DAC's....Ayre versus PS Audio

The Codex might be a better choice.
B

I had one...
like the Qb-9 better...

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.

I own the QB-9 DSD and a Direct Steam Junior.  Though the Junior isn’t the full fledged DS, it’s pretty darn close.  I also have the Pass XP-20.  It’s a really tough comparison.  I did A/B them, for quite a bit and ended up putting the Ayre in my headphone chain.  Sonically, the DSJ was just a tad bit and I mean tad bit more open.  But, given your post, I will swap them out again later today, and give an update.  Is there any specific song/album that you’d like me to demo...within reason.  I don’t own any classical titles.  I listen to a pretty wide variety, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Led Zep, John Mayer, Miles Davis and own a decent hires collection.  Let me know if there’s something specific you’d like me to demo the comparison with.

How about ..
Freddy the Freeloader..
Gallows Pole..
something off Ten..
Black?
Yellow Ledbetter..

thanks 

Greg