Skyblue

While I think Steve has done a tremendous job, the history of computer music should certainly mention such companies and machines as the Commodore 64 and the Amiga. There were truly cheap solutions where everybody could do their own music. <br /> <br /> I have owned most good soundcards for my pcs during the last 20 years. Always going with the best soundcard available. So regardless of Steve, this site would definately have been here. Albeit there would have been fewer posts on how to circumvent iTunes..

The QB9 takes a lot of attention to detail to sound really great. I have had mine for 2 years now, and it can really sound truly amazing. However, it can also sound dull, if you are not careful. A couple of tips, pc only: - The usb hub driver must be updated. The standard Microsoft driver in windows just wont cut it. - This goes for pci as well, as the graphics card can take time away from the qb9 on the bus. - Take care that the QB9 is on a usb hub alone with no other items. This is was my last fix, and it made the sound go from fine to amazing. I use foobar2k with the new 24/192 asio driver recommended by ayre. The new version of it sounds better than the old. Oh yeah, and follow all advice on the ayre setup page. Its a bit like voodoo. I cannot really explain why all the tweaks make a difference, but I can hear that they do. Edit: Remove the cpu powersavings settings as well. Changing into powersave mode also degrades the sound.

Try looking up Adele live at the brit awards 2011 on youtube. A stunning performance, even in lowfi youtube quality!

I'm .. disinclined to look at this design more than necessary. What was wrong with the old?? Sheesh..

Maybe a daft question, but I was wondering about bitperfect signals from foobar to my dac. Assuming a digital dac and an amplifier, what is the best volume setting to have in foobar? Ie. is it better to let foobar scale the signal, or the analog amp? My guess would be 0db, ie the highest possible (amp scaling), but I don't know exactly what it does to lower the volume? Anyone given this a thought?

I like this site a lot, but .. I'm sorry, I just can't hear it

My clear winner, from a personal perspective, is the Ayre QB-9 dac. I came from a soundcard to this, and boy is that a big step up There might be better cheaper products, I don't know. But I enjoy it 8 hours a day at work, and thats what matters to me.

This review talks about a couple of months... http://www.ultraaudio.com/equipment/ayre_qb9.htm the previously mentioned 24/192 (and 24/176.4) receiver board will become standard on the QB-9 in a few months’ time, and will be available as an upgrade for all original-spec QB-9s for less than 10% of the retail price of a new QB-9. Who said you can’t have your cake and eat it, too? Personally I have yet to get my hands on anything 24/192, so its not a serious limitation to me.

I think it's nice that you have different opinions from more reviewers.<br /> <br /> However, while the QB-9 is very much plugnplay, I think that to just use WMP and nothing else, is like trying a ferrari on a sandroad and conclude it isn't very good.<br /> <br /> They should have at least followed Ayre's instructions and installed foobar2k with Asio. That sound is a whole different ballgame. If you don't, what you really hear is the windows upsampling algorithm. It isn't very good.<br /> <br /> So in any case, the Ayre can sound very much better than a standard WMP installation. And.. I suspect the rest of the other dacs can too..

Copenhagen, Denmark.

If you can change the volume of the sound using windows built in volume control, then your Asio isn't configured correctly. If the sound is different between different players, then they probably are not all configured to use Asio. Not using Asio will make a difference for the worse. A lot worse My guess is that your foobar2k isn's set up corrently. Theres about 110 ways of failing it. Following Ayre's instructions is almost enough, but you might have to configure Asio and foobar outputs a couple of times before it works.

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

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!!!

.. But I have the QB-9 and there is definately a break in period. The first 50 hours it sounded bad, but then it began to get better and better, and after around 300 hours it stabilised.<br /> <br /> This is not a question of belief or snake oil. This is my genuine experience.<br /> <br /> It's quite possible that this is due to "getting used to the sound", but I don't think so. On the other hand, one shouldnt really judge ones own state of mind

I think its cool with the upgrade, albeit the price model does make me kinda regret being a first mover. <br /> <br /> On the other hand, I have enjoyed it every day for about 8 hours (use it at work) since june.<br /> <br /> One thing though. Its not like its floating about with hi res recordings, so ...