DAC's....Ayre versus PS Audio

The Codex might be a better choice.
B

I had one...
like the Qb-9 better...

You can get the QX-5 Twenty for less by eliminating unused inputs. It won't get you to the price level of the DirectStream, but it helps.

QX-5 Base - S/PDIF + AES/EBU $6,950
QX-5 USB - USB + S/PDIF + AES/EBU $7,650
QX-5 Net  - Ethernet + S/PDIF + AES/EBU $8,250
QX-5 Full -  Ethernet + USB + S/PDIF + AES/EBU $8,950

Note that these prices may have changed since September 2017.

I own the QB-9 DSD and a Direct Steam Junior.  Though the Junior isn’t the full fledged DS, it’s pretty darn close.  I also have the Pass XP-20.  It’s a really tough comparison.  I did A/B them, for quite a bit and ended up putting the Ayre in my headphone chain.  Sonically, the DSJ was just a tad bit and I mean tad bit more open.  But, given your post, I will swap them out again later today, and give an update.  Is there any specific song/album that you’d like me to demo...within reason.  I don’t own any classical titles.  I listen to a pretty wide variety, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Led Zep, John Mayer, Miles Davis and own a decent hires collection.  Let me know if there’s something specific you’d like me to demo the comparison with.