Anyone compare Ayre Codex to QB-9 Twenty?

The upgrade from the QB-9 to QB-9 20 is sonically substantial and as I remember is basically the complete replacement of the case. I got the QB-9 around 2015 and upgraded around 2020. Well worth it. The QB-9 20 gets use every day as a part of my headphone system.

I loved what my Codex could do especially in its price range.  I did have a friend with the QB-9 DSD and it was a slightly better DAC when we substituted it into my system.  Smoother in presentation with a slightly more defined separation of instruments if I remember correctly. I ultimately upgraded to the Ayre QX-5/20 that was a substantial improvement in presentation across the board.  I have not heard the QB-9 20 but the upgradability would make me lean toward the QB-9 if I was looking to purchase today.  Enjoy it for a while then have the factory elevate it with the “20” upgrade. Ayre’s customer support was always excellent. 

I had an upgraded QB-9 for many years, it’s still an excellent DAC.  Very tough to beat at its price point.

The TWENTY upgrade is significant on the QB-9 and also on other Ayre products. 

Great question.  Maybe 10 years ago after having a several sub-$1K dacs, I purchased an Ayre QB-9.  I had a large collection of vinyl with a SOTA Sapphire vacuum platter, a rare SAEC tone arm and a Dynavector 20X2 (?) when I got the Ayre Dac.  Within a week, I sold my analogue rig and never looked back.  I upgraded to the Codex which was totally a sideways move and had fiddly mode changes.  I then got an Aqua La Voce dac which might have been a modest improvement in SQ, but only slightly.   

There are a boatload of stellar dacs available these days, but the QB-9 caused a monument shift in my listening experience and lead me to abandon vinyl and remains in my memory the most significant piece of gear I owned in nearly 50 years of listen.  Just my take.