Digital Processor Reviews

Ayre Acoustics QA-9 USB A/D converter Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Solid-state A/D converter with USB 2.0 and AES/EBU data outputs, one pair of balanced analog inputs on XLR jacks (pin 2 hot). Sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192kHz (USB Class 2); 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96kHz (USB Class 1). Bit depth: 24. Input impedance: 2M ohms (1M ohm per signal phase). Input sensitivity: 10.0V RMS with level control at minimum, 750mV with control at maximum. Pro version adds Word Clock and DSD outputs, both on 75 ohm, transformer-isolated BNC jacks.
Dimensions: 8.5" (215mm) W by 3" (76mm) H by 11.5" (290mm) D. Weight: 5 lbs (2.3kg).
Finish: Brushed aluminum.
Serial Number of Unit Reviewed: Not noted (first sample); 2IC0001 (second sample).
Price: $3950; Pro version, $4750. Approximate number of dealers: 40.
Manufacturer; Ayre Acoustics, Inc., 2300-B Central Avenue, Boulder, CO 80301. Tel: (303) 442-7300. Fax: (303) 442-7301. Web: www.ayre.com.

COMPANY INFO
Ayre Acoustics, Inc.
2300-B Central Avenue
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 442-7300
www.ayre.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
JR_Audio's picture
Submitted by JR_Audio on November 6, 2012 - 12:03pm

Hi John.

A nice review on a sort of “untypical” HiFi product (AD Converter) with some very good aspects from Charles Hansen about Digital Filter

Juergen

PS: I have had also the Metric Halo ULN-2, because of the good reputation, but was not happy with the sound and so sold it after 1 month.

mav52's picture
Submitted by mav52 on November 29, 2012 - 6:07am

John, have you tried any of the Symmetricom timing analyzerers like,  TimeMonitor Suite etc.. for measuring jitter ?

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on November 29, 2012 - 8:36am

Quote:
have you tried any of the Symmetricom timing analyzerers like,  TimeMonitor Suite etc.. for measuring jitter ?

Sorry, no.

John Atkinson

Editor, Stereophile

Staffan Fritz's picture
Submitted by Staffan Fritz on January 28, 2013 - 10:19am

Hi John,

Thanks for reviewing an A/D-converter - not many of those reviews around!

What I would like to see in Stereophile is an article covering the hardware in different price brackets necessary to rip vinyl, as A/D-converters and, especially, the stage between the turntable and the converter. It's difficult enough to choose between all the available phono amplifiers, but what if you want to apply the RIAA curve in the digital domain: what then to use? How much do you have to invest to gain anything compared to using your existing phono stage that cannot bypass the RIAA filter? What about using a tape deck to amplify the signal so that you can use a line input? Or is a microphone amplifier the way to go, and then what about impedance and what not (I'm totally lost there).

Thanks for a very entertaining magazine; one of the true highlights of the month even if most of the reviewed equipment is way out of my reach. But I enjoy it all the same!

Staffan Fritz

Visby, Sweden

hemingway's picture
Submitted by hemingway on August 12, 2021 - 10:38am

Hi John,

This is a long time in the past and perhaps I missed it in your text. I see a comparison between the files, but did you perform a comparison of the rip to the live event? I note that Michael Fremer's review of PureVinyl in 2010 has a comparison of the live playback and a ripped file, however he uses a different phono stage for the live playback than was used for the rip, so it seems apples to oranges. I also note that your recent review of PureVinyl 5/Seta preamp notes there is nothing to distinguish between the PureVinyl 5 and earlier rips. But again that seems between files. I assume but want to confirm you found the rips 'transparent' or not distinguishable from the 'real' thing?
Best regards

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