I have tried the Ayre DX-5 which is their flagship. The dealer told me if I do not need the video part of it, the DAC part is similar to the QB-9 except that the DX-5 sports better components.
To me, the sound from the DAC section using USB link from a Mac Mini is very good indeed. Using 192K data rate, the sound can be described as dry with well focused soundstage, almost 3-dimensional.
I also compared it to my Bel Canto DAC3.5VB MkII using a REFLink as the USB input, optically coupled to the DAC on 192K data stream. The sound is sweeter but lacks the focus the Ayre has.
I am waiting for the Ayre DAC-R to be released, it would surely be a very interesting product.
I used Ayre KX-R and MX-R for amplification and Thiel 3.7 for my speakers. All interconnects and speakers cables are Silversmith Audio.
(Audio)
To me, the sound from the DAC section using USB link from a Mac Mini is very good indeed. Using 192K data rate, the sound can be described as dry with well focused soundstage, almost 3-dimensional.
I also compared it to my Bel Canto DAC3.5VB MkII using a REFLink as the USB input, optically coupled to the DAC on 192K data stream. The sound is sweeter but lacks the focus the Ayre has.
I am waiting for the Ayre DAC-R to be released, it would surely be a very interesting product.
I used Ayre KX-R and MX-R for amplification and Thiel 3.7 for my speakers. All interconnects and speakers cables are Silversmith Audio.
(Audio)