Ayre USB DAC

[Asr]

I "heard" the QB-9 today at a local dealer who had an "open house" with John Atkinson (Stereophile EIC) and Joe Harley (AudioQuest). Amplification was done via Classe components into the B&W Signature Diamond. Atkinson demoed the QB-9 from his laptop computer using 24/88.2 files from his own recording sessions. The classical, choral, and jazz music was so boring it almost put me to sleep so there is that bias too.

So I can't offer any useful impressions other than that of the speakers, and I have to say I was underwhelmed by them. I immediately thought they needed more treble.

Atkinson did seem to enjoy the QB-9 for whatever that's worth.

Charles Hansen was there too actually, along with two other guys from Ayre, one of which I accosted to ask some questions. He confirmed the analog output stage is similar to the C-5xe's though the DACs aren't the same, but he did offer that they were Burr-Brown. He also said the QB-9 is more similar to the C-5xe than the CX-7e...

[Dreadhead]

Big gear sale and ritual spousal ripping of new asshole to follow shortly. Watch this space.

Just keep working at it. I've worn my wife down so much she now just looks at me and breathes deeply and doesn't say a word when I tell her about my latest purchase.

That said she was pleased when I shipped the 4k in DACs out the other day.

[n_maher]

ICs and Duet breakout were identical, fine Nugget Audio products.

Clearly we've found the problem here.

[Hopstretch]

Someone asked for a photo of the back panel. Not all that much to see.

[Asr]

Ahh, that dastardly Listen/Measure switch! I demand impressions of Listen vs Measure!

[Dreadhead]

USB only? I think I knew this but WTF!

Listen=linear phase filter
Measure=brick wall.

[AlanY]

USB only? I think I knew this but WTF!

Listen=linear phase filter
Measure=brick wall.

The linear phase filter is the same as the brick wall filter. I think "listen" is the Ayre minimum phase filter.

[The Monkey]

I'm kinda glad this is USB only. Less want now.

[Dreadhead]

The linear phase filter is the same as the brick wall filter. I think "listen" is the Ayre minimum phase filter.

You are correct! I meant minimum phase

[n_maher]

I'm kinda glad this is USB only. Less want now.

Yeah, that's kind of a big ouch.

[cclragnarok]

What do the other switches do?

[EdipisReks]

What do the other switches do?

they switch between Power A and Power B, between Disp On and Disp Off, and between Rsrv A and Rsrv B.

[Voltron]

they switch between Power A and Power B, between Disp On and Disp Off, and between Rsrv A and Rsrv B.

Duh.

[EdipisReks]

well, he asked.

[aardvark baguette]

What does the "USB input" do?

[EdipisReks]

i think it is where you insert your universal sock basket, or some such.

[aardvark baguette]

That won't work for me. I ball up my socks. Blast!

[EdipisReks]

ah! but the basket is universal, you can put your balled up socks into it, and then insert it into the DAC!

[aardvark baguette]

Is it backwards compatible with version 1.1 socks? You know, toe holes and such?

[EdipisReks]

universal should mean universal, though i'm sure throughput goes down.