Ayre Acoustics QB-9 DSD (384/24 PCM and DSD128)

Price Reduced!
This is an Ayre QB9 Digital to Analog Converter. I am the original owner. I had it upgraded 1 1/2 years ago by Ayre to support playback of up to 384/24 PCM and DSD128.

This is a Stereophile Class A+ rated component. It is an outstanding Roon device.

Review:
https://www.stereophile.com/computeraudio/ayre_acoustics_qb-9_usb_dac/index.html

Below is the A+ rating description from Stereophile's 2017 Recommened Components:

Ayre QB9-DSD
Ayre Acoustics QB-9 DSD: $3450  The QB-9 is an asynchronous transfer mode, USB-input DAC with Ayre's minimum-phase digital reconstruction filter implemented in Field-Programmable Gate Array. It uses a Texas Instruments TAS1020B chip, supporting sample rates up to 96kHz and word lengths up to 24 bits. High-resolution digital files "popped with life" and were marked by a natural flow and physical impact that allowed WP to form a deeper emotional connection with the music. JA: "Ayre's QB-9 is well engineered, offering excellent performance in both the analog and digital domains, and is not compromised by its having just a USB data input." JI felt the QB-9 exceeded the YBA WD202 and Benchmark DAC1 USB in terms of spatial detail, depth, and width, while adding a touch of seductive clarity. "Wow!" The latest version of the QB-9 uses an XMOS XS-1 microprocessor chip and supports sampling rates via USB2.0 up to 192kHz. Earlier QB-9s can be upgraded for $250. Compared with the Resolution Audio Cantata, the Ayre tended to exaggerate sibilants on some recordings but provided a warmer, fleshier midrange, felt JI. Compared to the NAD M51, the Ayre had slightly greater punch and better dynamic edges. Compared to the much more expensive MSB Diamond DAC IV, the QB-9 had a very slightly more aggressive midrange, but otherwise held its own, said JI. Current production as of mid-2013, auditioned by AD in connection with his AX-5 review in Vol.36 No.7, uses an ESS Sabre DAC chip, offers improvements to the USB chip power supply, and will decode DSD data. Stereophile's "Joint Digital Source" and "Overall Component" of 2009. (Vol.32 No.10, Vol.33 No.6, Vol.34 Nos.7 & 11, Vol.35 Nos.7 & 10, Vol.38 No.11 WWW) Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2017-edition-digital-processors#TuKlkZpVjqwRrJkT.99