Some initial comments on the Ayre QB-9 DSD

Posted by AbeCollins (A) on June 20, 2015 at 10:10:27

In Reply to: I can't wait!! posted by JeffH on June 19, 2015 at 18:36:58:

Mine is an original "DSD" so I have no pre-upgrade reference to compare it against.

Apparently, the DSD upgrade is less about DSD but improvements in many areas of the DAC. I just read an article on the QB-9 DSD in Computer Audiophile linked below. The article goes into some technical detail on the USB interface, power supplies, noise filtering, etc.

I have to say that I am impressed with this unassuming basic USB DAC. It has a very natural or 'organic' sound to it with great dynamics. It's smooth but doesn't lose any detail and it creates a nice soundstage. The QB-9 DSD is probably the best sounding DAC I've had in my system.

I have to do some AB listening against the PS Audio NuWave which I consider to be an incredible "bang for the buck" DAC at $1000. I prefer it over the W4S DAC2 as the NuWave seems to be a little more transparent with W4S being darker sounding.

Interestingly, I didn't care for the $5000 Luxman DA-06 very much and same goes for the Wavelength Brick v3 USB DAC. Both of these were unusually 'warm' and very smooth but to the point of washing away a lot of detail. These DACs were also rolled off at both frequency extremes emphasizing the midrange.

Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC (Open in New Window)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Another DAC to play with over the weekend - pics - AbeCollins 12:44:35 06/19/15 (21)

RE: Another DAC to play with over the weekend - pics - Dynobot 05:17:17 06/24/15 (0)

How do you purchase the Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC if there is no dealer in your state??? - RadioWonder 08:45:35 06/20/15 (1)

FedEx from another state - nt - AbeCollins 09:42:08 06/20/15 (0)

I can't wait!! - JeffH 18:36:58 06/19/15 (2)

Some initial comments on the Ayre QB-9 DSD - AbeCollins 10:10:27 06/20/15 (1)

i misread... - JeffH 07:03:41 06/21/15 (0)

RE: Another DAC to play with over the weekend - pics - Mercman 17:07:30 06/19/15 (0)

Would be interested in how it compares with Wyred4sound DAC2 - Anfield 13:48:17 06/19/15 (12)

how it compares with Wyred4sound DAC2 - fmak 22:23:01 06/20/15 (11)

So you have a QB9? - JeffH 07:18:06 06/21/15 (10)

He's speculating. I'm listening. - AbeCollins 09:04:23 06/21/15 (9)

RE: He's speculating. I'm listening. - fmak 07:09:37 06/22/15 (7)

RE: He's speculating. I'm listening. - AbeCollins 11:10:12 06/22/15 (6)

RE: He's speculating. I'm listening. - Sprezza Tura 17:57:44 06/22/15 (5)

RE: He's speculating. I'm listening. - AbeCollins 07:40:30 06/23/15 (4)

RE: He's speculating. I'm listening. - Bob_C 12:13:17 06/23/15 (1)

Everyone Must Listen To A Streamer! - Ivan303 19:59:15 06/23/15 (0)

RE: He's speculating. I'm listening. - Sprezza Tura 07:44:45 06/23/15 (1)

Actually, it DOES .... - Ivan303 19:41:59 06/23/15 (0)

Thanks, Abe (nt). - Anfield 02:54:42 06/22/15 (0)

Best DAC/Headphone Amp Combo? - Ivan303 13:42:01 06/19/15 (0)

Follow Ups

Some initial comments on the Ayre QB-9 DSD - AbeCollins 10:10:27 06/20/15 (1)

i misread... - JeffH 07:03:41 06/21/15 (0)

Some initial comments on the Ayre QB-9 DSD

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