veloaudio Posted December 15, 2009 Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 Looks like $3500 retail. I can't imagine any dealers would be lower. Although, I read about a rumored preorder special but I couldn't find out any details. U.S. Retail Price List Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 MSRP is $3500, Dinny. Digital Music Sources There's a retailer list on the site. I think their dealer network is pretty tight and doesn't discount much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veloaudio Posted December 15, 2009 Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 Buy some music and you could win one: Win a Naim DAC with new Naim Label releases! - Topic Powered by Social Strata Edit: In stores in December 2009. Might be able to call a local dealer and see if they are offering a pre-order special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 Back on topic. Ahem ahem. New review with some good comparisons. One bit of fresh intel in there, that 24/192 capability will become standard on all new units fairly shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screaming oranges Posted December 15, 2009 Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 Yesterday an auction ended for a QB-9 at $1500 (or $1600 was it?). I saw it while browsing the "Recently ended auctions" category. Funny thing is, no one bid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2009 I think that's just A'gon systems weirdness. The seller cancelled the auction pretty much straight away, but it still "runs" for the two-week period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
screaming oranges Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 I think that's just A'gon systems weirdness. The seller cancelled the auction pretty much straight away, but it still "runs" for the two-week period. ahh, didn't know that. Explains a lot of things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Monkey Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 'stretch, how's the bass on the Ayre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 'stretch, how's the bass on the Ayre? Fishy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voltron Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 I think it's solid, Dinny, but Ryan and Doug both complained of "fuzziness" a few pages back. After reading that I did a little test for my own satisfaction, playing a couple of tracks with fast, punchy bass lines on the TT and computer (using high-res rips of the same vinyl pressings) at the same time and switching back and forth on the pre-amp while listening. To my ears (using both the HD800s and the Quads), while there were audible differences between the "pure" analog tracks and the digital files, there was nothing to latch on to in the bass region particularly. Anyway, have them ship me that Naim DAC before it goes to you and I'll give you a nice comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n_maher Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 I think that's just A'gon systems weirdness. The seller cancelled the auction pretty much straight away, but it still "runs" for the two-week period. Your knowledge of the inner workings of Audiogon is truly inspiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopstretch Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Your knowledge of the inner workings of Audiogon is truly inspiring. Oh, I'm a mere amateur. Tom Hankins' computer was hitting the site so often they got a domestic violence restraining order against him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreadhead Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Anyway, have them ship me that Naim DAC before it goes to you and I'll give you a nice comparison. Naim DAC? Impressions please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Chalk Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Oh, I'm a mere amateur. Tom Hankins' computer was hitting the site so often they got a domestic violence restraining order against him.:rimshot: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randerson3024 Posted January 18, 2010 Report Share Posted January 18, 2010 Well, my QB-9 came in, and after about 4 hours of listening, it sounds really good with the Amarra Mini software. Impressions to come later. This is my first experience using a computer as a source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swt61 Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 Just listened to this DAC. ASR brought it to the Dallas meet. The system was laptop>Ayre>BHSE>OII Damn nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Shadow Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 So, what is the verdict on the Ayre ? Does it live to the "ASync USB" reputation ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randerson3024 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 So far, so good. Amarra makes it sound more musical to me, and less "electrnonic". I am having licensing issues on the boat, so it will be awhile until I can use the full blown version of Amarra. I am also waiting for a Kimber USB cable. I have no idea how much of a difference it will make. I have heard that Belkin cables sound good as well, but I haven't had a chance to try one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Shadow Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Now comes the real question, how do the Ayre compare to DACs at its price range. BTW, are you using a MAC as the computer feeding the Ayre ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randerson3024 Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 Now comes the real question, how do the Ayre compare to DACs at its price range. BTW, are you using a MAC as the computer feeding the Ayre ? I am using a new iMac feeding the Ayre. I'm afraid I can't comment as to it's quaility comparing to DAC's at it's price range. I am using a Reimyo DAP 999, which is much more expensive, and much better, but I expect it to be. I colleauge has a PS Audio (not the Perfect Wave), and the Ayre sounds much better. The only other comparison I can make is a straight comparison to an Esoteric DV-60 which is used as a video and SACD source as well as a transport to the Reimyo for redbook CD playback. So far, the Esoteric does better the Ayre on standard CD's, but the Ayre does sound good. I haven't attempted to compare SACD playback to computer playback with the Ayre since the source is so different. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ultros Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 For those who've heard both, how does the QB-9 compare to the Buffalo 32s in terms of sound quality? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grawk Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 strawberry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randerson3024 Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 if it isn't made to the USB spec, it may likely be worse than a $.50 cable that is made to spec. if it is made to spec, i can't imagine it making any difference whatsoever. I have heard the Belkin competes with the expensive ones. I guess I will find out when it comes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil' Knight Posted February 2, 2010 Report Share Posted February 2, 2010 I bought the Belkin Gold usb cable off ebay for 2 bucks. Better look and build than other generic cables. Doesn't hurt to give it try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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