Ayre QA-9 Owner Manual

Ayre QA-9

Owner’s Manual

Analog-to-Digital Converter

Table of

Contents

Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Overview and Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Optimization and Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Welcome to

Ayre

Your Ayre QA-9 offers a significant advance in the
musical performance of high-fidelity equipment.
The warmth and immediacy of a live performance
are apparent from the first listening. The
combination of superb resolution and a natural,
relaxed quality will draw you into the music, time
and time again.

This degree of performance has been implemented
using the highest levels of workmanship and
materials. You can be assured that the Ayre QA-9
will provide you a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

To our North American customers, please be
sure to mail your warranty registration card and
photocopy of your original sales receipt within 30
days in order to extend the warranty to five
years.

2

Overview and

Introduction

The integration of the personal computer (PC) into
the home stereo system has provided a revolutionary
way to purchase, organize, and play your digital
music collection. The Ayre QA-9 analog-to-digital
(A/D) converter provides an equally revolutionary
way to store and play back your analog music via
your PC with unprecedented fidelity and realism.

The QA-9 is available in two versions, both covered
in this manual. The standard version include both
USB and AES/EBU digital outputs and will meet
the requirements of virtually all users. The Pro
version adds both DSD and word clock outputs for
simplified use in a professional studio environment.

The QA-9 utilizes opto-couplers to provide total
electrical isolation for the connections between your
computer and music system. This minimizes the
introduction of unwanted radio-frequency
interference (RFI), generated by all computers.

Avoiding the use of wireless networks (e.g.,
Wi-Fi), by employing wired connections instead,
will reduce RFI levels in your home and results in
improved sound quality for any music system.

3

Connections and

Installation

The Ayre QA-9 is easy to connect and use. The
following guidelines will ensure that the installation
goes smoothly.

Analog Inputs

The Ayre QA-9 offers balanced inputs. Balanced
connections are made via three-pin XLR connectors.

High quality singled-ended-to-balanced adapters
are included for single-ended analog sources.

USB Output

Connection via the USB

output simplifies operation, as

many of the converter settings

can be adjusted with your

computer’s software.

4

The USB output uses the squarish “B” type
connector designed for computer peripheral devices.
The rectangular “A” type connector at the other end
of the cable is designed to plug directly into the
computer itself.

The USB 2.0 standard specifies a maximum cable
length of 16 feet (5 meters); It is not recommended
to use extenders or hubs with the QA-9.

AES/EBU Output

In the case that a USB connection is not available,
the QA-9 also incorporates an AES/EBU output for
compatibility with other systems. One advantage of
the AES/EBU output is that connecting cables in
excess of 300 feet (100 meters) may be used.

Your local Ayre dealer can supply high-quality
balanced-to-single-ended digital adapters if your
system does not accept a balanced XLR digital
connection.

When the USB output is active, the
AES/EBU output is disabled.

DSD Output (QA-9 Pro only)

The Ayre QA-9 Pro also offers conversion to digital
using Sony’s single-bit DSD system. Two DSD
interface formats are available to ensure
compatibility with the widest range of equipment,
SDIF-2 (DSD-Raw) and SDIF-3. Both use three
transformer-isolated 75
Clock, Bit Clock, Left Data, Right Data).

Ω BNC connectors (Word

5

Word Clock Outputs (QA-9 Pro only)

Digital studio equipment with word clock inputs
can be slaved to the QA-9 Pro with 75

Ω coaxial

cable(s). The transformer-isolated BNC connectors
present TTL-level signals derived directly from the
ultra-low jitter master clock inside the converter.

There are no standards for external
word clock signals. Contact Ayre for
support with compatibility.

AC Power

The QA-9 may be plugged directly into an
unswitched wall outlet. Although proprietary RFI
(radio-frequency interference) filtering is built into
the QA-9 A/D, in some situations an AC power-line
filter (such as those offered by Ayre) may provide
additional sonic benefits.

100 to 500 hours of music

played through the system will

ensure full break-in.

6

As virtually all computers use switch-mode power
supplies that introduce unwanted RFI on the AC
power line, it may be beneficial to use an AC
power line filter for the computer and its
accessories (e.g., display monitor), many of which
also utilize switch-mode power supplies.

Break-In

Due to the manufacturing processes used for the
printed circuit boards, wires, and capacitors, a
break-in period is necessary for the QA-9 A/D
converter to reach its full performance potential.