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DAC's....Ayre versus PS Audio

The Ayre Qx-5-twenty has way more inputs than I would ever use.
The PS Audio Diect Stream is less expensive....
I can't help but think I'm paying for stuff I wouldn't use with the Ayre...
With the current upgrades on the Direct Stream are they sonically on the same playing field?
Different for sure...

Roon server (solid state drive Mac mini), Microrendu, AyreQb-9 DSD, Pass XP-20, Pass 150.8, Fritz Carrera Be, REL G2...
reruam
gdnrbob
4,510 posts
 
The Codex might be a better choice.
B
reruam OP
19 posts
 
I had one...
like the Qb-9 better...
yage
401 posts
 
You can get the QX-5 Twenty for less by eliminating unused inputs. It won't get you to the price level of the DirectStream, but it helps.

QX-5 Base - S/PDIF + AES/EBU $6,950
QX-5 USB - USB + S/PDIF + AES/EBU $7,650
QX-5 Net  - Ethernet + S/PDIF + AES/EBU $8,250
QX-5 Full -  Ethernet + USB + S/PDIF + AES/EBU $8,950

Note that these prices may have changed since September 2017.
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