mr_m, I never got to try the Codex , although I was attracted to it, just never pursued it. I would love to try the newer Ayre DACs, but budget didn’t have it at the time I bought the Cutest. As mentioned it provided the sound I wanted and was much more pleasing than my previous DAC. Sorry I couldn’t give you a better answer. But should you get a chance to make the comparison, I would like hear your findings.