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