Ayre QX-5 Twenty


Is there anyone out there that either owns this DAC or has heard it?  What do you think about compared to other DACs at this general price point? Do you have an opinion as to whether DACs that employ chips like the ESS are necessarily inferior to ladder DACs etc? 

 Thanks 

128x128ct10

I have owned a QB-9 for around a dozen years, I had it upgraded to the QB-9 Twenty about the years ago. It is an outstanding DAC and also for the money. Relaxed, details, natural. Excellent DAC.

A great company that upgraded my 8 year old DAC for a reasonable price. I believe they basically returned the same case with an all new DAC. 

I have the qx-5 dac. It is my favorite dac that I have owned, and I have owned close to 15 dacs over the last 3-4 years. I’ve had the T+A Dac 200, Denafrips T2, Holo May, Audio Mirror, Gustard, Topping, Aqua La Scala, Weiss 501, Mojo Mystique, Musetec, and a few others. I have most of them on my YT channel.

https://youtu.be/u3sb_fVpQJ8

Thanks for the info. You gave the Ayre a ringing endorsement to say the least!

With the QX-5, I assume there is no reason to have a separate server/streamer, which is a big savings as well. 

@phastm3 

What does the Ayer do better that the T+A cannot? I know you have very good experience with various DACs that you mentioned.

Forget about the Ayre. I owned the QX-5 twenty for some years. I liked it.

I decided to sell it and I purchased a MOJO audio DAC.

The MOJO blew the Ayre away. No comparison. The increase in SQ

was astounding.Check out Mojoaudio.com.You will see the multitude of awards.

that Mojo's products have garnered. Give Ben a call. He offers a 30 day audition trial. There's a demo Mystique SE on sale for $5999.