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Replace Ayre Codex with Topping D90 DAC

My Ayre Codex takes USB from an ultraRendu and sends balanced analog to an Ayre A7e integrated that drives KEF LS50s.  The sound level has become nearly inaudible, and I suspect it's a problem with the Codex -- substituting a microRendu made no difference; the sound level with the Ayre C-5xeMP disc player is fine.  Should I send the Codex to Ayre for service or buy a Topping D90?  Anyone hear the two DACs?
dbphd

Showing 2 responses by furiouslyadrift

furiouslyadrift
42 posts
 
I’m in the “any distortion is just noise” camp. For DAC chips, I tend to favor AKM for their VelvetSound profile (no ESS distortion hump) and the AK4499 truly is an excellent implantation. It’s AKMs first current drive chip and it’s a huge step up. It’s also a pain to implement into a functional DAC. They really nailed it with this chip. 
furiouslyadrift
42 posts
 
I love Ayre but the D90 is an insanely good DAC. The AK4499 chip is the best Chip on the market and the D90 is, so far, the best implementation. It will, however, hide absolutely nothing from you. If the recording has flaws, you’ll hear ever one of them crystal clear. 
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