Интегральные усилители — Ayon Audio Ayon Triton EVO

The Triton Evo is a tube-driven stereo integrated made by the Austrian firm Ayon Audio that succeeded the Triton III after eight years of production of the earlier model. Ayon calls it a complete redesign rather than an update, with fresh boards for operation and protection, a new driver stage, a new choke system, an updated bias system and a new volume control. It runs four KT150 tubes per channel, with KT170 also listed, and offers selectable triode or pentode operation.

Key specs that matter

Ayon gives 2 x 120 W in pentode mode and 2 x 70 W in triode mode, into 4 or 8 ohm. Ayon quotes a frequency response of 8 Hz to 60 kHz and a bandwidth of 8 Hz to 70 kHz at -3 dB. Full power needs 380 mV at the input, input impedance at 1 kHz is 100 kOhm, and negative feedback is 0 dB. Connections include three line inputs, an XLR input, a direct input and one pre-out. An optional USB-DAC handles up to 384 kHz at 24 bit and DSD256. An Alps potentiometer controls level. The case measures 51 by 42 by 25 cm and its weight is 45 kg.

Engineering and use context

The output transformer uses a new coil technology that, according to Ayon, gives steadier operation at the bottom of the range. All gain and driver stages were redesigned for a shorter signal path, and the circuit is pure class A, with neither transistors nor follower or buffer stages in the signal route. Bias works in automatic or manual mode and is shown on an analogue meter. The supply has two separate insulated power transformers, housed in shielded cans, two chokes for the output valves and one more for the front-end and driver circuits. Every stage gets its own isolated supply, and heaters take soft-started regulated DC. Line filtering, in-rush limiting and a sequenced power-on cycle of 1 minute protect the tubes, backed by a protection circuit. Inputs are switched by relays placed next to the RCA jacks. Earthing relies on one star point plus a two-way scheme selectable by a ground switch. Custom sockets hold the tubes by beryllium-copper spring contacts. Neutrik supplies the XLR connectors, and copper matrix wire carries the internal signal. The hand-built aluminium chassis has machined knobs, engraved legends, a backlit logo and a black or chrome finish, and a metal handset covers level and muting.

Pairing

Through the direct input the Triton Evo can work as a power amplifier only, and the pre-out allows another amplifier to be added. According to Ayon it copes with more demanding speaker loads.

Alternatives

Ayon's EVO integrated line also includes the Crossfire EVO Integrated.