Ayre QB-9 USB DAC

[Still-One]

I know that MBL has a upgrade path out for the 1611 and 1511 DAC's so they can handle USB inputs. The 1611F is a fantastic DAC.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by two dot

What product did they pick for a winner???

Benchmark and Cambridge were highly recommended and had the best value for money ratios.
The one they prefered was the MBL but they found it a bit expensive at 4500 euros....

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Benchmark and Cambridge were highly recommended and had the best value for money ratios.
The one they prefered was the MBL but they found it a bit expensive at 4500 euros....

Is that a new separate DAC? I do not see it on their site. The US site does show the upgrade and that is in around $2,500 US.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Stillone

Is that a new separate DAC? I do not see it on their site. The US site does show the upgrade and that is in around $2,500 US.

I don't know this brand so I can't answer. Sometimes, the ref in Europe are different from the ones in the US. I will sacan and post the first page of the review tonight.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

I don't know this brand so I can't answer. Sometimes, the ref in Europe are different from the ones in the US. I will sacan and post the first page of the review tonight.

[Jerome W]

Sorry for the delay I had troubles on my network.

The file is 328 Ko , pdf, and I can't upload it. I don't know how to reduce it.
Send me a PM with your mail and I will send it to you.

[Omerta]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

" Revue du Son et du Home Cinema" found it harsh, with an imprecise stereo image. A global lack of sonic coherence.

I strongly disagree with all three of those statements. In my room, in my system the QB-9 has a monster soundstage with pinpoint imaging and plenty of air between the instruments. The Krell components highlight any kind of harshness coming from the source, whether it be the cdp,dac or the material and the QB-9 is detailed, not harsh in any way in my opinion.

[cmalak]

Ultra Audio (part of Soundstage.com network) just awarded the QB-9 an "UltraAudio Select Component" award. Here's the review: UltraAudio.com Equipment Review - Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB Digital-to-Analog Converter (12/2009)

[cmalak]

According to this reviewer, the QB-9 beat the C-5XE MP. As I said it got their Select Component reward. It's interesting how the french review cited above by jerome found it harsh and so on. That is quite a divergence in opinions. So far, it has gotten pretty good reviews in the US. Maybe there was an issue with setup/settings in the French review that impacted the QB-9s performance in the French review.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by cmalak

According to this reviewer, the QB-9 beat the C-5XE MP. As I said it got their Select Component reward. It's interesting how the french review cited above by jerome found it harsh and so on. That is quite a divergence in opinions. So far, it has gotten pretty good reviews in the US. Maybe there was an issue with setup/settings in the French review that impacted the QB-9s performance in the French review.

My only issue with the unit, it is USB only. uzzled-6: