Ayon audio Ayon S-3
The Ayon S-3 makes a persuasive hub for ambitious digital systems, pairing a superbly finished aluminum chassis with wide-ranging digital connectivity, USB playback and both RCA/XLR outputs. Hifi Statement highlights its substantial construction and unusually flexible input array, while Ethernet and Wi-Fi support broaden placement options for a polished, high-end network-player centerpiece.
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Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
50/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Usability
61/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Massive, superbly finished aluminum chassis with solid feet.
Versatile digital connectivity, including AES/EBU, RCA and BNC S/PDIF, Toslink, and I2S.
Flexible network and local-storage playback via Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and front/rear USB ports.
Cons
Wi-Fi playback is limited to 24-bit/96kHz.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 50/100
The supplied review does not report listening impressions, so it offers no direct evidence about the S-3's tonal character, detail retrieval, or digital presentation. Its tube-based output stage and published specifications are not a substitute for reviewer listening evidence.
Tonal Balance Musicality
50/100
The review provides no comments on tonal balance, timbre, smoothness, musical engagement, or long-session listenability. Although the S-3 uses a 6H30 tube, the supplied material does not describe how its own analog output sounds.
Resolution Detail
50/100
No listening observations address micro-detail, imaging, separation, low-level information, or spatial depth. The review therefore gives little indication of how the S-3 compares with peers in resolving subtle musical information.
Digital Performance
50/100
Published figures list 24-bit/192kHz conversion capability and strong claimed noise and distortion measurements, but the review does not assess digital cleanliness, background quietness, or conversion quality in use. There is no reported evidence of either digital artifacts or exceptional digital refinement.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 61/100
The S-3 is generously equipped with digital inputs, wired and wireless network access, USB storage connections, and both RCA and balanced analog outputs. However, the supplied review does not describe its control software, setup process, interface responsiveness, or streaming-service integration.
Streaming Software
50/100
The review confirms both Ethernet and Wi-Fi networking but says nothing about the player software, library navigation, app control, stability, or supported streaming services. Wireless transmission is noted as being limited to 24-bit/96kHz, rather than the unit's stated 24-bit/192kHz capability.
Features Connectivity
87/100
Hifi Statement calls the rear-panel provision highly versatile and flexible, citing AES/EBU, RCA and BNC S/PDIF, Toslink, and I2S inputs. Ethernet, Wi-Fi, front and rear USB storage ports, analog line inputs, and RCA/XLR outputs add meaningful system flexibility, with the Wi-Fi resolution limit the main stated caveat.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Hifi Statement describes the S-3 as having a massive, superbly finished aluminum chassis supported by four solid feet. This is direct praise for its physical execution and substantial construction, though the review does not discuss long-term reliability or internal component layout.
Value for Money
85/100
At $5,750, the S-3 sits in a premium network-player segment and offers extensive connection options alongside substantial casework. The supplied review does not comment on whether its performance and facilities represent strong value against competing players at this price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
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Specifications
- Network-Player
- Ayon S-3
- Conversion rate
- 192kHz / 24 bit
- Tube complement
- 6H30
- Dynamic range
- > 118dB
- Channel separation
- >105dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Output level @1 kHz / 0,775V -0dB /RCA
- 2V fixed or 0 – 2V rms variable
- Output impedance Single-Ended-RCA
- ~ 700 Ω
- Digital ouput
- 75 Ω S/PDIF (RCA)
- Digital inputs
- 75 Ω S/PDIF (RCA & up to 24/192kHz), TosLink (up to 24/192kHz) 110 Ω AES/EBU (up to 24/192kHz) 75 Ω BNC (up to 24/192kHz) I2S (up to 24/192kHz) Front mounted USB type ‘A’ socket for USB “pen”/hard disk drive Rear mounted USB type ‘A’ socket for USB “pen”/hard disk drive
- Network inputs
- RP-SMA plug Wifi Aerial input (“wireless” network connection) 802.11b/g UTP RJ45 10/100Mbps socket (“wired” network connection)
- S/N ratio
- > 110 dB
- Frequency response
- 10Hz – 50kHz +/- 0.3dB
- Total harmonic distortion @ 1kHz
- < 0.002%
- Remote control
- Yes
- Analog – Line Inputs & output
- 2 pair RCA and 1 pair RCA out
- Analog – Main outputs
- 1 pair / RCA & 1 pair / XLR
- Dimension (Wide x Deep – incl. terminals x High – incl. feet)
- 18.89 x 15.35 x 4.72 inches
- Weight, unit only
- 35 lbs – Shipping weight 42 lbs
Manufacturer's Description — Ayon audio
Ayon S-3 – Vacuum Tube Streamer – Tube Network Player – Volume Control
Features & Design
Full-featured Network Music Player/DAC/Preamp
Class-A triode vacuum-tube output stage for single-ended & balanced operation
Signal Path
We believe that the simplest circuits work best together with the shortest signal path. That’s why our pre-amplifiers to date have used single-ended pure class-A circuitry. The shorter the signal path is, 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.
Network Player Functionality
*User interface on QVGA 3.5” TFT display
*Internet radio (vTuner)
*UPnP streaming from PC via 100base-T Ethernet
*Support for 802.11n modules (via separate bcd file)
*Streaming audio from USB HS (mass storage device)
*WAV (lpcm) – 24/192 kHz
*FLAC – 24/192 kHz
*FLAC – 24/176 kHz supported
*AIFF
*Displaying AlbumArt embedded in AIFF files
*AAC, HE-AAC (up to 24bit 96 kHz)
*Displaying AlbumArt embedded in AAC files
*LPCM (up to 24/192 kHz on wired LAN and up to 24/96 kHz on wireless LAN)
*Gapless playback
*NetAPI streaming – for iPad, iPhone, Android, Mac and Windows versions.
*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 state power 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
*Separate analog output stage for left and right channel
*Burr Brown D/A converter
*Upsampling 24/192 kHz and on/off switchable
*Ethernet ( RJ45 )
*Memory stick or USB drive
*WIFI
*Digital input – S/PDIF (RCA), I2S , AES/EBU, BNC & TosLink
*USB inputs (24/192 kHz)
*Digital output – S/PDIF (RCA)
*Electrical-Analog Volume control system
*2 pair analog input ( RCA)
*1 pair Tape out ( RCA )
*Separate Display for Network-Player and Volume/ Inputs
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 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.
*Dual R-Core / Low noise – insulated power transformers for digital & analog separated
*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.
*Dual tube rectification for 6H30 analog output stage
*Choke with Film caps
*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 mass.
*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 back-ground 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.
*AC phase polarity control indicator
*The aluminium feet are resonance absorbing types
*Metal remote commander
*Chassis finish: black / chrome
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ayon audio Ayon S-3
- 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
