SMW - I haven't listened to the Ayon players and have only read about the PS audio perfect wave DAC. I have auditioned the Electro EMC and this is a warmer sounding player (vs. traditional digital sound). I had been tempted by this player and would agree that for those looking for the addition of some "warmth" that this would be a good audition/consideration. I have listened to this at about the same time I listened to a Lector and to be honest, due to time and neither in my system, I have a difficult time differentiating which was which. I think both are worth a listen and I also think both can be had at pretty decent prices used. This opens the possibility to buy and re-sell for little to no loss if done carefully.
My recollection about these players was that they were warmer, slightly less detailed. Bass reproduction gave the impression of being a bit looser, but not flabby. Nice midrange and female vocal reproduction with what seemed like somewhat rolled of highs (which I think is common for "warm" leaning players).
Now it should be noted that I am not a fan of warm sounding players over the long term as I am of the opinion that if I want to warm things up, I'd rather do it later in the chain. Since I generally prefer detailed and neutral versus forgiving and warm, I usually find that a copper or certain type of IC or SC is a better means for me.
I also have a tough time categorizing something as sounding "analog", which in my mind has its own pros and cons (I associate analog with records and the weakness of that medium - ie. noise/distortion/etc).
I am a little bit skeptical of PS Audio, I get the sense that they are a little bit gimmicky. I own their power generation and "filtering" components but have not honestly listened to any of their other stuff to offer any impression at all. My gimicky comment is maybe undeserved. It also concerns me that their dealers seem to be selling stuff one year after its introduced for 50% off, meaning to me that its used value is only about 25% of new list price!
I would read carefully the reviews on the Ayon stuff herein and I would be real interested to contact people that made ownership comments of some time prior and then to contact them outside of the posting to see if they still own this stuff or whether posts were made out of pride vs. reality. I think the "main" dealer for this stuff is a good marketer - take that for what it's worth.
On a final note, there are a couple of internet professional "review" sites, which I won't bother to name. I find their reviews even more questionable than the paper rags. Having actually purchased an item directly from the review process of one of these reviewers. The item arrived to me, after receiving a glowing review. The item didn't function properly and the mfg. said it was defective and the defect could not have had anything to do with shipping damages. Yet this defective product, which sounded awful to me in 5 minutes got a glowing review from the internet-only professional reviewer!
My recollection about these players was that they were warmer, slightly less detailed. Bass reproduction gave the impression of being a bit looser, but not flabby. Nice midrange and female vocal reproduction with what seemed like somewhat rolled of highs (which I think is common for "warm" leaning players).
Now it should be noted that I am not a fan of warm sounding players over the long term as I am of the opinion that if I want to warm things up, I'd rather do it later in the chain. Since I generally prefer detailed and neutral versus forgiving and warm, I usually find that a copper or certain type of IC or SC is a better means for me.
I also have a tough time categorizing something as sounding "analog", which in my mind has its own pros and cons (I associate analog with records and the weakness of that medium - ie. noise/distortion/etc).
I am a little bit skeptical of PS Audio, I get the sense that they are a little bit gimmicky. I own their power generation and "filtering" components but have not honestly listened to any of their other stuff to offer any impression at all. My gimicky comment is maybe undeserved. It also concerns me that their dealers seem to be selling stuff one year after its introduced for 50% off, meaning to me that its used value is only about 25% of new list price!
I would read carefully the reviews on the Ayon stuff herein and I would be real interested to contact people that made ownership comments of some time prior and then to contact them outside of the posting to see if they still own this stuff or whether posts were made out of pride vs. reality. I think the "main" dealer for this stuff is a good marketer - take that for what it's worth.
On a final note, there are a couple of internet professional "review" sites, which I won't bother to name. I find their reviews even more questionable than the paper rags. Having actually purchased an item directly from the review process of one of these reviewers. The item arrived to me, after receiving a glowing review. The item didn't function properly and the mfg. said it was defective and the defect could not have had anything to do with shipping damages. Yet this defective product, which sounded awful to me in 5 minutes got a glowing review from the internet-only professional reviewer!