I suspect cost is the main reason you don't read much about Ayon..Primaluna is just such an easy amp to own for less $ it seems to be the jumping off point for new tube amp owners..
I was recently shopping for a new tube integrated & looked at/read up on over 50 new tube integrated amps..I have owned Cayin amps twice & HIGHLY recommend them,made in the same factory as the PL stuff & a superb value for $ spent..The Unison Research is awesome & would last you a lifetime..There is a Mastersound "Box"listed on usaudiomart.com for $2k that is an AMAZING DEAL at the price for a Brand New,ALL ITALIAN made rig..
I ended up ordering an Icon Audio "Stereo 30SE" which is pure Class A SINGLE ENDED(1 pair output tubes)KT150 integrated putting out a massive 28wpc.Pentode mode & 20wpc.in Triode mode.. |
The Raven, from everything I can tell, might be one of those products worth waiting for and if you just can't wait you might want to Look at Quicksilvers integrated amp, built in America with plenty of satisfied customers. Enjoy the music
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freediver
Thank you for your advice! I thought same of Ayon at first, but their scorpio is in the $3,500
range so thought funny there are not much mentioning on it.. PL probably seems to be the most failsafe choice, while as I dig into other options, beginning to lean toward models with more unique designs. My speakers are 83.5db,
very much limits the tube amp options..If without thinking of my speakers, my preference is class A SET (my current is a cheap 8wpc 6l6gc,I get a touch of it but not a good match). I really want to stay with SET but not much options out there with my primary search, and I started to consider pushpulls. That is how I came to be interested on Scorpio with class A Pentode.
Mastersound, class A para single 35wpc sure is attractive! I see similarity in design to Unison research (not the structure but in the similar logo fonts) If I was a real setereophile, this may be a no brainer with that audio mart price. Boxed Italian design is nice but this may be a design I may seek for later in my journey but for now, I miss the open chassis design with tube show off.
The Icon also is a new name to me. Class A, pentode/triode, 28/20wpc, enabling SE drive using KT150,,, and with open chassis! I understood this specifically designed with KT150 and not that one can play with tube exchange but this is interesting! I may need to do a deeper learning on this Icon.
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tooblue
Thank you for your advice too. Raven seems interesting but probably I cannot wait. Quicksilver, I did a superficial search before but not in depth up to now. I thought it was more expensive but around $2000 is a nice price range. The “separate mono block like” attracts me but I may need to do more learning on this; it looks like it is a class AB push pull and a closed box design. class AB seems to have a more dynamism of suppose front to rear sound stage width, power on classic orchestra playback than a class A single being more on the spot tube sexy sound with realism.
It may be more attractive to me if was a open chassis (why the integrated is almost the only closed box among Quicksilver), but the closed box do have an weight on the look, probably I may get to that taste point later.
As you may see from my unorganized comment that I am actually still at my learning stage.
again, thank you for your advice. |
That Quicksilver is only a 20 watt amp. I own the Harbeth P3 and the Quicksilver integrated would not be a good choice. BTW, I use larger Quicksilvers with the P3s. I did call Mike Sanders about the QS integrated paired with the P3 and he told me that 20 watts will not cut it! |
" Icon also is a new name to me. Class A, pentode/triode, 28/20wpc, enabling SE drive using KT150,,, and with open chassis! I understood this specifically designed with KT150 and not that one can play with tube exchange but this is interesting! I may need to do a deeper learning on this Icon. "
Yes this amp was originally built by the owner of Icon as an end game amp.I've run pretty much every power tube available,in every Class configuration they come in & was confidant that Pure Class A,Single Ended Pentode is perfect for my musical tastes & speakers(Harbeth M30.1)...It's so sweet to be running Ultralinear for hard driving classic rock/Chicago Blues & then switch to Triode Mode for Classical/New Age/Jazz..I'm past the desire to tube roll as well so another reason I went with this amp,EVERY aspect is completely optimized for the KT150.. |
Yes Cayin are made at the same factory as PrimaLuna. I have one half the price. |
freediver
Thanks again! It seems it is choice of if I go direct to amp like Icon based on a experienced person like you who chose after checking out 50 amps; that’s the good thing about asking advice here in the forum and I truly appreciate. Or another devil in my mind tells me I might want to make a good waste of money and sort of enjoy on ones that will require me some hassle to explore; tube rolling until I get to the ultimate decision to choose Icon like you did.
Learning about a new amp every time, it is very interesting and that process makes me lean towards it, last night I was looking at ANK kit 1 300 SET class A 8wpc which is an amp that is ideal in concept/design/looks to me but ofcourse not good match for my P3esr. Although I am still attracted to that, especially liking their cut-core trans, then started to look at their pentode el34 35wpc (not sure if it is a single end or push pull) which uses the same trans but that is a closed box...
I may need to rethink what I am after for. I tried to narrow down my choices when I started this thread to find out more on Ayon Scorpio to compare with PL, but now I feel the need to study more on Icon, Quicksilver, Mastersound...and if any user feedback on Ayon scorpio. I am glad that I came to know about those I have missed to include in my shortlist.
I will continue to explore an aim to decide in around a month.
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yogiboy
Thanks for your input! Great to know from
Quicksilver(larger than integrated)+P3 user. Even If not ideal but I thought 20w will be acceptable to drive P3esr, as maker’s recommended watts were 15, max being 50. As I want to stay with the tubes and there are not much options, I am still thinking I cannot exclude 20 watts capability amps as a lower wattage limit choice, but if Quicksilver does not recommend their integrated on P3esr, that I would take into consideration.
I was sold on the P3esr acoustic sounding concept and close cabinet but at then, I was not much aware of the low db how it will limit the amp choices. I still like it so seeking best available matching tube amp in $2000-3000area. |
The Ayon Scorpio may be a fine amp.
They used to be plastered all over the Agon gear page, being advertised as "best of show" for every component made, touting Euro this and that.
I suspect the brand is a made in China like most gear. NOT a bad thing, I'm a PL user.
Odd that, with so many "Best of Show" awards, the brand would be more prominent in mags? |
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limomangus,
Thanks for the Cayin info. I find quite a few stereophiles highly recommend Cayin, and they look great. I respect the Chinese made or assembled, I image their job is phenomenal like some assembly of iphone done in China, but my likes are toward US, European brands at the moment. I may need to study on Cayin if Inwere
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limomangus,
sorry posted without finishing; despite my likes, I will study about Cayin, as I have not done much up to now. Thanks again! |
tablejocky,
Exactly! the Ayon seems to be a reasonable price choice but with high end background, class A Pentode, Lundahl(from what I heard from US importer) opt, but the advertisements are sort of limited from few source and not much of reports or feedbacks available from users or audiophiles.
that makes me feel (honestly and no offense to Ayon) slightly skeptical but at the same time maybe that is because they originally focus on high end and limited infos may mean that’s a hidden gem still? I am in between those thoughts and trying to find out more clues..
I did a search on there manufacture, it seems that they once went to China for manufacture or assemble, but that changed and now made in Europe??? (not totally in Austria but some countries around Europe)? I admit I can’t be sure on this but after opening many many web page tabs on my pc, I think one of the page mentioned
something like that. |
Wherever it's made, shouldn't deter you from buying.
If the dealer seems legit with a solid warranty, that's all that matters.
Some sort of 30 day return with no, or minimal restock should be offered.
I've read a review years ago on that model, it's supposed to be a nice amp. |
yogiboy,
Thank you! Rogue magnum iii, I will look into it. It seems a reachable choice vs my budget and a open chassis that I like. At a glance, it seems like a UL /Triode pushpull with KT120 providing 100wpc at 8ohms. Very powerful and noted that your friend has good experience of matching with P3esr, thank you for very valuable advice.
I knew,,, I knew that P3esr is best with juice, but my illusion of combining rich acoustic sound speakers with rich SET amp like 300bs to be a gorgeous match, I know it’s wrong but that was where my image started, and is still bothering me...
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tablejockey,
You’re right. With confirming acceptable level of build and service, it may be how I can find a feature, specs, or design that I could tie my interest to.
Given the limitation of physically visiting shops, I am now too much on “paper evaluation“ which I enjoy learning and imaging many patterns, talking to audio experts here, but you’re right that I should do some listening more.
Thanks for your advice! |
Actually the Ayon Scorpio xs is their latest and operates in pure a Class A which power wise is more perceived control and is noticably cleaner ,and has Triode as well as pentode mode
which makes it very versatile with el34 tubes40 wpc in pentode
and 25wpc in Triode ,add 5 watts if using kt88 .
also this is a big one it is micro processor controlled on the power tubes it allways monitors the tubes for optimum sonic level
also if a tube goes bad the danger of overheating is removed if it detects a fault it will go Inyo mute and disconnect ,it will tell you
which power tube it is , then turn back on with new tube hold in rebias button for 20 seconds then it will blink untill ready then the red Ayon light stays on and ready to go ,also solid machined chassis ,not sheet metal like most = less vibration better focus
as well as pure copper tube sockets ,most are lower quality grass zinc coated ,also the most important part World class Lundahl transformers ,and chokes from Sweden ,a true bargain nothing even at $4k has all this ,and you can get it for just over $3k. |
I’ve owned an Ayon Scorpio XS for three years and love it. I paid $2500 new and they now go for $4500 new. I upgraded to Sophia EL34 tubes last year and the sound is an improvement over the stock Electro-Harmonix tubes. I prefer the sound of the amp in Pentode mode. The sound-stage is huge, bass is deep and fast, mid-range is amazing. Overall incredibly holographic! My Ayon system includes Tekton Perfect Set 2-10 speakers, Pontus II DAC, Magna Mano Ultra Mk3 streamer.
The Ayon Scorpio XS is manufactured in the EU.
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