Ayre QB-9DSD Owner Manual

Ayre QB-9

DSD

Owner’s Manual

USB Digital-to-Analog Converter

Table of

Contents

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

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

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

Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Optimization and Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Welcome to

Ayre

Your Ayre Ayre QB-9 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 QB-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.

DSD

offers a significant advance

DSD

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 QB-9 digital-to-audio (D/A) converter provides an equally revolutionary way to play back your music files with unprecedented fidelity and realism.

Connected via the ubiquitous USB port, the

DSD

QB-9 requests the data from the computer at the correct time for jitter-free playback of your music. Apple computers can use the standard device driver, while Windows PCs must install a free download available from the Ayre website.

generates the master audio clock and

DSD

The QB-9 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.

also utilizes opto-couplers to provide

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.

Connections and

Installation

The Ayre QB-9 following guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly.

DSD

is easy to connect and use. The

Analog Outputs

The Ayre QB-9 single-ended outputs. Balanced connections are made via XLR connectors, while single-ended connections are made via RCA connectors.

DSD

offers both balanced and

When you have a choice, a balanced connection will offer slightly higher sound quality than a single-ended connection.

USB Input

The USB input uses the squarish “B” type connector designed for computer peripheral devices. The rectangular “A” type connector at the other end of the cable plugs directly into the computer. The maximum recommended cable length is 10 feet (3 meters). It is not recommended to use extenders or hubs with the QB-9

DSD

AyreLink Ports

The AyreLink communication system provides a convenient way to control your audio system. There are two AyreLink ports on the rear panel of the

DSD

QB-9 input and an output. Both ports function identically and may be used interchangeably.

D/A converter. Each port contains both an

The linked components may be

joined in any convenient

order.

AyreLink connections are made with commonly available two-line telephone line cords using modular (RJ-11) connectors. (These are the cords that connect the telephone set to the wall in many countries.) They are readily available in different lengths and various colors at most electronics stores.

Be sure to use two-line telephone cords to make AyreLink connections, identifiable by four gold contacts on each connector. Single-line cords with only two gold contacts will not function in this application.

The linked components should be connected in daisy-chain fashion, connecting each component to

another until all of the linked components have been connected.

When connecting the linked components to form a chain, be careful not to connect the two ends of the chain. Closing the chain to form a loop will cause the AyreLink system not to function.

AC Power

100 to 500 hours of music

played through the system will

ensure full break-in.

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

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.

DSD

may be plugged directly into an

Break-In

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

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