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FedEx just delivered my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC today. I've had it in my system for only a couple hours and it sounds great. Right off the top I can say that I prefer it over the $5000 Luxman DA-06 by a good margin.DACs that I've had in my system include:
- Ayre QB-9 DSD
- Oppo HA-1 DAC/Headphone amp
- PS Audio NuWave
- Luxman DA-06
- Wyred4Sound WS4 DAC2
- Lynx Hilo A/D D/A
- Wavelength Brick v3
- Apogee Mini DAC (firewire)
DACs available to play with over the weekendAyre QB-9 DSD DAC and my new favorite "summertime" amp
Edits: 06/19/15Follow Ups:
Wow thats a nice line up of Dacs.
Any correlation between Dac chips and sound or power supply and sound etc.?
For example what could you attribute to the Ayre as producing sound better than others?
Dynobots Audio
Music is the Bridge between Heaven and Earth - 音楽は天国と地球のかけ橋
Sorry, I have gone with a different plan for a USB DAC... ;)
Edits: 06/21/15
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my QB9 upgrade is scheduled for sometime in July. Could you describe the difference in before and after terms?
Edits: 06/19/15
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.
Thought you received it back from having the DSD upgrade. Anyway, glad you're digging it! I purchased mine new, before DSD. I certainly did not want to spend that kind of money, but wanted to match or better my then current CDP. It was love at first listen. Good purchase!
Edits: 06/21/15
A very nice DAC Abe. Enjoy it.
While I'm aware that the Ayre QB-9 is more expensive than the DAC2, I would be very interested to see whether it justifies the extra cost. Thanks Abe.
Different animals, the W4S is full function and QB usb box only.
I like my W4S DSDSe. Older QBs need updating for DSD. I have noticed that the latest Windows driver for the Ayre is the Theyscon 1.26, which is old and I am currently using 2.26 that sounds a lot better than 2.15 on my Wave I/O USB to I2S/spdif unit. 2.26 also has had the Audio Control Panel restored and allows for various latency buffers to be selected.
The W4S DSDSe uses Amanero based boards and the driver hasn't changed since production either.
Or you've AB compared them?
Of course they're 'different animals' in terms of features but based purely on sonics, I much prefer the Ayre QB-9.
I heard a friend's W4S DSDSe and it has a similar slightly dark sound as the original W4S DAC2 that I once owned. The Ayre is in another league completely.
Many of the USB 'tweaks' and power mods that inmates are experimenting with are implemented within the QB-9 DSD.
I don't 'listen to' different drivers as I don't have to, yet it is quite clear to me that I am hearing something very special in the Ayre QB-9 DSD.
with a sub optimal MAC Mini
In your own words in a very recent post, "There is no such thing as an optimised MAC or PC."
Optimized or not, on MY Mac the differences among the DACs I described is clearly audible and the Ayre QB-9 DSD is pretty much the best I've heard so far in my system.
Now run along and borrow 5 or 6 ethernet file players and come back with comparos and pics.
Already determined that they don't do what I need them to. Wouldn't make sense for my setup.
"Already determined that they don't do what I need them to. Wouldn't make sense for my setup."
Can we just chip in and buy you one so maybe he would shut up already! Even though you do not want a streamer you MUST listen to one.
EVERYONE!
"Already determined" WITHOUT listening or installing.
That pretty much sums it up.
That you continue to miss this point is a bit surprising, even for you.
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Asking for a friend. ;-)
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