Интегральные усилители — Ayon Audio Ayon Scorpio III

The Scorpio III is a valve integrated amplifier from Ayon Audio of Gratkorn, Austria, and the third generation of a line that grew out of the Orion, the low-cost model Ayon introduced in 2008. It sits second from the bottom of the company's amplifier price list. Compared with the Scorpio II, Ayon reinforced the mains transformer and power supply and fitted new output transformers while keeping the outward design and basic layout. In the Netherlands it was sold for EUR 4,400.

Key specs that matter

Four output tubes run in class A push-pull, and buyers choose EL34, KT88 or KT150. Ayon rates the pentode mode at 38 W, 43 W or 55 W per channel for those three types, and the triode mode at 25 W, 30 W or 35 W. There are four RCA line inputs, and an optional board adds USB with a DAC for PCM up to 32 bit and 384 kHz and DSD256. Input sensitivity is 350 mV for full output with 100 kohm input impedance, bandwidth is given as 15 Hz to 40 kHz and signal-to-noise ratio as 95 dB. Global negative feedback is zero. The chassis measures 460 x 360 x 260 mm (width, depth, height) and weighs 29 kg.

Engineering and use context

Signal first meets a Soviet-made 6Zh8 metal-bulb octal pentode, the Russian counterpart of the 6SJ7, and 6N8S dual triodes act as phase splitter and driver. No semiconductor sits in the audio path, although the power supply is solid-state and uses two potted power transformers plus a choke, with separate transformers and filtering for the input and output stages. A microprocessor handles automatic bias - it adapts tube voltages to the mains supply, corrects bias as tubes age, soft-starts the valves and protects them from overload, and a manual bias mode is also offered. A small LED readout on the rear reports tube condition, and a vintage-style VU meter displays bias current, a feature previously kept for costlier Ayon models. Stages are coupled with polypropylene capacitors, volume uses an Alps potentiometer, and the brushed aluminium chassis is non-magnetic. A rear button switches between pentode and triode operation, and the change has to be made with the amplifier turned off.

Pairing

Copper CMC speaker terminals provide separate 4 and 8 ohm taps, and Ayon describes the design as suited to difficult loads. A small metal remote controls volume and mute.

Alternatives

The Ayon Spirit V is another tube integrated in the range, using KT88 output tubes in class A push-pull with the same pentode or triode switch.