Ayre C-5xe mp vs PS Audio Digital Link III


A bit of an odd question, but I am very curious about my experience to date with a new setup I have put together.

Ayre AX-7e Integrated Amp
Ayre C-5xe MP CD Player
PS Audio Digital Link III
Simple Old Polk Ref book shelf speakers (to be replaced soon).
Interconnects are a mix of Audioquest King Cobra, Morrow MA4, and the Ayre/Cardas Custom Cable -- all are balanced XLR (and have switched them all back and forth -- so far the Morrow sounds the best)

The AX-7e is plugged into its own outlet, remaining equipment is plugged into an industrial power strip and then to a shared outlet.

Have the entire setup since October 2011. Playing mix is about 70% from PS Audio DAC (fed by Sonos/Apple Lossless from PC), 30% CD playing.

Here is the question -- no matter what I play with the cables, the PS Audio seems to have a much stronger presense then the Ayre C-5xe. The quality of the sound from both is superb. However, it feels like the PS Audio has about a good 3-4 DB of power over the Ayre CD. I know both the Ayre and the PS Audio have excellent powwer supplies. I am planning on running another dedicated 20A (10/2)circuit - I was going to connect both the PS Audio and Ayre CD to this. Thoughts and suggestions?? Should I keep them separated??
sbleam

Showing 1 response by richardfinegold

I also have the D Link III and it has sounded noticably "louder" than 2 SACD/CD
players that have been in the same system (same Power Conditioner for all and same power cords/interconnects all around). I have to turn the volume on the preamp up to make the sacd/cd players sound "as loud" as the D-Link III.