Ayon audio Ayon CD-10 II
The Ayon CD-10 II makes digital playback feel organic, physical and deeply involving, pairing powerful bass with textured, lifelike mids and airy, articulate treble. HiFi Advice found its rhythmic drive and authority exceptional, while its CD player, DAC and digital-preamp roles make this a versatile, premium hub for disc-led systems.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
91/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Bold, organic and emotionally engaging sound with powerful bass, richly textured midrange and articulate, airy treble.
Highly dynamic, rhythmically infectious delivery with impressive solidity and authority.
Flexible all-in-one functionality as a CD player, DAC, digital preamplifier and transport, with coaxial, optical and USB inputs plus RCA/XLR outputs.
Premium construction and strong value relative to higher-end Ayon models.
Cons
USB/server playback was reported as slightly less organic and spatially free-flowing than CD replay.
As a standalone transport feeding an external DAC, it loses some of the integrated player's authority, expression and dynamic impact.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 91/100
Reviewers describe a full-bodied, organic and emotionally involving presentation rather than a coolly analytical one. Its powerful bass, textured midrange, airy but articulate treble, strong rhythmic drive and spacious presentation make it especially appealing for listeners who want digital playback to feel vivid and musically generous.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
HiFi Advice found the CD-10 II bold, sonorous and earthy, with an organic and emotionally captivating delivery. Bass is called solid and remarkably powerful, the midrange rich and lifelike, and the treble a convincing blend of precision and airy finesse rather than dryness or excessive analysis.
Resolution Detail
91/100
The review reports good openness, transparency and detail, along with fabulously convincing texture and a large soundstage extending beyond the front wall. It prioritizes musical coherence over an aggressively dissected presentation, so its detail is presented as natural and integrated rather than spotlighted.
Digital Performance
88/100
The CD-10 II is reported to sound strong not only from discs but also when used as a USB-fed DAC, where it remains engaging and enjoyable. HiFi Advice did find server playback a little less organic and spatially free-flowing than CD replay, which modestly tempers an otherwise very positive account of its digital implementation.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
This is a flexible disc player that can also serve as a DAC, digital preamplifier and CD transport in a compact digital system. Input switching from the remote is straightforward, while the supplied reviews offer limited detail on longer-term interface behavior or day-to-day software operation.
Streaming Software
85/100
As a disc-focused player, the CD-10 II does not depend on a streaming app for its core operation. Reviewers note remote-controlled input switching, but provide little further commentary on interface ergonomics, setup experience or long-term control usability.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Beyond CD playback, it functions as a DAC, digital preamp and transport, giving it unusually broad utility for a disc player. Coaxial, optical and USB inputs allow connection to external digital sources, while RCA and balanced XLR outputs suit a wide range of systems.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
HiFi Advice says the CD-10 II shares the same build quality as Ayon's higher-end models, despite being its more affordable player. The video review likewise says it looks considerably more expensive than it is, supporting the impression of substantial, premium execution.
Value for Money
92/100
At roughly 5995 to 6790, this is a premium-priced CD player, but HiFi Advice explicitly calls its price/performance ratio excellent. That assessment is supported by the reviewer's view that it combines the construction of pricier Ayon models with DAC and digital-preamp functionality in one component.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- CD-Player
- Ayon CD-10II
- Conversion rate
- 768kHz / 32 bit & DSD256
- DAC configuration
- Fully symmetrical / AKM-Japan
- Dynamic range
- > 119dB
- Output level @1 kHz / 0,775V -0dB Low
- 0 – 2.2 V / variable
- Output level @1 kHz / 0,775V -0dB High
- 0 – 4.4V / variable
- Output impedance Single-Ended-RCA
- ~ 300 Ω
- Output impedance Balanced-XLR
- ~ 300 Ω
- Digital output
- 75 Ω S/PDIF (RCA)
- Digital input
- 75 Ω S/PDIF (RCA) USB – 24/192 kHz & DSD128 TosLink
- S/N ratio
- > 119 dB
- Frequency response
- 20Hz – 40kHz +/- 0.3dB
- Total harmonic distortion @ 1kHz
- < 0.001%
- Remote control
- Yes
- Output complement
- RCA & XLR
- Dimension (WxDxH)
- 48 x 36 x 12 cm
- Weight
- 13 kg.
Manufacturer's Description — Ayon audio
Ayon CD-10 II Signature – Tube CD Player – DAC – Volume Control
Full PCM to DSD Conversion – 128 & 256 – Remarkable!
Ayon is pleased to introduce the CD-10II, a new redesign of our already very highly regarded CD-10 and CD-1sx model offering.
The CD-10II is in many respects a ground breaking CD DAC Player design, with an advanced technology such as the single ended triode 2x 6N6P tube output stage.
Features & Design
Full PCM to DSD Conversion – 128 & 256 – Remarkable!
Full featured Pure Class A Triode Vacuum Tube – Top Loader CD Player
Pure Class A triode vacuum tube output stage for single ended & balanced operation, 2 x 6N6P tubes in the output stage.
Signal Path
We believe that the simplest circuits work best together with the shortest signal path. That is why our pre-amplifiers to date have used single ended pure class A circuitry. The shorter the signal path, the less possibility of sonic degradation from various sources, including the wire itself. Even on the circuit boards, the copper traces are kept to a very minimum length. The completely redesigned circuit board provides a more straightforward and direct approach to the signal paths.
-Logical sequenced soft-start power up for extended tube life
-Warm up function
-0dB negative feedback (of any kind )
-Ultra short signal path
-Simplest direct circuit path for purest musical sound and high reliability
-Low output impedance for driving long runs interconnect to an amplifier, and any tube or solid statepower amp
-No solid state devices in the analog tube output (signal path )
-Minimal discrete wiring for optimum signal propagation
-No followers or buffers in the signal path
-No DC servo that degrades the signal
-High quality parts throughout
-Fully hand assembled to insure the highest level of craftsmanship
-Separate analog output stage for left and right channel
-Digital input – S/PDIF (RCA), & TosLink
-USB input – 24/384 kHz and DSD 64x/128x
-Digital output – S/PDIF (RCA)
-Full function remote control
Power Supply
The power supplies have been further refined with new components and enhanced AC line noise filtration. Separate power transformer windings and filters provide total isolation between the input and output stage which makes this a pure power source which is a critical attribute for a 6H30 vacuum tube output stage. We also use electrolytic capacitors with much larger storage capacity to make up for the loss in filtering when using resistors in lieu of inductors.
-R-Core / Low noise – insulated power transformer for digital & analog
-Innovative power supply provides a high speed energy delivery on transients
-Separate and isolated power supplies over each stage of amplification
-AC power line filter to avoid noise and hash from entering into the unit.
-Tube rectification for analog output stage
-10 separate voltage regulators
Components
The type of parts used, therefore, must have a synergistic relationship to the circuit they are placed in. It is this relationship of, which type of part to use where, that sets our products apart from the masses.
-Selected, premium quality passive components used in all applications
-High speed & high quality audiophile grade coupling capacitors
-High quality special tube sockets with gold pins
-Capacitors ( MKP 2% )
-High quality – RCA & XLR jack
-Gold-plated industrial grade PCB
Mechanical Construction
The high grade aluminum chassis imparts a richer, more lustrous tonality with a cleaner background and less hash and grain. All brushed anodized anti-vibration-resonance and non-magnetic chassis’s are fully hand assembled to insure the highest level of craftsmanship.
-Backlit function buttons
-Modified suspension system to isolate the CD transport from mechanical vibrations
-Anti-vibration magnetic CD-clamp system with dark acrylic CD-LID
-The aluminum feet are resonance absorbing types
-Metal remote commander
-Chassis finish: black / chrome
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ayon audio Ayon CD-10 II
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Ambiance Concert — in-store — Angers, Pays de la Loire, France (website)
- AMPL’HIFI — online and in-store — Nîmes, Occitanie, France (website)
- Audio Gallery — online and in-store — Las Rozas de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Audio Vinyl — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
- AUIDOtrend — in-store — Kraków, Województwo małopolskie, Poland (website)
- Ayon audio USA — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Chameleon Audio — online — Greece (website)
- Class A Audio — in-store — Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia (website)
and 19 more verified dealers
