Ayre Acoustics QX-5 Twenty Streaming DAC

I found the QX-5/20 to be a game changer in my system even before the update,

I did buy it used rather than waiting for a QX-8 (my original choice) as I was hoping to stay around 5-6K. Once is saw the used Qx-5/20, I just bought it.

My dealer carried DCS and Boulder so I heard some very high end DACs over the years but at that time my main source was an ML390S and I was not thinking about streaming.  The Boulder was amazing but everything in that demo chain was at the top of their line..

I have to admit I am partial to the Ayre "house" sound" so my opinion in slightly tipped.  In fact, soon after I settled in with the DAC, I update my preamp to a KX-5/20 from an ML 380S.

Wish I could help you more. Jerry

On the upgrade,

Highs dramatically better, system has more bass with same speakers, and the soundstage is very , very well defined.

Did take a while to dial in speaker positioning considering the definition of the soundstage.  Finally decided I wanted it a bit wider than my initial setup and found bigger soundstage with little or no detail loss . This was  completed mostly  working with the toe in on my speakers.

Anyone here using the Ayre QX-5 Twenty straight into their amp, without a standard preamp in between? In a chat with someone at Ayre HQ, they don’t really call it a preamp, but it does have digital volume control. Is the digital volume control a compromise over the volume control in a regular preamp? The person I spoke to said that some think that the digital volume could be a slight compromise and *maybe" a slight reduction in SQ.

I am interested in it as an upgrade replacement for my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 DAC/preamp/headphone amp (a great value in its price range imo). I use headphones about 25% of the time and wonder how good the phones stage is on the QX-5. Opinions?

The alternative might be the new Boulder 812, just now shipping, which they say is a preamp/DAC/headphone amp. On some phones forums, some question the output power rating of the 812 phones section, saying it seems low for driving difficult phones.

Boulder 812 link

I am slightly obsessed with getting that Ayre sound... a good match with my Vandersteens. If the digital volume control on the QX-5 isn’t a compromise, I would run it straight into my amp without a preamp.

THX

Yes, in general, a digital vol control will degrade SQ. It does some “bit stripping” from what I understand. 

@patrickdowns, I experimented with my DAC going direct to my power amplifier.  The sound is good but NOT light-years better than using the preamp. My ’gut reaction’ is it might not be as clear, and the music does not seem as smooth.  So, an hour later, after more listening. when going direct, I felt the music was missing something.  The music was not as open or engaging when going direct to my power amplifier. The music felt more closed in.

When going direct, the sound was flat, lifeless and without an engaging factor.   The additional of the preamp brought things back to normal.  I am happy I did this audition so I now know and can forget about it.

For my application, and setup, I prefer the preamp since it is needed to help the music sound natural, clearer, and engaging.  My experiment is done.  For my system. a preamp makes the music sound better.

I know that other people prefer going direct from a DAC to a power amplifier. Based on my audition, my decision is based on my equipment, my environment and how I listen to music. There is no right or wrong answer since it just depends on the individual. Everyone has a different opinion on going direct to an amp or using a preamp.   The answer is it depends on the equipment and the sound you like.  

In some cases, it seems, if the DAC and amplifier are from the same company, going direct sounds might sound better. IN ALL CASES, an audition is required to make the right decision.  I hope this helps.