Ayre QA-9 A-D converter

[Bruce B]

Just read the review in the new Stereophile of the Ayre QA-9 A-D converter by JA... all I can say is hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

 

[edorr]

Just read the review in the new Stereophile of the Ayre QA-9 A-D converter by JA... all I can say is hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

I read it too and was wondering how it would stack up against your mega bucks A/D converters.

Why consumer market company Ayre decided to build a device that is mainly used in professional studio applications (as far as I understand), rather than jump on the music server, network streamer, digital preamp/DAC bandwagon is a little puzzling to me. For example, building a volume control and analog inputs into his QB9 would offer more commercial potential in my estimation.

 

[Andre Marc]

Just read the review in the new Stereophile of the Ayre QA-9 A-D converter by JA... all I can say is hmmmmmmmmmmmm.....

Other than JA's dry as a bone writing style, what were the specific areas that were confusing?

 

[Bruce B]

Other than JA's dry as a bone writing style, what were the specific areas that were confusing?

Just things like he "normalized" the file and other recording techniques. Since he was using the Professional model, the only difference is that it outputs DSD... and he didn't even use it??

And other things that left me scratching my head.....

 

[docvale]

I read it too and was wondering how it would stack up against your mega bucks A/D converters.

Why consumer market company Ayre decided to build a device that is mainly used in professional studio applications (as far as I understand), rather than jump on the music server, network streamer, digital preamp/DAC bandwagon is a little puzzling to me. For example, building a volume control and analog inputs into his QB9 would offer more commercial potential in my estimation.

I'm far from being competent, anyway IMHO this product from Ayre has not the purpose to compete with established professional units, but to fulfill the desire of the audio enthusiast to create a digital archive of his own LPs.
A Seta Model L, the QA-9, a USB cable and Pure Vinyl on a Mac: no professional cards, a digital (editable) archive with digital RIAA. Expensive, yes... but it might encourage wealthy audiophiles to create a "backup".

 

[Andre Marc]

Just things like he "normalized" the file and other recording techniques. Since he was using the Professional model, the only difference is that it outputs DSD... and he didn't even use it??

And other things that left me scratching my head.....

Understood.

Well, as far as DSD, I guess he has no DSD files, and to the best of my knowledge no DSD recorder. He probably asked for the "professional model" because
he probably felt the "standard" model was beneath him lol.

 

[rockitman]

Just things like he "normalized" the file and other recording techniques. Since he was using the Professional model, the only difference is that it outputs DSD... and he didn't even use it??

And other things that left me scratching my head.....

Will the pro model output PCM via XLR to record digital in with the Tascam DA3000 ? I know it will output dsd via USB, but I am assuming that the dsd conversion cannot be recorded with the DA3000 since you cannot record via USB inputs on the Tascam ?

 

[Bruce B]

Will the pro model output PCM via XLR to record digital in with the Tascam DA3000 ? I know it will output dsd via USB, but I am assuming that the dsd conversion cannot be recorded with the DA3000 since you cannot record via USB inputs on the Tascam ?

DSD output is via the SDIF-3 outputs, so just use the BNC connectors on the Tascam.

 

[rockitman]

DSD output is via the SDIF-3 outputs, so just use the BNC connectors on the Tascam.

Just so I am clear, with the pro model I can run both PCM via XLR and DSD via SDIF-3 and record either one via DA-3000 ? How many cables needed for the DSD hookup ? ie: one for each channel plus the clock for a total of 3 or is the clock connection not needed for what I am trying to do ? Are they standard BNC connectors on the cables ?

 

[Bruce B]

Just so I am clear, with the pro model I can run both PCM via XLR and DSD via SDIF-3 and record either one via DA-3000 ? How many cables needed for the DSD hookup ? ie: one for each channel plus the clock for a total of 3 or is the clock connection not needed for what I am trying to do ? Are they standard BNC connectors on the cables ?

yes, 3 Standard 75ohm BNC cables. L/R/clock.

and PCM on XLR

 

[rockitman]

yes, 3 Standard 75ohm BNC cables. L/R/clock.

and PCM on XLR

Thanks Bruce. Please PM me if you can recommend a good dealer for Ayre.