Connecting DX5 to QX5
 

I am new to the stand alone DAC game. I just bought a QX5 and I have a DX5. The first thing I want to do is use my DX5 CD player to feed the QX5. I bought a high quality USB cable a yr back that never used can I use this to connect them, are there better options? Please advise thx

Does the DX-5 have a USB output? Ayre recommends the balanced digital audio output (AES) for the C-5xeMP when playing CDs and the direct path to the preamp for SACDs, which can be output in digital form only via copy-protected HDMI.

db

The USB connection on the DX-5 is a digital input only, you will have to use the AES output. (ensure it's switched to on position), but as mentioned above, resolution will be limited.

DX-5 already has a good DAC, for SACD/Blu-ray the analog balanced output probably is the best option.

According to Ayre, the DAC of the QX-5 Twenty is superior to that of the C-5xeMP, and the same might be true of the DX-5. Ayre recommends the AES connection for playing CDs on the C-5xeMP that are converted to an analog output from the Q-5.

db

The QX5 is Ayre's best sounding DAC by far. Never tried to hook up their players to it. I have a Marantz Blue ray hooked up to the sp/diff input of the QX5 and it sounds WORLDS better than it ever has. Good luck.

Also, keep in mind that ripping your CD's and playing them back will usually sound much better than playing the CD. Proper ripping is needed, but when done properly, it sounds better. I'm have ordered The Memory Player, which has proprietary ways to rip and lower jitter to ridiculous levels and the sound is the best so far. Not even the Aurender N10 sounds as good. If you go to their site and read up on what they do (some of their tech can even be put into your computer based servers and upgrade their sound greatly). (NOT A COMMERCIAL EITHER). It's just about the stuff that they are able to do, that was my point.

Computer based tech is not easy and most have yet to figure it out. I think that going forward it will have to become easier for all of us adn also sound better. This is what happened to digital since it's inception. It's taken a long time to get to where 16/44 sounds as good as ti does and it will sound even better once the ringing and jitter are gone.

Hope you are able to figure out the hook up and get the great sound that the Ayre gear has in it's DNA.

After some splashing around, I've come up with a Mac Mini loaded with 8 GB RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and a 4 TB backup disc that runs Roon core and sends files to my QX-5 Twenty/KX-5 Twenty combination. Roon remote runs on a iPad. For me, it's an entirely new way to enjoy music: Sit in my chair, select what I want to hear, have it played in superb sonic quality.

db

For CD's I can understand using the AES connection, but SACD or Blu ray the best result will be using the internal DX-5 DAC. (to keep the original resolution)

Unfortunately, Ayre did not include an HDMI input in the QX-Twenty, although the DX-5 includes an HDMI output. I think the vagaries of HDMI may have proven a pain for many smaller manufacturers.

Thx everybody, the qx5 will be in Tuesday and I also ordered a Shunyata sigma nr aes/ebu cable, can’t want to try it.

Thx again, updated my signature wanted to see If it works