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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Welcome to Ayre DSD Your Ayre Ayre QB-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 DSD materials.
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 DSD 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.
Connections and Installation DSD The Ayre QB-9 is easy to connect and use. The following guidelines will ensure that the installation goes smoothly. Analog Outputs DSD The Ayre QB-9 offers both balanced and single-ended outputs. Balanced connections are made via XLR connectors, while single-ended connections are made via RCA connectors. When you have a choice, a balanced connection will offer slightly higher sound quality than a single-ended connection.
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 D/A converter. Each port contains both an input and an output. Both ports function identically and may be used interchangeably. 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.
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 DSD The QB-9 may be plugged directly into an unswitched wall outlet.
Configuring the Computer No matter what operating system (OS) your computer uses — Apple, Windows, or Linux — you’ll need to set up your computer to perform several different tasks: • Transferring music to your computer’s hard drive, either by converting the files from your CD collection, commonly called “ripping”, or by purchasing files that are downloaded via the internet. • Labeling the files you have transferred with the names of the song, artist, album, et cetera, commonly called “tagging”.
An introductory guide to setting up your computer is available at the Ayre website at: www.ayre.com/usb.htm DSD over PCM (DoP) In addition to the standard method of encoding audio signals as digital information (PCM, or Pulse Code Modulation), another system also exists, called DSD by Sony who used it for their SACD format. (Technically, it is simply a specific form of PDM or Pulse Density Modulation.
Controls and Operation There are no controls on the front panel of the DSD QB-9 USB D/A converter. Instead the unit is controlled by your computer via the USB connection. Display The display has a green “Standby” LED that indicates that the unit is connected to AC power. When in standby mode, all critical internal circuitry remains powered. This ensures optimal sound quality with a minimum of warm-up time.
DSD When your computer is powered on, the QB-9 will also enter the “Operate” mode. The display will indicate “- - -” to show it is ready to receive audio data. As the music file begins to play, the display will indicate the sample rate in kHz (e.g., “96”). When the music file stops, the display will revert to “- - -”. Turning the computer off will also place the DSD QB-9 back in “Standby” mode. Other operating modes are also available.
Standby DSD As the QB-9 is controlled by your computer, it cannot be used to turn off an entire linked system. Other linked components may be used to turn off DSD the entire audio system, including the QB-9 . Please refer to the owner’s manual of the other components utilizing the AyreLink system. Display Brightness There is no directly accessible brightness control for DSD the display on the QB-9 . However the display may be turned off if so desired.
Optimization and Customization DSD The Ayre QB-9 is configured at the factory to provide the best performance for a typical installation. In certain situations you may wish to change the default configuration for optimal performance in your system, using small toggle switches on the rear of the unit. The default configuration settings (all switches in the “up” position) will work best for the vast majority of users.
Power Mode DSD The default configuration of the QB-9 turns the D/A converter on when the computer is turned on. This works well when the computer is primarily dedicated as a music server. However, in some cases the computer may be used for a wide variety of tasks by multiple users. Setting the small toggle switch to “Power B” will DSD change the power-on behavior of the QB-9 . In this case, the unit will not leave the “Standby” mode when the computer is turned on.
Display Brightness The AyreLink communication system can control DSD the brightness level of the display on the QB-9 . Changing the brightness level on the display of other linked components will cause a matching change in all linked components, including the DSD QB-9 D/A converter. Display Off DSD The front panel display of the QB-9 may be turned off if desired. Set the small toggle switch to “Disp Off”, and only one blue LED will illuminate.
uses the “Full Speed” mode of USB 1.1 and is capable of transporting all sample rates up to 96 kHz. To play sample rates higher than 96 kHz requires “Class 2 Audio”, which uses the USB 2.0 “High Speed” mode to transport data at higher rates as long as the operating system also supports Class 2 Audio. For Mac, this requires OS X version 10.6.4 or higher. None of the Windows operating systems supports “High Speed” mode for audio via the USB ports.
Numbers and Specifications USB Audio Input Signal Maximum Output Level Analog XLR Output Polarity 4.00 V rms – balanced outputs 2.00 V rms – single-ended outputs Pin 1 = Ground Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive) Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative) Frequency Response DC - 20 kHz (44.1 kHz sample rate) DC - 22 kHz (48 kHz sample rate) DC - 40 kHz (88.2 kHz sample rate) DC - 44 kHz (96 kHz sample rate) DC - 80 kHz (176.4 kHz sample rate) DC - 88 kHz (192 kHz sample rate) DC - 80 kHz (2.
Statement of Warranty North American Warranty DSD Your Ayre QB-9 USB D/A converter is warranted against defects in workmanship and materials for a period of ninety days from the date of original purchase. This ninety-day coverage is automatic upon acceptance of delivery and no registration is required.
North American Warranty Statement 1. If any defects are found in the materials or workmanship of this Ayre product within the warranty period, the unit will be repaired or replaced by Ayre Acoustics, Inc. (Ayre) or its authorized agent. 2. Purchaser must return the product, packed in the original shipping carton, freight prepaid to: Ayre Acoustics, Inc. 2300-B Central Avenue Boulder, Colorado 80301 or to Ayre’s authorized agent.
4. Ayre strives to manufacture the finest possible equipment, and therefore reserves the right to make improvements on its products, without necessarily assuming any obligation to retrofit such changes upon its previously manufactured models. 5. The above warranty is the sole warranty given by Ayre, and is in lieu of all other warranties. All implied warranties, including warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose shall be strictly limited to the duration of the above warranty.
A Place for Notes 20 Serial Number: ________________________________________ Purchase Date: ________________________________________ Dealer: ________________________________________ Salesperson: ________________________________________ Rev. 2.
Ayre Acoustics, Inc. 2300-B Central Avenue Boulder, Colorado 80301 www.ayre.
