I have owned the Ayre QX5 and the Lumin X1, but have not heard the Bartok. I owned the AX5 Twenty when I had the QX5, but have now moved on to something else, although the AX5 Twenty is a great amp.
Both the QX5 and Lumin are great dac/streamers, and I doubt you would be unhappy with either. I preferred both to the Chord DAVE/M Scaler I owned previously.
The QX5 has a big, detailed, powerful and muscular sound. It can sound very slightly dry (as can the DAVE) and has a tonal balance just a shade lighter than neutral, but I think this is just consistent with the Ayre sound, since the AX5 has similar characteristics. It is very engaging and I often found listening to it that I had a real sense of the recording acoustic and the presence of the musicians.
But ultimately I preferred the Lumin X1. It has a bit less of the "master tape" realism but is tonally a bit warmer and more colourful, and has a more liquid, saturated sound.
It's really down to personal preference. If you like the Ayre "house sound" and prefer a big, airy soundstage rather than a warmer, slightly darker presentation, you may prefer the QX5. The QX5 is also a great match with the AX5. I preferred the tonally richer and more liquid sound of the Lumin, but sometimes still miss the QX5.
Both the QX5 and Lumin are great dac/streamers, and I doubt you would be unhappy with either. I preferred both to the Chord DAVE/M Scaler I owned previously.
The QX5 has a big, detailed, powerful and muscular sound. It can sound very slightly dry (as can the DAVE) and has a tonal balance just a shade lighter than neutral, but I think this is just consistent with the Ayre sound, since the AX5 has similar characteristics. It is very engaging and I often found listening to it that I had a real sense of the recording acoustic and the presence of the musicians.
But ultimately I preferred the Lumin X1. It has a bit less of the "master tape" realism but is tonally a bit warmer and more colourful, and has a more liquid, saturated sound.
It's really down to personal preference. If you like the Ayre "house sound" and prefer a big, airy soundstage rather than a warmer, slightly darker presentation, you may prefer the QX5. The QX5 is also a great match with the AX5. I preferred the tonally richer and more liquid sound of the Lumin, but sometimes still miss the QX5.