r2d2

I currently have a setup which includes the qbd76. Goes like - macbook pro -> toslink - > qbd76 ----> lehman black cube linear ----> sennheiser hd800/ hd650/ denon d7000. I always have the 5 second ram buffer selected. The spdif sounds better than the usb with this dac imo.

I use it with SPDIF from a macbook pro. I tried the USB from a netbook. To my ears it still sounded very good.

Hi guys been real busy but can finally update this thread... Would like to thank the various members who advised me to audition both of the dacs. I had decided to purchase the Ayre dac by just reading the various reviews online and from forum posts etc. In hindsight this was foolish as I made a choice without letting my ears decide. One of the main things I was looking for in a dac was a realistic and detailed playback of my lossless music, to be used in a headphone based system for the immediate future. Very shortly after recieving the Chord qbd76 and used it in my setup I knew which dac I wanted to keep. I found the chord so much more natural and trasparent sounding than the QB9. The instruments felt more real and in the room with the chord. Like the other posters have said here, when you listen to the QB9 you are impressed with its sound, then when listening to the chord its a wow factor. I listened to many styles of music (no rap lol) from rock to jazz to classical. The chord was very analytical and seperated the different sounds/instruments at a level that the QB9 couldnt. I would recommend the Chord to anyone who enjoys listening to music. It is cheaper in the UK than anywhere else so thats good. Though still expensive at £3000.

I will definately write some impressions. I think its going to be an interesting comparison between the two.

Ed I believe the qbd76 is between $5 and $6 in the US. I have seen one brand new advertised for $5. Chord gear is a little more expensive than in the UK. I have been listening to the Ayre QB9 and I agree with a what posters have said in their descriptions of this dac. I have the qbd76 arriving thursday and will choose the dac I like the sound of most. Will post a more descriptive comparison between the two when I have both here. Thanks again for all your help guys. I wouldnt have auditioned the chord if not for the glowing reviews here,

Hi guys. I have bought the qb9, its burning in now. The retailer I purchased the qb9 from will send out the chord qbd76 to me to test. If I like it more the qb9 he will let me keep it and just pay the difference, and send the qb9 back obviously.

I think the poster is referring to the outputs you are using. Balanced (xlr) or non balanced (rca).

Hi guys. An update from me. I have all weekend researched, read various review/forums and have bought the ayre dac today. It arrives tommorow. My main reason for purchase is that I will only use this dac with a pc setup and usb. The ayre is obviously designed around the usb with async etc. I didnt want to fiddle with buttons either. The chord was going to cost me around 2.5k and the ayre cost 2k pounds so price was not the issue really. If I am not happy with the ayre I can always exchange it with the chord lol. Guys thanks for much for your feedback and advice. This is an awesome forum.

I have seen a few reviews for the test versions, its not to great compared to the price bracket.

I will be payin slightly more for the qbd76. So its not really a matter of price. Chord stuff is cheaper in the UK compared to elsewhere. Plus I got a deal as well for being a long term customer. When you guys say fatiguing to you mean there is so much detail is tiresome etc? I am still undecided lol. I think I will be happy whichever I get. Thanks for all the feedback.

Thanks for the further comments guys. I am more in favour of the Ayre currently. Still not 100% commited though! Kshep how is the Ayre with vocals? How are you finding it general?

I will use as a headphone setup source mainly. I have the lehman black cub linear head phone amp, and the sennheiser hd800 headphones. I want an accurate detailed sound, and love hearing the details in instruments and vocals. I am still torn between these two! Will there be a noticable difference the two? Does one use a "better" more accurate dac than the other? Thanks for your reply.

I unfortunately cannot audition/test these two dacs, and will be purchasing one of the two very soon. I will pay slightly more for the qbd76. But not bothered about the price difference. I have read here that the ayre has a burr brown dac by TI, and the chord has its own in house "pulse array dac" etc etc. I have read that the ayre also uses FPGA chips, in its digital filters, etc etc, this confuses me lol I will be mostly using the USB inputs for the both dacs, although I do like the multiple input options of the CHORD. What are the main differences in sound quality between these two? If someone knows I would love to hear thanks,