C-5xe through outboard DAC?

I have never tried an outboard DAC but I can tell you that the new upgrade soon to be available sounds much better. My dealer just got his back and we did an AB and I am now waiting in line to have mine done. They are doing all the dealers first and then Ayre will announce a price for the upgrade. My impression is a much more analog sound and I think a bigger sound stage as well.

Charles just posed the Ayre MP (Minimum Phase) White Paper .

"The Ayre MP filter provides a significant step ahead in digital audio reproduction. The CX-7eMP provides this advanced technology for CDs, while the C-5xeMP universal disc player takes this to the limit of today’s recording technology..."

I will be upgrading my CX-7e as soon as I can. I love it the way it is. I can't imagine it can get better, so I'm excited to hear the new digital filtering.

Thanks for addressing this topic. I was looking for the information regarding the same Upsers.

I wouldn’t mess with it, but a QB-9 DSD might provide slightly better sound. Someone at Ayre once told me that the order of audio merit was the C-5exMP, DX-5 DSD, then QX-5 Twenty. I think the QB-9 DSD is nestled close to the QX-5. My experience is that balanced in and out is important with Ayre stuff. I use balanced from my C-5xeMP to an A7e integrated, USB from an ultraRendu through a QB-9 DSD then balanced to the A7e.

My primary setup is ethernet to a QX-5 Twenty, then balanced through an Ayre preamp and amp.

db