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Ayre QX-5 - maximize use and wiring question.

I am currently doing an in house demo of Aurender N10 and Ayre QX-5 twenty. I'm really pleased with the music produced, as is the wife and family.

I use the RCA out on the Ayre to a Marantz AV7704. I'm using the 7.1 input on the Marantz to avoid it's DAC and just pass through the music to my Sigma 2Amps onward to B&W 803D3s.

My question is, what other uses are there for the QX-5?

I have no Vinyl or CDs - having converted to completely digital years ago. My Apple TV 4K only has HDMI so can't really see a way to get the DAC in the Ayre to decode music from the Apple TV - Hence the Aurender.

Fios TV, it does have optical out, I could use the Ayre to decode the music channels? But for TV movies it would be useless since it can't decode surround sound?

Steaming services work through the Aurender and Ayre.

I'm thrilled with the music produced with the Aurender and Ayre combo. I'm just seeing if there are uses that I'm missing.

Thanks.
dunedain
erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
You actually CAN use it for television, but you only get 2 channels out. Have to make sure the source is set up correctly though. It won't understand Dolby Digital at all, but that's often configurable.

I'd consider what a really good integrated could do instead though. I have a Luxman, which lets me drive the amp externally, so I'm thinking of getting an Anthem AVR to drive the surround and center, and handle all my TV audio decoding.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
dbphd
1,616 posts
 
Using the analog balanced (XLR) output from the QX-5 to the AV 7704 would seem a better choice for audio quality.  I take balanced audio from my QX-5/20 to a KX-5/20 preamp and VX-5/20 amp.  Roon running on a Mac mini is the source via ethernet. 
tecknik
481 posts
 
Hopefully your TV has optical, then go into your TV settings usually under speakers and choose optical, then change output on your QX 5 to optical., the QX 5 has 3 optical in.

Thats how my tv is hooked up to my QX 5, make sure the QX 5 is turned off when attaching the optical cable. XLR output on the QX 5 will yield better sonic.
hgeifman
2,110 posts
 
NOTE-1:   Your Marantz AV7704 supports 8 HDMI inputs.  Can you output the Apple TV HDMI signal direct to your Marantz AV7704?   This unit has many input options that might solve your problem.  Please review......  

NOTE-2:  As posted above, I also take the optical output from my LG OLED TV to my DAC and then to my DAC.   Unfortunately, as the OP posted, your Apple TV 4K only has HDM meaning  you cannot get the Apple TV's audio signal to the Ayre QX-5 to decode music from the Apple TV.

I have never used an HDMI to Optical converter and do not know if this might help you.  In any case, the Comprehensive 4K HDMI Audio Extractor allows you to de-embed audio signals from up to Ultra HD 4K HDMI video sources and output them via digital optical or analog stereo L/R audio outputs.  The unit "Supported audio formats include LPCM 2-channel, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Atmos, and DTS-HD Master Audio".  Please see this link:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1385810-REG/comprehensive_cpa_hda3_4k_18g_hdmi_audio.html/?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIloOho6Sb4QIVsyCtBh1X-A-bEAQYBCABEgKYCfD_BwE&lsft=BI:514&smp=Y

Assuming the above works, you could output the audio from your Apple TV to your Ayre QX-5 DAC for 2-channel stereo only (you need to adjust the TV settings to support this).   I also recommend you "use the analog balanced (XLR) output from the Ayre QX-5 to the AV 7704 since it would be a better choice for audio quality.   My DAC is connected using its balanced XLR outputs to my Integrated Amplifier.

I am hoping someone else can confirm the above will work and maybe post some additional suggestions.  

I also have an Aurender N10 Music Server and use BOTH its USB and AES/EBU outputs to my DAC.   IMHO, most music sounds better using the N10 AES/EBU connection to my DAC.   
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