Qb-9 dsd

[Audio 1]

Originally Posted by skyblue

What cables did you get from Wireworld?

See the cable thread Chris posted here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/cable...tml#post520776

[ChrisAZ]

Another Ayre QB-9 DSD update. Listening impressions (all from CDs ripped to AIFF on my hard drive):

Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" (remastered): All artifice seems to have been stripped away. The acoustic guitar resonates and sounds like the acoustic instrument it is - it had always sounded like an amplified acoustic to me before. I wish my acoustic guitar had such tones.

Roxy Music "Avalon": The percussion pops. Bryan Ferry's vocals are smoothed out, as are the voices of the background singers. The electric guitar seems a little more recessed into the background. Overall, while this was always a very smooth track, it's even smoother now.

Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour: While I've always loved Rory, I'd found this recording tough to listen too in the past - muddy and harsh. While its still a bit muddy (it's a live recording in a large hall after all), it is vastly improved and very listenable. His Strat just shines through and now I can listen to him play all day.

Solas "Far Americay". The Irish soprano, acoustic guitars and fiddle now sound full, lush and natural like they did when I sat 5 feet away from the band at the Dosey Doe in Texas.

Sonny Rollins "Way Out West": His horn honks and grunts. The double bass has real timbre and warmth. I'm transported back to my favorite smokey jazz club in Chicago. No, I never got to see Sonny play. But I'm feeling like I'm having the virtual experience.

Govt. Mule featuring Little Milton - "When the Blues Comes Knockin'" - Mulennium (Live). Wow. I'm front row center at the Roxy Theatre in Atlanta. My system has never sounded this good - whether from TT/Vinyl, SACD/MCD500 or the old version of this DAC.

I need to stop because I'm gushing and embarrassing myself. It's nice to have such a successful and enjoyable upgrade.

[Masterlu]

That's fine keep gushing... remember we're the only ones that really get it!

[Blackstone]

Originally Posted by ChrisAZ

Another Ayre QB-9 DSD update. Listening impressions (all from CDs ripped to AIFF on my hard drive):

Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" (remastered): All artifice seems to have been stripped away. The acoustic guitar resonates and sounds like the acoustic instrument it is - it had always sounded like an amplified acoustic to me before. I wish my acoustic guitar had such tones.

Roxy Music "Avalon": The percussion pops. Bryan Ferry's vocals are smoothed out, as are the voices of the background singers. The electric guitar seems a little more recessed into the background. Overall, while this was always a very smooth track, it's even smoother now.

Rory Gallagher, Irish Tour: While I've always loved Rory, I'd found this recording tough to listen too in the past - muddy and harsh. While its still a bit muddy (it's a live recording in a large hall after all), it is vastly improved and very listenable. His Strat just shines through and now I can listen to him play all day.

Solas "Far Americay". The Irish soprano, acoustic guitars and fiddle now sound full, lush and natural like they did when I sat 5 feet away from the band at the Dosey Doe in Texas.

Sonny Rollins "Way Out West": His horn honks and grunts. The double bass has real timbre and warmth. I'm transported back to my favorite smokey jazz club in Chicago. No, I never got to see Sonny play. But I'm feeling like I'm having the virtual experience.

Govt. Mule featuring Little Milton - "When the Blues Comes Knockin'" - Mulennium (Live). Wow. I'm front row center at the Roxy Theatre in Atlanta. My system has never sounded this good - whether from TT/Vinyl, SACD/MCD500 or the old version of this DAC.

I need to stop because I'm gushing and embarrassing myself. It's nice to have such a successful and enjoyable upgrade.

Yeah that is really good that these recordings sound good. Sonny Rollins the Bridge in HD is very good as well. I really like Emmylou Harris at the Ryman and Steve Earle Train A' Comin to test red-book acoustic music.

[Blackstone]

So the word is they are only doing about 15 upgrades per week.

[Manbient]

Word is also that they've hired someone specifically to do these upgrades. Have patience, they're still a small business you know

[Blackstone]

So is the lack of DSD2 aka DSD128 support going to be a problem in the future for this unit? Does Sony's recent announcement change anything?

[Blackstone]

I think my answer to my previous question is probably not. Between DSD64 and 128KHz files I am satisfied QB-9 is future proofed. The whole double DSD thing just adds confusion. Not enough software to make it a concern. In any event, the implementation matters far more than specs. These aren't computers. I tend to agree with Hansen that the best thing would be for everyone to get behind a single format.

I would to get Hansen's take on Sony's announcement and the new Acoustic Sounds online store and whether that changes his perception of DSD's viability as a format. I know a few items have popped up on the store that are DSD only- not on HD tracks but there is not much. Ugh, I think a new format war would be terrible. I was sort of hoping 192khz would eventually, years from now, replace mp3 as the dominant download format but now it seems DSD is lurking again.

[BillK]

Originally Posted by Blackstone

So the word is they are only doing about 15 upgrades per week.

That's frightening as I heard from a friend in the industry that they've got many hundreds of updates queued up.

[Blackstone]

Originally Posted by BillK

That's frightening as I heard from a friend in the industry that they've got many hundreds of updates queued up.

It's a don't call us we'll call you situation says dealer. As long as I get mine eventually I'll be happy. I really appreciate them offering it and supporting the product. My next amplifier will be an Ayre for that reason alone. What a cool company! These guys kick serious audiophile butt!