Фонокорректоры — Ayre Acoustics PX-8

The PX-8 is a phono preamplifier from Ayre Acoustics, the American electronics company from Boulder, Colorado, and part of its 8-series alongside the QX-8 digital hub and the CX-8 CD player. It became available in May 2025, with a UK price from GBP 6,500. Beyond MM and MC pickups, it can be fitted with an optional third input for DS Audio optical cartridges, the first DS Audio circuit Ayre has built.

Key specs that matter

There is one balanced XLR input and one single-ended RCA input, each with its own gain and load profile set from the front panel instead of DIP switches. Load settings are 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 500 ohm and 1, 5, 10 and 47 kOhm. Gain can be set to 45, 55, 65 or 75 dB. RIAA equalisation is accurate to ±0.05 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Outputs are balanced and single-ended, delivering up to 10 V RMS balanced and 5 V RMS single-ended. Maximum power consumption is 60 W. An optional analogue to digital archiving board adds a USB Class 2 output up to 384 kHz and DSD64 to DSD256, as well as coaxial, TOSLINK and AES/EBU outputs up to 192 kHz. The PX-8 measures 440 x 115 x 330 mm and weighs 5.7 kg.

Engineering and use context

Ayre builds the circuit fully balanced and discrete from JFETs, with no negative feedback, so no signal is fed back from the output to correct the input. The Ayre Diamond Output Stage drives the outputs. RIAA equalisation is passive and divided into two stages, with the frequency shaping split between the gain stages. A multi-stage regulated linear power supply feeds the circuits. Setting gain and load from the front panel means two turntables or tonearms can be connected with different cartridges, each with its own stored settings, and changed without opening the case. A balanced XLR input suits moving-coil cartridges wired balanced from the tonearm, because the cartridge's own two coil ends form a balanced source. The optional archiving board turns the PX-8 into a recorder for vinyl, sending the phono signal as a digital file to a computer over USB. AyreLink lets the PX-8 communicate with other Ayre components for system control.

Pairing

The balanced outputs connect to Ayre preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers, and their generous output level suits every common line stage. The load and gain range covers most moving-coil cartridges, and the DS Audio option adds optical cartridges.

Alternatives

The earlier Ayre P-5xe from the 5 series is the brand's other MM and MC phono preamplifier.