Chord Dave or Ayre QX5 Twenty DAC???

Scott, I tried a T+A PDP 3000 CD/DAC in my system. SACD’s and CD’s NEVER sounded better. It was alive, crazy, you would forget to breathe when listening to it. It was the sound I wanted. I had problems with using the Aurender with it. I had to power the Aurender down and restart it for the PDP 3000 to recognize it. It worked well with my MacBookPro. After it was gone, I missed that sound. I then changed the DAVE & my CD transport for T+A’s newest music player, the MP 3100hv to match my T+A amp. CD’s, especially SACD’s sound great, but not as great as the PDP 3000, but much better than my previous set up.  The MP 3100 works well with the Aurender. With MQA on the Aurender the sound is very similar to the MP3100 with slightly less dynamics.  There was a huge difference with the DAVE & I always switched back to the DAVE. DAVE sounded great with every level of resolution. The MP 3100hv has more dynamics, better bass & is more analog sounding than the DAVE. The DAVE has a bigger soundstage, has more detail, is clearer and has a darker background. Also, the Aurender iPad app is superior to T+A’s. I am  very happy with my system now, however, I miss the big soundstage, massive detail and more than anything, the almost eerie like vocals of the DAVE (& the great headphone amp on the DAVE). My T+A amp has a headphone amp but the DAVE’s is FAR superior. If I had to do it all over again, I would of kept the DAVE, changed the Aurender to the N10 and tried some different cables. 

@musicfx: Thanks for your thoughts. As far as DAVE is concerned, it sounds like performance can be improved with their new mscaler. 

Scottr, I heard the BLU MK.2 Is really really good. I found out about this too late. I would already have one of them if I would of kept the DAVE. 

I can honestly say the N10 is the best server I've heard to date and that includes some of the mega computer based servers.  I have a buddy who is doing a shoot out of servers and has had everything from Boulder down in his room and said the N10 is easily the one to get.  

I have heard the Dave a few more times with the N10 and it just doesn't have the bass that the Ayre does.  It's got a beautiful mid range and the top end is nice too and never fatiguing.  I do like the Brinkmann better though as well as a few others.  Again, at this price point there are very good DAC's with different flavors.  I own an am about to sell the Chord Mojo.  I'm also into personal audio. I looked at getting the Hugo 2 and instead went with the Astell n Krell 380copper and amp.  

Probably just not my cup of tea, but obviously yours which is cool.  

Hi Musicfx, Are you still enjoying your MP3100? I recently purchased the PA3100/PS3100 , my DAC is the LIODAC2.0 (DHT). I would like to use the LUMIN AES output on the MP3100, but you mentioned that the PDP3000 is a better monster. Look to your comments