I just acquired a gently used Ayon Triton Evo integrated amp to level up from a Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III. This beast was rather intimidating to buy, get shipped, unload and set up.
Before I powered it up the first time my hands were a little shaky from exertion and adrenaline….like an alcoholic that needed a double shot of vodka to calm his nerves.
The sound was immediately bigger, deeper, fuller, more open and with tighter bass. I’m still overwhelmed so not much more to report until I’ve settled into it for a while.
Happy to have this purchase behind me. Time to rest and listen.
I’ve been very curious about the Ayon family of tube amps. Please do share your observations on the amp once you’ve had some time with it. I am especially curious regarding how you’d compare it to other equipment you’ve owned.
I was warned that this amp gets hot. I have around 10hrs on it now and it seems “normal” to me and pretty much matches the heat of the Cronus Magnum III. It’s sitting on an open console with plenty of air circulation around it and an AC vent nearby. No problem so far.
Can KT 170's be used? If so, another option for even more power.
Enjoy it.
Yes. KT170s are plug and play in this amp. Because I have relatively efficient speakers (~93) the KT150s, even in triode mode, deliver plenty of power. Specs say class A triode mode class A into 8ohms = 80 watts.
Man that is a beast, and appears it can run 70w in parallel single ended Triode too, correct?. Very nice. My Monos run only run two KT150s or KT120s per amp and its plenty for my less efficient speakers. Its cool to see the 6SN7s and 12au7s in your amp design. I best it sounds nice.
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I was nervous and unsure about this purchase which my wife now affectionately calls “The Spaceship”. Feels good to have it making music and getting feedback from the community.
@mfisher702your PAPs are reasonably efficient at 96db, correct?. Unless you need more power than you have now (which seems like plenty for your speakers) already, before anything else take extra time to evaluate if your KT150s are enough. Sure, the 170s are known to run slightly cooler with more bottle surface area, however if you are not looking for even more bass or more top end, and happy with your KT150s, you can also just enjoy what you have for a while perhaps. What’s cool about your amp is it’s actually designed (current/plate voltage) to run KT170s should you go there later on.
KT150s were plenty in my mono amps, and my custom built speakers are 3.5db down from yours in efficiency at 92.5db - for comparison. I found my KT150s [stored away now] needed around 250hrs before they came into their own. Worth noting. Tubes are dependent on the particular amp/circuit and power design, and can sound different from one amp design to the next. Not always apples-to-apples for comparison. Only you’ll know what you like in your amps.
Do you have any idea how many hours were on the small input/driver tubes, and large KT150 tubes installed in your amp now - were they replaced by a prior owner?
@mfisher702yeah its helpful to get an idea how much play time is on the amp, tubes, caps have on them. Or, if tubes were replaced and not settled and smoothed in a bit. Long story about my own KT150s in my first amps at 4hrs vs 72. 150-250hrs. I kept checking back in with my local dealer to compare with my current set, comparing to his same amps/tubes that had 500+hrs on them. It’s easy for any of us to get overly anxious. You’ll see people buy an amp, try it three times, and put it right back up for sale again not realizing it might have needed a little more time. Not in all cases, but worth noting in case your amp is barely used.
@giantsalami I also run the CD35 as my preamp and an S10 streamer through the DAC on the CD35 which sounds better to me than using the DAC in the S10. The CD35 replaced a Mac C1100/D1100 combo. It sounded noticeably better in my system, I couldn't believe it at first.
@stephens770, I agree. I sold my Primaluna 300 pre and am using the Ayon. I talked to Paul about a separate Ayon pre amp and he pretty much said to keep the 35. which is good, as the preamps are a bit out of my price range.
Great pic 👌🏼 and agree on OBs / low power. I don’t need more that 25wpc right now. In fact, earlier this year I was loaned a Pass Labs INT-25 and it was nice.
I went for this amp for reputation on resolution / soundstage / imaging / balance. I’m keeping my Rogue Cronus III in reserve and it’s always possible I’ll wind up favoring different speakers later.
“Man that is a beast, and appears it can run 70w in parallel single ended Triode too, correct?. Very nice. My Monos run only run two KT150s or KT120s per amp and its plenty for my less efficient speakers. It’s cool to see the 6SN7s and 12au7s in your amp design. I best it sounds nice. “
I don’t know very much about amp architecture but I assume you’re right. When in Triode mode it’s parallel 35wpc SET circuits running together for 70w? I’ll show my ignorance here. All SET is class A but not all class A is SET?
Generally, as I understand it - a single-ended tube amp uses only one tube to amplify the signal per channel. In your case, I believe it's a PSE or parallel single ended configuration. It would be best to ask your Ayon dealer or the mfg co more.
A class A tube amplifier refers to how the tubes are biased and operate, not the configuration. In Class A, the output tubes are always conducting, even when there is no output signal.
Others may explain it differently, and while I'm not a tube amp circuit guru or anything like that, I have spent some time doing homework on what helps an output tube to operate in its "optimum operating window". i.e. People install KT150s in older amps not designed to run them properly, with insufficient plate voltage, and the tubes don't sound their best. Appears yours IS designed to run the newer line of KT tubes which is great. Using the right tube for a given amplifier circuit design is what's more important, or what I believe so far. :)
I've owned this same amp for 5 years with Klipsch Cornwall IV. I can honestly say for the music I listen to rock/jazz/blues I am completely satisfied and highly doubt I'll ever move on. FYI- I also own the S-10 DAC which I also love. Great system!
I've just plugged in (4) matched Sylvania black plate 6SN7s (1960s/70's I think) and (2) matched RCA long black plate d getter 12AU7s.
It sounds like a burlap sack was removed from over my amp. Striking improvement. Immediately more open and clear and delicately articulated sounds. Imaging and sound stage seem 10-15% better / bigger. I'm not sure yet if mid-bass is actually reduced or just less obvious because everything above it is improved. I'm trying to relax into this for a few weeks or more and get a broad-scope sense.
One item of note is that I absolutely hear and enjoy full-range music at a lower volume than before these tubes went in. Things come alive and bloom sooner.
It's a lot of new information to process. Good so far.
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