Ayon

Spheris - Phonostage

"State of the art"The Spheris II - Phonostage is designed to be the new reference standard in vacuum-tube phonostage pre-amplification and for audiophiles who will accept nothing less than simply the best. It is a marvel of engineering with its unique tube circuit design and construction. This preamplifier sets a new standard for natural musical performance with its extraordinarily wide bandwidth, extremely low distortion, colourful, superior dynamic range and an airy three-dimensional holographic soundstage.

The external Spheris II AC~ Regenerator offers stable, regulated and purified AC power regardless of the incoming AC line quality. This power supply provides a lowered noise floor, more liquidity, better spatial three-dimensional imaging, greater focus, richer colours, and decreased glare & haze.

Features & Design

2 Chassis full-featured Class A – triode single-ended & balanced vacuum- tube stereo phonostage preamplifier
Unique new pure vacuum tube-circuit design with single gain stage and incorporates only one coupling capacitor at its output stage
Limited production

Vacuum TubesThe 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.

• Special selected & matched tubes for phono-amplification

Signal PathWe 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.

• Ultra short signal path

• Simplest direct circuit path for purest musical sound and high reliability

• Low output impedance

• 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

• No followers or buffers in the signal path

• High quality parts throughout

• 0dB negative feedback (of any kind)

• Passive super-perm alloy LCR transformer RIAA equalization with 0dB feedback

• Very low noise enables full use of cartridges down to 0.1mV

• MC1/MC2 selector switch engages relays located near RCA jacks to switch MC inputs

• Special alloy solder used for the best electrical connection

AC~ReGenerator - Power SupplyThe 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.

• Tube rectified power supply with built in AC ~ Regenerator

• Regenerated AC power and low distortion sine wave

• Superior noise reduction

• 2 separate low noise –insulated power transformers

• Power transformers are encased, excellent damped and RFI/EMI ultra-shielded

• Innovative power supply provides a high speed energy delivery on transients

• Triple choke filtered power supply for power tubes

• Separate and isolated power supplies over each stage of amplification

• Regulated DC filament supplies with soft-start power up for extended tube life 

• AC power line filter to avoid noise and hash from entering into the unit. High capacitance energy storage. 

• Frequency meter (60Hz)

Dual Grounding SystemThe 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)

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.

• Ultra selected, absolute best 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

• WBT / High quality – RCA input jack

• Neutrik/Swiss - XLR chassis connectors

• Special isolated - internal wiring

• Premium internal signal cable uses ultra pure, soft annealed copper and super low loss insulation

• Gold-plated industrial grade PCB

• MC phono step transformer

• Balanced output step transformer

• LCR super-perm alloy step transformer

• Tantalum – The best sounding precision special resistors 0,5% are used everywhere, best resolution and lowest noise.

• Rifa - Long life capacitors

Mechanical ConstructionThe 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

• The aluminium feet are resonance absorbing types

• All front & rear panel descriptions are engraved

• Ground switch

• AC phase polarity control indicator

• Chassis finish: black / chrome