Ayre QX-5 Twenty steaming performance

The U1 Mini connects to the QX5 via AES/EBU, which I have found to sound the best with the Ayre DAC. I generally avoid USB, so I am not surprised that ethernet sounds better than USB. To be clear, the ethernet input of the QX5 sounds very good. It is just that the U1 Mini is better.

I had the same question that has been posted,  few months ago. I read and asked questions and this is what I have done and I love it. 
i have a lumin mini u1 streaming via cardas clear aes/ebu interconnect to my qx 5 twenty. I got the basic qx-5 without a internet or streamer. The qx-5 functions as a pure dac, with the volume bypassed. They feed to a kx-r twenty which feeds a pair of mx-r twenties . All connections are balanced and are cardas clear. My ayre c-5 also feeds the qx5 via the other aes/ebu input .
the qx5 functions as a digital hub with the volume bypassed . I am very happy with the sound.

My skepticism fades away.  

My QX 5 (Dac mode) is currently being fed from the Melco NZ60 , which I hope to replace this year with a Innuos Zenith Mk3. so unfortunately cant use AES/EBU but Im glad to hear it sounds even better through AES/EBU.

The network input on the QX-5 Twenty is based on a module from ConversDigital.  It sounds very good and if it were my only option I'd be happy with it.  It makes a fantastic one-box system at a desk with headphones and powered monitors.

But, in my experience, a Sonore ultraRendu streaming to the USB input on the Ayre sounds just a little better.  That's what I use.