Ayre QB-9 Problem

**Mike in MD** · 11-10-2009, 08:51 AM

The QB-9 is unstable when I first turn on the computer. The DAC produces a very loud buzz of noise. This noise continues until I open Foobar and click play. So far, the DAC has keep lock during the rest of the playback session. I would guess that this is a software problem, rather than hardware.

I called Ayre this morning and left a message about the problem. I hope Ayre can fix this and send me a file that I can use to update the QB-9 software.

The QB-9 had 170 hours of music break-in before I started to listen to it. Maybe I should have expected this kind of thing in a new product. Luckily, Quads don't have a tweeter, so I didn't damage anything (I'm keeping my fingers crossed). I think I will go back to my CD player until this is fixed.

Mike

**Mike in MD** · 11-10-2009, 01:43 PM

Ayre says that this is a "known bug." The bug only happens with a few rare computers (like mine). It seems I was sold an "old" model by their dealer. They have graciously offered to send a "new" model to the dealer and I can then exchange. All I lose is the effort that I put into the 170 hour burn-in. And, in the meantime, I should turn down the sound level when I turn on the computer.

Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances.

**BigHat** · 11-10-2009, 02:46 PM

I have yet to connect into my system but have run it for about 500 hours (via another computer w/o speakers connected) now as I re-rip music. Might you be willing to share your serial number or elements of it? Would like to know if mine was sitting in inventory too.

Edit: I assume this isn't an issue for a MacBook Pro? That may be all the info I need.

**Mike in MD** · 11-10-2009, 03:16 PM

I don't think there is any reason to keep a serial number secret. It is 18B0135.
I have a PC, so maybe this bug does not happen to Mac. I don't know.
Congratulations on your 500 hour burn-in. I am not going to be able to repeat mine.

**audiozorro** · 11-10-2009, 04:28 PM

Who cares about the burn-in time loss. You're getting a brand new model, which is not only a nice thing for the manufacturer to do but the right thing to do. I wish all vendors and dealers would stand behind their products as well.

**Stretch** · 11-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Not a single drop-out or stutter since I plugged it into the iMac. I'd be interested to know more about what causes this issue on some systems, though.

As far as burn-in goes, I thought there was a change for the better after a few days of use but not much after that. Don't drive yourself nuts.

**Thomas J** · 11-10-2009, 04:47 PM

A loss is a loss, Zorro. So too is a fault a fault and a recall a recall.

**Mike in MD** · 11-11-2009, 11:02 AM

I am very happy with the response that I have gotten from both Ayre and from their dealer, JS Audio in Bethesda, MD. Especially when you consider some of the horror stories we see posted on CA and elsewhere.

Mike

**idiot_savant** · 11-11-2009, 03:07 PM

of the "new dawn" of computer based audio - the fact that there are literally millions of combinations of motherboard, CPU, RAM, OS etc. This means that companies that are relatively small in the world scheme, like Ayre, have literally no chance of testing anywhere near all the combinations - so problems are bound to occur, and in this case, it would appear that Ayre/dealer are doing all they can to sort it out, so top marks to them!

your friendly neighbourhood idiot

**joeling** · 11-12-2009, 01:31 AM

I have had mine for nearly 2 weeks. Just completed the burn in for about 10+ days. Inserted into the system again last night & all for the better. The previous uneasiness (actually I felt a pulsating vein between the bridge of the nose & my right eye) was nearly gone. Very weird experience. Anyway, no pops or unwanted noise whatsoever.

Burn in did change things for the better in my case.

Regards,
Joe Ling

**Skyblue** · 11-12-2009, 04:47 AM

But my dealer never got back to me. Time for another mail I guess...

Btw. did you see that the QB-9 got Stereophiles overall product of the year award!!!

**Mike in MD** · 11-12-2009, 08:50 AM

Gordon Rankin says:
"For some reason the Windows operating system is reseting the USB link three times (startup or out of sleep) within a 10ms time period. No doubt some huge company required this odd thing. After 3 days I figured out a software change that fixes this problem. This happens only on certain computer BIOS and Windows updates. So far the ASUS computers seem to be the biggest problem, though I did hear about a German version of a DELL having the same issue. "

And I have an ASUS board. So that's the problem.

Thanks Gordon for identifying this issue.

Mike

**Skyblue** · 11-12-2009, 12:40 PM

I have a gigabyte motherboard, GA-X48T-DQ6 and the same problem. Perhaps the problem is not in the Asus boards as such, but maybe in the intel chipset or something?

I believe that the usb controller resides on a standard chip that they just plug onto their boards....

Anyway I contacted my dealer in the UK and I'll see what they have to say. If the problem is fixed, then its fixed

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Ayre QB-9 Problem

a known bug

Serial Number

sure

No chances here

Mine has been utterly stable.

...

Ayre is a good company

This is possibly the greatest challenge

I have had mine for nearly 2

My QB-9 have the exact same problem

beware ASUS boards

Gigabyte here