Ayon Stealth XS

Tube output stage & Tube Rectification
Ayon is proud to introduce the Stealth XS DAC based on the well known Stealth and Stratos, which are built at “cost no object” and are among the best sounding vacuum tube DACs. The Stealth “XS” version is the answer and offers many design highlights from its bigger brother, the Stealth. Same DNA. One of the major changes for the Stealth “XS” is the power supply system and the vacuum tube output stage. We did this very carefully and voiced the Stealth “XS” to offer maximum flexibility and a superb sound performance that you would expect from an Ayon Audio product. A new vacuum tube based DAC is born, a New star in the Ayon line-up, offering an outstanding price/performance and value.

Features & Design

Full featured Tube D/A converter
Pure 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 is why our DAC’s 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 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 highest reliability
• Low output impedance for driving long interconnect runs to the amplifier, tube or solid state power amps
• 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
• High quality parts throughout
• Fully hand assembled to insure the highest level of craftsmanship
• Separate analog output stage for left and right channel
• Analog inputs
• All digital inputs
• Internal hardware PCM upsampler for CD sources to 24/192K (can be disabled)
• Native 192kHz PCM and DSDx128 conversion
• Ultra-low jitter internal clock generator
• USB input (24/192 asynchronous and DSD)
• Remote Control

Power SupplyThe 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 and it is a critical attribute for a 6N6P 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.

• 2 separate R-Core / Low noise – insulated power transformer for digital & analog
• Tube rectification
• Choke – filtered power supply and coupled with special film caps
• Innovative power supply provides a high speed energy delivery on transients
• Separate and isolated power supplies over each stage of amplification
• Regulated DC filament supplies with soft start for extended tube life
• AC power line filter to avoid noise and hash from entering into the unit
• 8 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 ranks 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 tube sockets with gold pins
• High-quality capacitors
• 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.

• Front panel descriptions are engraved
• AC phase polarity control indicator
• The aluminium feet are resonance absorbing types
• Chassis finish: black / chrome