Blackstone

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I have a similar system but with the AX-5. It always sounds good, but I noticed that little things make a big difference. For example, I can hear the difference when my Plasma TV is on the same outlet bank as my amp, so I moved it to a separate conditioning unit. I can hear significant changes in tonal balance between three different ethernet cables. (The Transparent Audio Performance Ethernet won out). There is a massive difference between my PC via USB and by ethernet into QX-5, with even junk ethernet cable beating out an $800 audiophile USB. With the cables you could feel the difference in the bass. A lot of things that you would suspect would fall in possible placebo range of difference end up being quite important. Again, it always sounds good, but you can definitely fine tune it. Especially with cables, and wine! An all 5 series system is damn formidable. Congrats and have fun!

I don’t know about the logistics. I am not in the industry. It is happening so I am spreading the word. If I was in the market for an integrated unit like this (DAC/PRE/AMP) I would definately go out of my way to hear it. The QX—5 demo I got in that same room was one of the best sounding systems I have ever heard.

Not far from Axpona, FYI: “Michael Wiedmaier of Ayre Acoustics will be in the store all day to demonstrate the EX-8 and answer your questions. Joining Michael will be Bob McConnell of Transparent Audio as well as representatives from Harmonic Resolution Systems. The event runs from 10am to 6pm at at 1014 Davis Street, Evanston, IL 60201.”

The best input is Ethernet anyway. It is vastly superior to USB in my long term testing.

He was the personification of everything I like about the hobby and the industry. Truly a devastating loss to the community. A truly inspirational person and the founder of my favorite brand in audio. I can’t think of another single component manufacturer who had such a profound impact on me as life long audio enthusiast. What else can I say?

The QX-5 Twenty and the KX-5 are both the true stars, without question and I’d say they are about equally important. The QX-5 and KX-5 are both units to aspire to. Those two units probably have the biggest influence on the sound and they work together spectacularly well. Once you have QX-5 for a while, you are just plain spoiled it really is quite good. I don’t think the QB-9 or Codex come close. I think the power amp is perhaps more a matter of taste and synergy with your speakers. I think the Ayre DAC and PRE are so good that just they will boost any system and are no brainers, but there is room to experiment with power amps. I could see a pair of Boulder mono blocks for example being a good fit. Of course Ayre has their own mono blocks. I love the 5 series amp, I am just not quite as certain about it as the dac and pre. Having said that I have QX-5, AX-5 Twenty, Transparent ref cabling and power conditoning, Transparent Premium USB cable, ect, and B&W 802D speakers and performance is so incredibly good I could probably just end it there and be satisified. First time in decades in the hobby that I feel like the music is the focus and not the gear. I think the cables and power conditioning makes up that last 15% that puts the system into the “I could sit here and listen all day” stratosphere. I just stick with Transparent for that stuff they always deliver. Glad to see the Ayre gear is getting the love it deserves.

If the Melco was a Roon endpoint it would be a no brainer.

Just add a good rye whiskey to the end of your signal chain until the new firmware hits. I am still waiting for the Roon update that launches a drone with the right wine and cheese for your music selection. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

ASC Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

I don't even see the new DSP features. Does server not do them? Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

Scott, I did replace the full Roon with the Roon 1.3 "server" and it does sound quite a bit better it seems. Imaging is much improved in particular, the stage is wider and instruments seem to occupy more specific point in space. I heard it immediately. There is also more resolution and a little less edge at the same time. No DSP. I probably will ditch JRiver at this point. Good tip! Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

Well if Roon will eventually unfold MQA and play those streams at their native sample rates then that is great. No, I have not switched from Roon Core to Roon Server yet but I will. I haven't had much listening time in recent weeks. Hopefully I'll get to that this weekend. Sent from my iPhone using Computer Audiophile

How is Roon 1.3? My trial just ran out.

Are you saying if I use the Tidal app on my PC, I get can hires from Tidal into QX-5? The Tidal app does the unfolding, so to speak? But if I wanted to use Roon it would be 24/48. The Tidal app could output 96KHz though? Is that right? I haven't really tried Tidal...yet.