Ayre QB-9...listening impressions

I have tried several sub-$1K DAC in my system, which is running Tidal Hifi stream to my tube preamp  I recently acquired a used QB-9 (the non-DSD version) to compare to my CIA DAC with its separate power power source.   The SQ improvement was apparent from the first note of the music with the Ayre DAC; it sounds just like listening to analogue, to my ears.   I am now a devotee of believers in the benefits of a great DAC in one's system, but am also of the opinion that one might need to spend $2K-$5K to get the full measure of SQ improvement in their system. This Ayre DAC is simply stunning!