Ayre QB-9 DAC

Perfectly proportioned, the QB-9 is destined to convert your computer into an uncompromised digital library of your favorite music. A simple USB connection engages the Asynchronous transfer mode ensuring accurately timed music with jitter levels over a hundred times lower than previous USB solutions. Our minimum phase digital filter and single-pass 16x oversampling technology release layers of musical resolution—uncovering the emotional soul of your music.

To get the best possible sound from your QB-9 please refer to our computer audio setup page.

“Providing significantly greater performance than any similarly or lower-priced alternative, and undoubtedly one of the best computer-audio DACs now available regardless of price, the QB-9 is a watershed component in this watershed year. It is what it is, nothing more, nothing less: a USB DAC unabashedly focused on making the best possible computer-audio sound for the least amount of money.”
– Pete Roth, Ultra Audio

Asynchronous transfer mode for USB input.

Minimum phase digital filter.

Single-pass 16x oversampling.

zero-feedback, fully-balanced discrete circuitry.

Equilock circuitry for active gain devices.

Ayre Conditioner (patent pending) power-line RFI filter.

AyreLink communication system.

Frequency Response
DC - 20 kHz, ? 0.25 dB

Signal/Noise
110 dB (unweighted)

Output Level
4 volts balanced, 2 volts single-ended

Input
1 USB, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz (up to 24 bits)

Dimensions
8.5"W x 8.875"D x 3"H (21.6cm x 22.5cm x 7.6cm)

Weight
5 pounds (2.25 kg)

"Providing significantly greater performance than any similarly or lower-priced alternative, and undoubtedly one of the best computer-audio DACs now available regardless of price, the QB-9 is a watershed component in this watershed year. It is what it is, nothing more, nothing less: a USB DAC unabashedly focused on making the best possible computer-audio sound for the least amount of money."
Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB Digital-to-Analog Converter
– Peter Roth, Ultra Audio

"The QB-9 asynchronous USB DAC is Ayre's first entry into the USB DAC market. Based on performance Ayre has hit a home run on its first plate appearance."
Ayre Acoustics QB-9 Asynchronous USB DAC Review
– Chris Connaker, Computeraudio.com

"I'm sure the QB-9 isn't Ayre Acoustics' or Gordon Rankin's last thought on getting digits out of computers, but they've set themselves a pretty darn high bar for the future. I can hardly wait."
Ayre Acoustics QB-9 USB DAC
– Wes Phillips, Stereophile