Hello everyone, my first post here.
Having being without an audio system for the past twenty five years, I've spent the last few months auditioning as much equipment as possible. After seriously considered a number of alternatives - including Naim and its power supplies and powerlines and fraims and multitudes of boxes - my path led to an audition of a Boulder 865 integrated amp, Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers, and an Esoteric X-05 source. It was pretty nice, I think I could live with that.
But I don't think I want to invest in a CD player, preferring the idea of a DAC and a streamer. So I started doing some research, and discovered the Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB DAC seemed to be well thought of by Stereophile, I like the idea of a product that does one thing well, and put that on my list. But my Boulder/Elipsa dealer thinks I should get the Belcanto One REF DAC3 vb with ultra Clock instead, she says it's a better choice, and it happens to be a product that she carries (she doesn't carry the Ayre.)
I would be greatful for any comments on any of this equipment, and in particular on the choice between the two DACs, or additional suggestions.
For cables, my dealer is recommending Balanced MusicLink Super, and since I know nothing about cables, a comment on that would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Daniel
Hello everyone, my first post here.
Having being without an audio system for the past twenty five years, I've spent the last few months auditioning as much equipment as possible. After seriously considered a number of alternatives - including Naim and its power supplies and powerlines and fraims and multitudes of boxes - my path led to an audition of a Boulder 865 integrated amp, Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers, and an Esoteric X-05 source. It was pretty nice, I think I could live with that.
But I don't think I want to invest in a CD player, preferring the idea of a DAC and a streamer. So I started doing some research, and discovered the Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB DAC seemed to be well thought of by Stereophile, I like the idea of a product that does one thing well, and put that on my list. But my Boulder/Elipsa dealer thinks I should get the Belcanto One REF DAC3 vb with ultra Clock instead, she says it's a better choice, and it happens to be a product that she carries (she doesn't carry the Ayre.)
I would be greatful for any comments on any of this equipment, and in particular on the choice between the two DACs, or additional suggestions.
For cables, my dealer is recommending Balanced MusicLink Super, and since I know nothing about cables, a comment on that would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Daniel