Ayre USB DAC

[The Monkey]

Don't boss us.

[manaox2]

TC, I didn't see where you mentioned anything about the Ayre DAC.

I think you lost me at Opera>M^3 and all the crazy imp mismatching explanations.

[aardvark baguette]

Ok..can we please get back to talking about the Ayre DAC?

This isn't Headfi.


/tongue-in-cheek

[TC_Shadow]

TC, I didn't see where you mentioned anything about the Ayre DAC.

I think you lost me at Opera>M^3 and all the crazy imp mismatching explanations.

I made a off-the-cuff comment about Alpha v dCS stack and got the mob coming after me; that's where we spent 2 pages arguing over whether I am a douche. I hope we can get back to talking about the Ayre DAC, perhaps how it works or doesn't work with Touch.

FYI..I have had my 2nd M3 with sigma for a couple of weeks now. I still feel Opera is the superior amp in terms of mid-range presence and realism, and in term of its HF analog-like quality. M3 has gotten better with sigma compared to STEPS..it's better, just not quite "there".

[n_maher]

I made a off-the-cuff comment about Alpha v dCS stack and got the mob coming after me; that's where we spent 2 pages arguing over whether I am a douche. I hope we can get back to talking about the Ayre DAC, perhaps how it works or doesn't work with Touch.

Not sure how you'd use it with the Touch regardless of whether you're talking Logitech or Apple Touch since it is USB input only.

[TC_Shadow]

Not sure how you'd use it with the Touch regardless of whether you're talking Logitech or Apple Touch since it is USB input only.

In one of the SD forum threads, I remember reading someone mentioned Touch can provide USB output to USB DACs. I could be wrong though.

found the thread: Touch USB port as digital output to DAC? - Squeezebox : Community : Forums

[n_maher]

Hmmm, I was under the impression the USB port was to allow for use with external HD's, maybe it can serve as an output too? I've certainly done less research than you though.

[luvdunhill]

If you like Dynahi, you should get one. It's a great amp, but runs hot as hell

Not all Dynahi run hot as hell, just the ones where the builder didn't bother to take care of the heat properly.

[TC_Shadow]

Not all Dynahi run hot as hell, just the ones where the builder didn't bother to take care of the heat properly.

Mine was a Veda Audio SA model....burn baby burn

[cclragnarok]

Hmmm, I was under the impression the USB port was to allow for use with external HD's, maybe it can serve as an output too? I've certainly done less research than you though.

If there's an USB host controller for the external HDs, supporting external USB DACs should be relatively simple.

[Asr]

I just ordered one. I wanted to resist it but I just couldn't! It was also the dealer's last unit before they have to order more that'll arrive in a few weeks. A sign? It'll be here as soon as tomorrow even.

[aardvark baguette]

sweet

[cetoole]

Mine was a Veda Audio SA model....burn baby burn

Yeah, those tend to be on the low side for heatsinking, and then to make it worse, they stuff the heatsinks inside the case, so no good way for the heat to escape.

[Hopstretch]

I just ordered one. I wanted to resist it but I just couldn't! It was also the dealer's last unit before they have to order more that'll arrive in a few weeks. A sign? It'll be here as soon as tomorrow even.

Officially, I don't go for burn-in. But I did think the QB-9 was borderline bright out of the box and I don't any more.

By the way, a little tidbit from Charles Hansen that might perk a few ears up around here. He was addressing a question about whether they would consider upgrading their existing C-5xe player with USB input.

No, there isn't any room in that product to add a USB input board.

But even if there were, think about it for a minute. The C-5xeMP is $6000. If we added that feature it would be another $1000 or $1500. So what would you save over the one with video? $1000? $2000?

It wouldn't make any sense for us to have two products in our lineup with price points that close. If you already have a C-5xeMP, the cheapest thing to do is just buy a QB-9 also.

But once you have the QB-9, would you even really need the C-5xeMP any more? There are ways to get the PCM off of your DVD-Audio discs. And at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, Gus Skinas announced that there was a new format called "DSD-DISC" that allows people to trade DSD files over the internet (mostly tapers of live shows). We have just heard about it, but it is possible that we can implement an upgrade to the QB-9 so that it could play those DSD-DISC files in their native format.

Then the only trick would be to "rip" your SACD's. There are only two ways to do that at the present time. One is buy a professional DSD workstation (way too expensive!) and the other way is to modify a (cheap) DSD player to get the DSD data that is being sent to the DAC chip to some sort of box that would interface with your computer. Check the forums at DIYAudio.com and see if anyone is working on that.

[Asr]

I don't believe much in burn-in either, at least for beyond dynamic headphones. But I'll keep an open mind and see if I notice any differences. And speaking of the C-5xe MP, I intend to find out how the two sonically differ at some point.

[Hopstretch]

And speaking of the C-5xe MP, I intend to find out how the two sonically differ at some point.

This I would be interested in hearing about.

[Dusty Chalk]

Okay, that last quote from Hansen has me convinced, now it's just a matter of saving up funds.

Native DSD? I would have thought that was too much to ask.

[Hopstretch]

I wouldn't count your chickens etc. etc.

But I think it is possible, as they are currently in the process of finalizing a new receiver board to add 24/192 capability and really might as well go for the twofer if they are going to push out an upgrade. Fingers crossed, eh?

[cclragnarok]

I just ordered one. I wanted to resist it but I just couldn't! It was also the dealer's last unit before they have to order more that'll arrive in a few weeks. A sign? It'll be here as soon as tomorrow even.

Dibs!

It looks like the warranty on the QB-9 is not transferable, so I'm tempted to just buy a new one once I have enough money saved up.

[Grahame]

If we added that feature it would be another $1000 or $1500

Can someone explain why Moore's law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia doesn't seem to apply to the transistors in audio gear?

(OK I can understand the concept of amortizing the fixed cost of R&D, over a limited production run, but that's why you use Commercial off-the-shelf - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia solutions to solved problems)

Comments made in Wavelength WaveLink Asynchronous USB to S/PDIF converter. apply equally here, I'd Say.