Any Ayre Codex users out there?

Jim Smith said:
Just be sure it has been on and playing non-stop for 8 hours if possible. :popcorn:
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Yes, absolutely. And before really testing the amp section it is good to keep in mind that Ayres typically require 300 hours of burn-in.


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the professor said:
I find that good advice for any DAC and most preamps.
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Agreed - with the Ayre Dacs (as with others) - IMO - you need to reach some sort of thermal equilibrium for the digital circuitry. It isn't just the analog circuitry needing to warm up. And sitting without processing a signal will not yield a warm-up as thoroughly.

When I voice a system, I leave the DAC in place at the client's place the night before we start the voicing. I send the DAC a repeating signal - either a music playlist or - most often - a recording of the sound of the surf - but either way, on repeat until we are ready to begin voicing the next am.

Found this works consistently. This is my experience with every DAC I have ever used, especially so with the Ayre DACs and the Schiit Iggy.
 
Was just about to start this topic. So...what's the latest consensus?

I love my QB-9 DSD; but getting better, is better. Like Mike...I'd buy a Brooklyn in a heartbeat; but I have no need, and hate the idea, of paying for a Phono section.

I'm not a DAC-as-pre guy...until I find one, that'll top a good, tube unit; and the headphone features, do me no good in the Main room...as I have a can set-up in a different room.

You know me; I'm ready to try the DAC du-jour; but I just don't see anything exciting...that I have reason to suspect, will sound any better than the QB-9 DSD (at a reasonable price; and I'm not a tube-in-my-DAC guy...so Lampis are out, lol)
 
A lots of Ayre customers say they prefer the Codex to the QB-9. Also, Ayre is rumored to bring out a 5 series DAC which is even better.


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I still prefer my Codex to my QB-9 DSD.

I prefer my Schiit Iggy to either, but I have no serious interest in DVD, which the Iggy cannot do anyway.
 
I owned the Ayre QB-9 for a couple years and I've extensively auditioned the Ayre Codex. IMO, the Codex sounds significantly more musical than the QB-9. The Codex punches way above its price and sounds wonderful in the most expensive systems. I heard the Codex in a $100K system and it was in no way a weak link.

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
I owned the Ayre QB-9 for a couple years and I've extensively auditioned the Ayre Codex. IMO, the Codex sounds significantly more musical than the QB-9. The Codex punches way above its price and sounds wonderful in the most expensive systems. I heard the Codex in a $100K system and it was in no way a weak link.

Ken
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Ken, very interesting comment from someone with your hi end experience, I have to second you on that.

I actually bought it for my summerhouse system, but was so intrigued by the sound I will take it home to put it against the Meitner MA-1 - just for the fun of it. Overall it would be a test similar to what you referred to.

Michael from Ayre actually recommended me to do that, thinking it would not fare too shabby in a good environment. Will be interesting to see.

Whatever the case, I again agree that it punches above its weight.

PS: For anyone caring about head-fi, using the balanced cable option should really make a difference, e.g. with WyWires Red balanced cables and the Senn HD800. I must however say I have not yet tried it myself.
 
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The real brilliance of the Ayre Codex is the performance you get at its price point. It is a tremendous value. How much improvement will be provided by the 5-Series DAC over the Codex for all those extra dollars?

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
The real brilliance of the Ayre Codex is the performance you get at its price point. It is a tremendous value. How much improvement will be provided by the 5-Series DAC over the Codex for all those extra dollars?

Ken
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A very valid question: I think there is only so much you can get out of an off-the-shelve DAC chip, such as the various Sabres used in the Ayre products. So while I think Ayre does a tremendous job here, I also belive the guys with the capability to program their own FPGAs, such as Meitner, Playback Designs, MSB etc., might have a leg up in the top range.

Nevertheless, the Codex remains remarkable at its price point.
 
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