Ayon audio Ayon Spirit V
The Ayon Spirit V brings fast, airy Class-A valve sound with punchy deep bass and a holographic soundstage. SoundStage Solo highlights its transparent, dynamic presentation, while triode/pentode switching and adjustable damping add valuable speaker-matching range. Carefully engineered signal paths, robust protection and versatile analogue connectivity complete a muscular yet spacious high-end integrated.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
92/100
Features Connectivity
85/100
Value for Money
89/100
Pros
Fast, dynamic and punchy presentation with deep bass.
Transparent, airy sound with a holographic stereo soundstage.
Triode/pentode operation and switchable damping offer useful system and speaker matching flexibility.
High-quality construction includes short signal paths and protection for both valves and electronics.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
The available review describes a notably open, fast and powerful presentation, combining transparency with a holographic stereo image. It also highlights punchy, deep bass and the flexibility to choose between triode and pentode operation, though tonal character is discussed less specifically.
Transparency Resolution
90/100
SoundStage Solo calls the Spirit V transparent and airy, indicating a clear, open presentation rather than a veiled or congested one. The review also links this openness to the amplifier's spacious presentation.
Tonal Balance Musicality
84/100
The review characterises the sound as airy and engaging, but offers little detailed discussion of tonal balance, instrumental timbre, warmth, or long-session listening character. The triode and pentode modes give owners useful scope to tailor the presentation to their system and preferences.
Dynamics
92/100
The Spirit V is described as fast, dynamic and punchy, with deep bass performance. Its 65W pentode and 40W triode operating modes should also let listeners choose between greater output capability and the triode presentation.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
SoundStage Solo specifically praises a transparent, holographic soundstage. That is strong evidence of an expansive and dimensional stereo presentation, although the supplied review does not go into detail about image placement or stage depth.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
92/100
SoundStage Solo regards the Spirit V's build quality as a new benchmark in its price class. It also notes short signal paths, very short copper traces, and protective circuitry for both the valves and electronics, all of which point to carefully considered execution.
Features Connectivity
85/100
The Spirit V provides three RCA line inputs, one balanced XLR input, a Direct input, pre-out, and remote control. Switchable triode/pentode operation and the DMP damping system add meaningful system-matching flexibility; a high-resolution USB DAC is available as an option rather than included as standard.
Value for Money
89/100
At AU$9,995 in the cited review and around $9,195 in the supplied product data, the Spirit V is a premium valve integrated amplifier. SoundStage Solo nevertheless describes its build, performance and design as a milestone in its price class, supporting the view that its premium is convincingly supported by its overall package.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Amplifier
- Ayon Spirit V
- Class of Operation
- Triode* or Pentode mode, Class-A*
- Tube Complement
- KT150 or KT170
- Load Impedance
- 4 & 8 Ohms
- Bandwidth
- 10Hz – 60kHz / -3dB
- Output Power-Pentode mode
- 2 x 65 W
- Output Power-Triode mode
- 2 x 40W
- Input sensitivity for full power
- 500mV
- Input Impedance at 1 kHz
- 100 KΩ
- NFB
- 0dB
- Volume Control
- Alps Potentiometer
- Remote Control
- Yes
- Inputs
- 3x Line In, 1 x XLR In, 1 x Direct In
- Output
- 1 x Pre-out
- Conversion rate for USB-DAC (option)
- Up to 384kHz / 24 bit & DSD256
- Dimensions (WxDxH) cm
- 48x37x25 cm
- Weight
- 33 kg
Manufacturer's Description — Ayon audio
Ayon Spirit V
We have fine-tuned the Spirit V (from model year 2022) again to meet the increased requirements of the KT170 tube. We have strengthened the main power transformer, choke and power supply. In addition to the reinforced power supply and energy management, the driver stage has also been optimized.
With the new facelift, we also installed an analog bias meter and prepared a USB-DAC input as an option. The Spirit V is fast, airy, dynamic and powerful in the deep bass, embedded in a transparent and holographic soundstage, to highlight just a few advantages of this exceptional amplifier.
The Spirit V sets a new standard in build quality, sound performance and its timeless design look, a new milestone in its price class.
Features & Design
Full-featured pure class-A tube stereo integrated amp or pure power amplifier
Switchable between pentode and triode mode
Ideal for more difficult loudspeaker loads
Vacuum Tubes
The choice of signal and power tubes have a significant influence on the sound and hence on the inspiration and joy of listening. This is not only the decision between good and bad tubes but finally the interaction of the different types of tubes and their combination that are used in the various Ayon amplifiers.
Signal Path
We believe that the simplest circuits work best together with the shortest signal path. 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.
- Logical sequenced soft-start power up for extended tube life
- Power tube and electronic protection circuit system
- 0dB negative feedback
- Ultra short signal path
- Simplest direct circuit path for purest musical sound and high reliability
- No solid state devices in the signal path
- High current and low impedance design that operates tubes in the best areas their curves
- Minimal discrete wiring for optimum signal propagation
- Automatic and manual bias adjustment
- No followers or buffers in the signal path
- High quality parts throughout
- Selector switch engages relays located near RCA jacks to switch all inputs
Power Supply
The power supplies have been further refined with new components and enhanced AC line noise filtration. Separate power transformers, chokes and filters provide total isolation between the input and output stages which makes this a pure power source. 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.
- 2 separate Low noise –insulated power transformers
- Power transformers are encased, excellent damped and RFI/EMI shielded
- Innovative power supply provides a high speed energy delivery on transients
- Choke filtered power supply for driver stage and KT150 power amp section
- Separate and isolated power supplies over each stage of amplification
- High current filament-regulator for pre and driver tubes
- Regulated DC filament supplies with soft start
- AC power line filter to avoid noise and hash from entering into the unit
- High capacitance energy storage
- Current in-rush limiting
- Auto sequencing – Power on cycle completes in 1 minute
Dual Grounding System
The modification of the grounding topology leads to increased rejection of noise from the power supply and other areas. The dual grounding topology used in all of our amplifiers is quite unique to the whole hi-end tube amplification industry. Such extensive topology provides for quieter backdrop for which the music can unfold in its entirety. It further establishes the quick and controlled bass response and the full-bodied expression of the high frequency. The ground leg of the signal has not been neglected and given meticulous attention in its implementation. The importance of proper grounding cannot be over emphasized.
- Ground switch
- Central one-point star earth grounding
- Dual grounding system (switchable)
Output Transformer
The super-wide bandwidth output transformer’s major strength is that it can deliver the current in the bass, while at the same time maintaining the speed in the high frequencies, dramatically improving the square wave response of the amplifier. The effect is a much more natural and relaxed sound with much better clarity, resolution and fluidity.
- Super-wide bandwidth high performance output transformer
- High efficiency with low insertion loss for optimal current and voltage transfer
- Multiple tight layering and coupling for extended frequency response
- Output transformers are sealed with an anti-resonance compound material
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 ranks our products apart from the mass.
- Selected, premium quality passive components used in all applications
- High speed & high quality audiophile grade coupling capacitors
- Special tube sockets with beryllium-copper spring pins, custom made by Ayon
- High quality – speaker binding posts
- High quality – RCA input jack
- Neutrik/Swiss – XLR chassis connectors
- Special isolated – internal wiring
- Copper matrix – internal signal cable
Mechanical Construction
The high-grade aluminum chassis impart 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.
- Improved heat ventilation chassis
- Custom-made machined control knobs
- The aluminium feet are resonance absorbing types
- Backlit “ayon” logo
- Analog bias meter
- All front & rear panel descriptions are engraved
- 4 line inputs & 1 direct input – for pure power amp operation
- Ground switch
- Volume & Mute function – RC
- Metal remote commander
- Chassis finish: black / chrome
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Ayon audio Ayon Spirit V
- 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
