-1xe
Input x
Custom x

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 sophisticated input
configuration options, including the creation of custom names
for source components. Please refer to the chapter
“Optimization and Customization” for further details.
9
Exiting Setup

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 precision stepping
motors using aerospace “fly-by-wire” technology. Turning one
of the knobs generates pulses via contactless optical encoders. A
microprocessor decodes these commands and sends control
signals to operate the stepping motors, resulting in a reassuring
audible “thunk” as the switches are rotated.
10

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 they respond to a
slowly increasing pressure.
All of the front panel controls are duplicated on the included
remote control handset. This handset also includes additional
functions that are less frequently used, as well as the ability to
control an Ayre disc player.
Standby/Operate
There is a small green LED at the right-hand side of the
front-panel display. This is illuminated when the preamplifier
is in standby mode. The unit may be toggled between standby
and operate modes either with the left-hand button or via the
remote control handset.
Input Select
The desired source component may be selected with either the
left-hand knob or the remote control handset, and the assigned
name is displayed on the front panel.
Although there are eight total inputs on the Ayre KX-R, only
the activated (named) inputs will be listed among the available
sources. This greatly simplifies operation of the unit.
11

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 available
level, the front panel will briefly display the message “Max”.
Mute
The mute button on the right side of the unit provides an easy
way to temporarily turn the volume of the KX-R to “zero”
while retaining the current volume setting in memory. Pressing
the mute button a second time restores the volume to the
previous level.
When the mute function is activated, the memorized volume
control setting will be shown in inverted colors (black text on a
blue background).
Display Brightness
The brightness of the front-panel display may be controlled via
the remote control. There are three brightness levels and a
“display off” setting. Each press of the remote control button
scrolls through the four available brightness settings.
A small blue light indicates that the display is turned off.
When further commands are received, either from the
front-panel buttons or the remote control, the normal display
12

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 in
inverted colors (black text on a blue
background).
The tape outputs are controlled by a button on the remote
control handset. Pressing the button activates the tape outputs,
and pressing it a second time will turn them off.
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.
AyreLink
The AyreLink communication system provides integrated
control functions for your audio system. Linked components
will turn on automatically with the touch of a single button,
and other features are also available. Unlike conventional
communication systems or system controllers, the AyreLink
system uses opto-isolators to eliminate the possibility of
undesired ground loops.
13

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 a linked source component will also
turn on a linked preamplifier and all linked power amplifiers.
Turning on a linked source component will also automatically
select that input on the KX-R preamplifier. For additional
information, refer to the chapter “Optimization and
Customization”.
Standby
A short press on the standby button of a linked component will
turn that individual component off. A longer press (more than
two seconds) of either the front-panel button or the remote
handset will turn off all linked components.
A long button press of either the front-panel button or the
remote handset provides a simple way to turn the entire audio
system off from any linked component.
Display Brightness
The display brightness is adjusted via the
remote control handset.
Changing the brightness level on the display of any linked
component will cause a matching change in all linked
components, including the status LED of the MX-R amplifiers.
Multi-Channel Operation
As an example, three preamplifiers may be
linked together to create a six-channel
configuration.
The Ayre KX-R may also be used in a multi-channel system. A
change to any of the units (e.g., volume level, input selection,
mute, et cetera) will be transmitted to the other linked
preamplifiers and they will act in concert.
14

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-5xeMP disc player. The button
with three horizontal lines operates the “Audio” function that
selects between various soundtracks on a DVD disc. Please refer
the C-5xeMP owner’s manual for additional details.
The remote handset may also be easily configured to operate
either the Ayre CX-7eMP CD player or the Ayre DX-5
Universal A/V Engine, which use different command sets.
Please refer to the chapter “Optimization and Customization”
for details.
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 wires ,
capacitors, and circuit board materials, a break-in period is
necessary for the preamplifier to reach its full sonic potential.
Each input uses a different physical path on the input circuit
board. Therefore a separate break-in period is required for
each input.
16

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 installations it may be desirable to
customize additional settings for each input.
Setup Mode
The setup mode allows the following settings to be
independently adjusted for each input:
•Name - for easy identification of source components
•Gain Offset - for level matching of source components
•Balance - for channel matching of source components
•Bypass - for integration with a surround-sound processor
•AyreLink - for automatic input selection of linked components
To enter the setup mode, make sure that the preamplifier is in
the standby state. Then press and hold the right-hand button
for five seconds. The front panel will then briefly display “Setup
Mode” and then enter the setup mode.
17
Setup Mode

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 button to enter the next
menu level. The left-hand knob will select which setting you
wish to configure for that input.
18
Name
Offset
Balance
Gain
AyreLink
Set1 [current name]

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” represents the selected input number.
2) Press the right-hand button to enter the next menu level.
The current name will be displayed, with the first character
highlighted with a cursor (black characters on a blue
background). The left hand knob selects the cursor position.
3) Use the right-hand knob to select the desired character. The
character set includes A - Z, a - z, 0 - 9, a hyphen, a decimal
point, and a blank. There are three locations for the blank
character, one between each group of characters. These
additional blanks divide the groups of characters and make it
easier to locate a blank character when desired.
4) After creating the desired custom name, press the left-hand
button to back up to the previous level in the setup menu.
Offset
Source components may have varying output levels. In order to
maintain a constant volume level when changing sources, the
Ayre KX-R allows a gain offset to be applied to each input.
The gain offset offers an adjustment from +0 dB to +6 dB in 1
dB increments. Therefore the source components with lower
output levels may be boosted to match the source components
with higher output levels.
19
Unused
CD
Phono
DVD
SACD
SSP
Digital
Tuner
Aux
Tape
D/A
CD-R
DAT
Sat
Cable
Video
TV
VCR
LD
PX-R
CX-R
DX-R
P-5xe
C-5xeMP
DX-5
CX-7eMP
QB-9
D-1xe
Input x
Custom 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 “Max”.
Balance
In rare cases a source component may have a channel imbalance,
particularly phono cartridges. To adjust for this, the channel
balance for either channel can be varied from +0 dB to +3 dB in
1 dB steps on each input. If there is an asymmetry in the room
acoustics or loudspeaker placement, it may be desirable to
adjust the channel balance on all of the used inputs.
Once you have selected the “Balance” menu item with the
left-hand knob, simply select the desired balance level with the
right-hand knob.
Changing the balance 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 “Max”.
Gain
When using the Ayre KX-R in a surround-sound system for
home theater, it is desirable to use the “Processor
Pass-Through” mode. This allows your two-channel music
sources to be routed directly through the KX-R, avoiding the
sonic degradation of most processors, and at the same time
allows the front two channels of the theater system to
20
Offset +0dB
Balance +0dB