Ayre Codex vs. ESS SABRE ES9010K2M (Yamaha AS801)

Depends.

What makes the Codex outstanding is the diamond output stage with headophones. Really amazing. No DAC chip can replace that.

If you aren't listening with headphones, then I prefer the ... AKC?  The other DAC maker. :)

What makes the Codex outstanding is the diamond output stage with headophones. Really amazing. No DAC chip can replace that.

i don’t listen to headphones, and i feel the codex is one of the most 'analog', coherent, natural sounding dacs irrespective of price run as a straight dac ... tho i would add that it does seem to resolve a bit better via xlr out vs rca though

a real giant killer of a dac... sold several of the more expensive dacs i had on hand once i got the codex

I got got that yamaha. It was lean sounding . My friends had it too.
Skip it. Get PS audio sprout.

Why would you post a question like this...the Ayre is so much better. All Ayre products sound better in balanced operation....XLR

@stringreen

i can get a really good deal on a ford fusion, but can you tell me if it might be as good (if not better) than a mercedes e350?

i was just wondering 🤣