Ayre D to A

Jfrech, you're not the only one frustrated with computer audio. I'm kind of frustrated with computer audio too. Bought a Macbook Pro -- W4S DAC 2 using a decent usb cable and what I think are good transports and coax. Tried a trial of Pure Music; did not hear the improvement I expected. I have not bought an external drive yet. Been getting into everything slowly trying to get the basics down first. Many experts, manufacturers etc. say "get a quality usb to spdif converter", but I am not feeling much confidence in the extra expense of the quality ones, even the well-received lesser expensive Audiophilleo or the expensive Emprical Audio one is more than I am willing to gamble on yet. Getting a computer audio system sounding good is a convoluted process, and the philes out there who appear to really understand this audio niche contradict one another, use too many acronyms, and way too much technical terminology. They communicate like the audio world already understands computer audio. I go to computeraudiophile.com, AA and here to educate myself, but oh well... That's My rant. I haven't given up on it.

I use to own the Ayre QB-9 USB DAC. At first, I was impressed with the way it sounded. I used the MAC Book Pro computer with 4 GB RAM and the 120GB solid state drive. I used the Seaport Free Agent Go Pro 500GB external hard drive to store my music files (a 2nd one for backup). The Furman AC-215 power conditioner was needed so the MAC computer did not interfere with the audio components. It took several phone cals to my retailer to get the setup correct.

After many months of listening, I decided I did not like it the way it sounded in my system. In addition, there were too many boxes and too many wires in my living room. I sold everything and returned to my Ayre CX-7e CD player. I never looked back and like my CX-7e CD player very much.

For me, I liked the sound coming from the Ayre CX-7e better than the sound coming from the MAC computer and the Ayre QB-9 DAC. It felt more natural and clearer than the computer and DAC did. I suggest you audition the Ayre QB-9 in your system and then you can decide.

Hgeifman...thanks. The reason I am looking first to Ayre is because I have an all Ayre system with a C5xemp silver disc player (phenomenal...although the Superscout/Rim Drive/Benz LPS is a bit better most of the time. I'm also been interested in the new Bryston D to A.... but if digital is that much trouble..maybe its not ready for me.

Stringreen, you can get better digital...but seems like a few of us are not sure the download path vs spinning disc is worth it (given the comments above).

What about a better Ayre player? Like the DX5? I know it's more money...The thing I keep finding in digital is you have to spend a LOT of money to improve vs our vinyl set ups where a little here and there are pretty big sound improvements usually...The DX 5 allows you to experiment with downloading and maybe better disc spinning to...

You might find better cables or power, better isolation on your current rig is better than swapping players..I am familiar with most of your components..it's a great set up...really nice !!!

Wish their was a easy answer here...

I have yet to hear an audible improvement when switching between most high end DACs. I had the Ayre QB-9 at home for a week and compared it to the DAC built in to a McIntosh C50 I have. I have tried a variety of USB cables, interconnects, etc...

I am sure someone will say that either my hearing is bad or that my system is not revealing enough... but my experience is based on looking at many high end dealers and spending many hundreds of hours comparing equipment in person and at home.

I would prefer to cap my digital purchases to something like an Ayre QB-9 or W4S DAC2 and tack on $100-300 worth of cabling and call it a day.. spend more money on better speakers instead.

Regards,