amey01
Well-known member
I'm probably one of the most advanced digital streaming people on the forum, but I just don't get the new crop of USB DACs like the Ayre QB-9.
As exemplary as the performance no doubt is, what is the point in having a DAC that accepts only a USB input? Regardless of whether USB does or does not sound better than S/PDIF (most are limited to 16/48), most digital streaming devices out there support S/PDIF primarily and most don't even have USB outputs. Squeezebox, Transporter, Sonos ZPs, Sooloos, Linn DS, Naim HDX, Soundbridge, Olive, the list goes on.
I'm all for a USB input on a normal DAC, but I fail to see why a USB only DAC would be of interest to anyone unless you want a computer in your listening room. And why would you want that? - no nice interface, no remote, noisy hard disk in your room, etc.
So a great DAC like the Ayre becomes dismissed by me. What a shame.
Anyone like to comment or put me in line?
As exemplary as the performance no doubt is, what is the point in having a DAC that accepts only a USB input? Regardless of whether USB does or does not sound better than S/PDIF (most are limited to 16/48), most digital streaming devices out there support S/PDIF primarily and most don't even have USB outputs. Squeezebox, Transporter, Sonos ZPs, Sooloos, Linn DS, Naim HDX, Soundbridge, Olive, the list goes on.
I'm all for a USB input on a normal DAC, but I fail to see why a USB only DAC would be of interest to anyone unless you want a computer in your listening room. And why would you want that? - no nice interface, no remote, noisy hard disk in your room, etc.
So a great DAC like the Ayre becomes dismissed by me. What a shame.
Anyone like to comment or put me in line?