is ayre qb-9 dac better than cx7e mp?

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In my system, my QB-9 is better than my C5xeMP.

And it's outperformed other CX5s & CS7s (and for that matter - every CDP regardless of cost) on various locations where I was voicing a system.

I believe (not stated as fact, just opinion) that much of this is so system dependent - cables, computers, optimization of computer & files, music players, etc.

So I'm not sure if any of our opinions count for much except how the components worked in THAT system.
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My QB-9 edged out my C=5xeMP. In my system, in my room. Others may have different views.
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If the QB-9 loses out to the C5, it's a possibility that the computer system wasn't fully performing.

I'm not saying that it wasn't - but it is a possibility.

It took awhile before I got my MBP and QB-9 to move beyond the C5's performance.

It wasn't the equipment in my case, it was the learning curve that I had to climb.

So I am not sure they can be directly compared as there are so many variables - it's not simply one or the other - at least it wasn't for me.