New Ayre QX-5 Twenty DAC? Any updates?

The QX-5 Twenty is my only dac at this point. I use one of the spdif inputs for my modified Sonos. I have the network input fed by a cat 5e cable and the usb is fed by my Lumin U1.

Break in does indeed take a long time but it's well worth it.

Coming from other dacs, it's apparent that the QX5 is very natural and easy to listen to.

I don't want to use the word analog sounding because after hearing my friend Bruce's table and cart setup, no digital sounds analog. His vinyl setup sounds amazing. But, my Ayre has been the wonderful for me. It sounds as right as it could be, to me. It does not immediately blow you away, which to me is good because those kind of pieces don't last. The QX5 grows and grows on me everyday. It's dead quiet and sounds musical to me.


bluedoor said:
Anymore feedbacks about the qx5?
How does it perform via USB (fed with a PC/Mac or streamer) vs the ethernet connection?
And the other digital inputs to a transport? SPDIF vs AES/EBU?
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The mConnect app is ok, nothing great but works. It can be a little wonky at times but the sound is worth it. The QX5 shows up on the network. I has not used the wifi antenna to augment the dac, I don't feel I need it. I am considering the Melco server to feed the ethernet connection. It should be an excellent combo. Feeding it Aurender will be awesome too.

I love roon, bit don't like having a computer in my room. I guess you could set it up in an adjacent room to keep the noise down.



bluedoor said:
Thanks for your insight.
Who does the Ethernet connection works? We simple connect it to a router and the device can see the library (stored on a NAS for instance) with the ROON server on a MacBook?
If so, why do you need an Aurender (or any other streaming device)?
800 to 1000h is just insane...
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Joe, congrats on the QX-5! Didn't know you have one. Sounds like a wonderful piece.
 
Thank you. It's a great dac. I've become an Ayre fan for sure.
 
I couldn't agree more Joe.

It just does so many things right. With nothing that gets in the way.

I only use the USB being fed by my Lumin U1.

joeinid said:
The QX-5 Twenty is my only dac at this point. I use one of the spdif inputs for my modified Sonos. I have the network input fed by a cat 5e cable and the usb is fed by my Lumin U1.

Break in does indeed take a long time but it's well worth it.

Coming from other dacs, it's apparent that the QX5 is very natural and easy to listen to.

I don't want to use the word analog sounding because after hearing my friend Bruce's table and cart setup, no digital sounds analog. His vinyl setup sounds amazing. But, my Ayre has been the wonderful for me. It sounds as right as it could be, to me. It does not immediately blow you away, which to me is good because those kind of pieces don't last. The QX5 grows and grows on me everyday. It's dead quiet and sounds musical to me.
Click to expand...
 
I have a QX-5 Twenty and VX-5 Twenty inbound. I am looking forward to experiencing first hand what everyone is raving about.
 
I've been playing with this DAC all weekend in my system at home. Definitely a great performer. Very musical.


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Any update on your Ayre combo? Give them plenty of time to break in and they will reward you for your patience. I'm curious about your thoughts.

As good as the QX5 is, I still always prefer a preamp in my system. A preamp really helps bring the musicality to a system.

fourxmotion said:
I have a QX-5 Twenty and VX-5 Twenty inbound. I am looking forward to experiencing first hand what everyone is raving about.
Click to expand...
 
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joeinid said:
Any update on your Ayre combo? Give them plenty of time to break in and they will reward you for your patience. I'm curious about your thoughts.

As good as the QX5 is, I still always prefer a preamp in my system. A preamp really helps bring the musicality to a system.
Click to expand...

+1 Wholeheartedly agree!


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In case of interest: there's John Atkinson's review of the QX-5/20 in the latest Stereophile. He also used it to create the analog master tapes for the vinyl version of Sasha Matson's "Tight Lines".

Quote: "After I'd resolved the issues of system synergy, there was no doubt in my mind: Ayre Acoustics' QX-5 Twenty is one of the finest sounding, most versatile, digital audio products I've had the pleasure of using... Class A+ with a bullet!

Interesting read.


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Kuoppis said:
In case of interest: there's John Atkinson's review of the QX-5/20 in the latest Stereophile. He also used it to create the analog master tapes for the vinyl version of Sasha Matson's "Tight Lines".

Quote: "After I'd resolved the issues of system synergy, there was no doubt in my mind: Ayre Acoustics' QX-5 Twenty is one of the finest sounding, most versatile, digital audio products I've had the pleasure of using... Class A+ with a bullet!

Interesting read.


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Click to expand...

I concur. I love connecting it via Ethernet and using Roon with it.
 
Mike said:
I concur. I love connecting it via Ethernet and using Roon with it.
Click to expand...

This is major praise from one of the most respected audio reviewers (at least by me) in the industry.

A heartfelt congrats to Charlie Hansen for his outstanding work!


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