My only issue with the unit, it is USB only. uzzled-6:

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AMP's: D'Agostino Momentum's
Pre Amp: Mcintosh C-1000 & C-1000P
Sources: McIntosh MCD-1100 & MS-300, Olive 4HD, SonoS, Pro-Ject 6 PerspeX
Speakers: MBL 111F
Cables: Transparent Ultra MM2 & Reference MM2 & Powerlink MM2x

Hi from France to the AA team.

Actually I'm new to this Forum but I wanted to share my opinion on the QB-9 with you. I've auditionned it briefly with a Mac MINI and a Plinius integrated driving Wilson SOPHIA 2.
Nothing harsh. I would even say a smooth restitution indeed but still quite dynamic. And the Sophia 2 will surely tell is there is something 'acid' or aggressive. These speakers are not hidding such potential issue upstream.
The dealer who made the demo for me said he prefers this Mac + Ayre combination to some high-end WADIA players (a brand he represents as well).

I'm considering this DAC for my system (Sophia, 1st serie) or the coming soon NAIM DAC or even the Berkeley. The later being not available in ECC. What is puzzling me is also the lack of a S/PDIF input. USB only is quite restrictive. A marketing choice, indeed, but maybe not the best one...

Cheers

Cellindo, bienvenue to AA!

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B&W 802D(2) B&W HTMD2 B&W 803D(2) B&W ASW825 McIntosh MC501(3) MC402 MX-136 MVP-871 Benchmark DAC1 Apple Mac Mini Rega P3-24 RGPC 400 pro WireWorld interconnects

Thank you Mister 80B ;-)

Since a few day I have at home the new Naim Audio DAC and I have to say that I'm rather impressed by what I can audition on my own system. A VERY GOOD product indeed. A source component matching very well with the Sophia.

I heard the unit yesterday, with Martian Logan speakers, and it was VERY smooth!

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For I am not ashamed, for I know [in] Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able...

It has been out for a little while. A few people here besides me have to have a QB-9. Are you using windows?

I am using foobar and XP but want to go to Windows 7. I am having no issues at the moment so I am reluctant to do until I read some positive feedback.

Thanks

Still waiting on the upgraded board to 196/24. There reference player has taken precedent over the QB-9 for the moment. On a side note.... I finally got a chance to listen to my brothers Berkley Alpha DAC and as worried as I was that I would have to run out and get one and build another server I came home still impressed with the QB-9 with no desire to change. The Berkley is as stunning as everyone writes but in my system the QB-9 just has the right synergy.

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Lou...

Krell EVO 707, 600(3), B&W 800D, HTM1D, JL F113(2), Ayre QB-9, Pioneer BDP-23FD, Denon 5910ci, PsAudio PPP, Soloist Premier SE.....Nordost(CAST), Purist Audio, Cardas, Shunyata.....Billy Bags, Symposium, HiFi-Tuning.....GIK acoustics

Hi,

Has anyone compared these? I'm really close to choosing the Metric Halo LIO-8 at $3455 without +dsp or $4K for the Amarra Four with +dsp. These have a firewire input and get rave reviews on other sites. I sure wish the QB-9 was available with 192/24 so we could compare them. I have heard the QB-9 and was impressed but it only has usb input at 96/24 for now and don't know how much an upgrade in the future would cost.

Joe

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Joe

Speakers: TAD CR-1's , Klipsch Cornwall III's, JBL 4312D. Amps: Conrad-Johnson MV-60, Burmester 911 MK3. Preamps: Burmester 099 dac/preamp, Burmester 077 w/ external power supply and 035. Electronics: Metric Halo LIO-8, SCD-XA5400ES, Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII Dac, Sony SCD-333ES, Audio Logic 24mxl DAC, Apple Mac Pro w/ Lynx Studio AES16e, Mac Mini, Amarra and Pure Vinyl. PurePower 2000AC regenerator. JL Audio F113x2

I was told the upgraded board to 192/24 should cost $250.

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Lou...

Krell EVO 707, 600(3), B&W 800D, HTM1D, JL F113(2), Ayre QB-9, Pioneer BDP-23FD, Denon 5910ci, PsAudio PPP, Soloist Premier SE.....Nordost(CAST), Purist Audio, Cardas, Shunyata.....Billy Bags, Symposium, HiFi-Tuning.....GIK acoustics

Alan Sircom of HiFi+ gives the QB-9 an extremely positive review. It seems to get universal praise from all those who review it. Very impressive.

Thanks Lou for the update. I thought it would cost much more. Hmmmm, so many choices.

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Joe

Speakers: TAD CR-1's , Klipsch Cornwall III's, JBL 4312D. Amps: Conrad-Johnson MV-60, Burmester 911 MK3. Preamps: Burmester 099 dac/preamp, Burmester 077 w/ external power supply and 035. Electronics: Metric Halo LIO-8, SCD-XA5400ES, Aqvox USB2 D/A MKII Dac, Sony SCD-333ES, Audio Logic 24mxl DAC, Apple Mac Pro w/ Lynx Studio AES16e, Mac Mini, Amarra and Pure Vinyl. PurePower 2000AC regenerator. JL Audio F113x2