CD / SACD players and transports — Ayon Audio Ayon CD-35 II

The Ayon CD-35 II is a top-loader CD player from Ayon Audio with a pure Class A triode vacuum-tube output stage and a fully balanced PCM-DSD DAC. Beyond playing discs, it is built to accept a computer or music server and professional DSD sources through its digital inputs. Ayon follows the idea that the simplest circuits with the shortest signal path work best, and the redesigned board uses single-ended pure Class A circuitry with short copper traces. The circuit runs with zero feedback and a tube-rectified power supply.

Key specs that matter

The converter section is fully symmetrical with AKM chips and handles up to 768 kHz at 32 bit as well as DSD 256. Ayon quotes a dynamic range above 120 dB, an S/N figure over 119 dB and total harmonic distortion below 0.001% at 1 kHz, with frequency response from 20 Hz to 50 kHz within 0.3 dB. Two output settings are available - Low at 2.5 V fixed or 0 to 2.5 V variable, and High at 5 V fixed or 0 to 5 V variable. Output impedance is about 300 ohm on both RCA and XLR connectors. The chassis measures 48 x 39 x 12 cm and weighs 17 kg, finished in black and chrome, and a remote control is included.

Engineering and use context

A GZ30 rectifier tube supplies the 6H30 and 5687 triodes of the output stage, and the analogue stage has no followers or buffers and no solid-state devices in its signal path. Two separate low-noise R-Core transformers power the digital and analogue sections, choke filtering is used, and 10 separate voltage regulators feed the individual stages. An optional DSP module adds switchable true PCM to DSD conversion, so incoming PCM can be converted before it reaches the DAC. Digital sources connect via S/PDIF on RCA, BNC, AES/EBU, I2S, USB at up to 24 bit and 192 kHz and DSD128, and three BNC connectors for DSD. The coaxial RCA digital output hands the data on to an outboard DAC. The transport has an anti-vibration magnetic integral clamp and lid in dark acrylic, and a modified suspension isolates the mechanism from vibration.

Pairing

Amplifiers with XLR inputs can take the balanced output, and the RCA sockets serve single-ended line inputs. In variable mode the player is able to run a power amp or powered speakers directly, with level set from the handset, and the digital inputs accept a computer or a server.

Alternatives

The Ayon CD-35 II HF is the limited edition of the same CD player with a 600 ohm balanced output and upgraded parts.