Ayre QB-9DSD User manual

Ayre QB-9DSD
Owner’s Manual
USB Digital-to-Analog Converter

Table of
Contents
Welcome to Ayre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Overview and Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Connections and Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Controls and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Optimization and Customization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Numbers and Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Statement of Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
A Place for Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Welcome to
Ayre
Your Ayre Ayre QB-9DSD offers a significant advance
in the musical performance of high-fidelity
equipment. The warmth and immediacy of a live
performance are apparent from the first listening.
The combination of superb resolution and a natural,
relaxed quality will draw you into the music, time
and time again.
This degree of performance has been implemented
using the highest levels of workmanship and
materials. You can be assured that the Ayre QB-9DSD
will provide you a lifetime of musical enjoyment.
To our North American customers, please be
sure to mail your warranty registration card and
photocopy of your original sales receipt within 30
days in order to extend the warranty to five
years.
2

Overview and
Introduction
The integration of the personal computer (PC) into
the home stereo system has provided a revolutionary
way to purchase, organize, and play your digital
music collection. The Ayre QB-9DSD
digital-to-audio (D/A) converter provides an equally
revolutionary way to play back your music files with
unprecedented fidelity and realism.
Connected via the ubiquitous USB port, the
QB-9DSD generates the master audio clock and
requests the data from the computer at the correct
time for jitter-free playback of your music. Apple
computers can use the standard device driver, while
Windows PCs must install a free download available
from the Ayre website.
The QB-9DSD also utilizes opto-couplers to provide
total electrical isolation for the connections between
your computer and music system. This minimizes
the introduction of unwanted radio-frequency
interference (RFI), generated by all computers.
Avoiding the use of wireless networks (e.g.,
Wi-Fi), by employing wired connections instead,
will reduce RFI levels in your home and results in
improved sound quality for any music system.
3

Connections and
Installation
The Ayre QB-9DSD is easy to connect and use. The
following guidelines will ensure that the installation
goes smoothly.
Analog Outputs
The Ayre QB-9DSD offers both balanced and
single-ended outputs. Balanced connections are
made via XLR connectors, while single-ended
connections are made via RCA connectors.
When you have a choice, a balanced connection
will offer slightly higher sound quality than a
single-ended connection.
USB Input
The USB input uses the squarish “B” type connector
designed for computer peripheral devices. The
rectangular “A” type connector at the other end of
the cable plugs directly into the computer. The
maximum recommended cable length is 10 feet (3
meters). It is not recommended to use extenders or
hubs with the QB-9DSD.
4

AyreLink Ports
The AyreLink communication system provides a
convenient way to control your audio system. There
are two AyreLink ports on the rear panel of the
QB-9DSD D/A converter. Each port contains both an
input and an output. Both ports function identically
and may be used interchangeably.
The linked components may be
joined in any convenient
order.
AyreLink connections are made with commonly
available two-line telephone line cords using
modular (RJ-11) connectors. (These are the cords
that connect the telephone set to the wall in many
countries.) They are readily available in different
lengths and various colors at most electronics stores.
Be sure to use two-line telephone
cords to make AyreLink connections,
identifiable by four gold contacts on
each connector. Single-line cords with
only two gold contacts will not
function in this application.
The linked components should be connected in
daisy-chain fashion, connecting each component to
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another until all of the linked components have
been connected.
When connecting the linked
components to form a chain, be careful
not to connect the two ends of the
chain. Closing the chain to form a loop
will cause the AyreLink system not to
function.
AC Power
The QB-9DSD may be plugged directly into an
unswitched wall outlet. Although proprietary RFI
(radio-frequency interference) filtering is built into
the USB D/A converter, in some situations an AC
power-line filter (such as those offered by Ayre) may
provide additional sonic benefits.
As virtually all computers use switch-mode power
supplies that introduce unwanted RFI on the AC
power line, it may be beneficial to use an AC power
line filter for the computer and its accessories (e.g.,
display monitor), many of which also utilize
switch-mode power supplies.
Break-In
100 to 500 hours of music
played through the system will
ensure full break-in.
Due to the manufacturing processes used for the
printed circuit boards, wires, and capacitors, a
break-in period is necessary for the USB D/A
converter to reach its full performance potential.
6

Configuring the Computer
No matter what operating system (OS) your
computer uses — Apple, Windows, or Linux —
you’ll need to set up your computer to perform
several different tasks:
•Transferring music to your computer’s hard drive,
either by converting the files from your CD
collection, commonly called “ripping”, or by
purchasing files that are downloaded via the
internet.
•Labeling the files you have transferred with the
names of the song, artist, album, et cetera,
commonly called “tagging”. (Downloaded files will
normally already have the “tags” included.)
•Using a music player program to organize your
music collection and play it back.
•Optionally record music selections back onto CDs
for playback in your car or other places, commonly
called “burning”.
•Optionally transfer part of your music collection
to a portable music player.
A few programs can perform all of these functions,
for example iTunes (Apple and Windows), J.River
Media Center (Apple and Windows), and Foobar
(Windows). Some users will prefer to use a
combination of other specialized programs to
perform these functions.
7

An introductory guide to setting up your computer
is available at the Ayre website at:
www.ayre.com/usb.htm
DSD over PCM (DoP)
In addition to the standard method of encoding
audio signals as digital information (PCM, or Pulse
Code Modulation), another system also exists, called
DSD by Sony who used it for their SACD format.
(Technically, it is simply a specific form of PDM or
Pulse Density Modulation.) While it is quite
difficult to transfer (“rip”) SACDs to your computer
for music playback, there are now a few record labels
that sell music file downloads in the DSD format.
Since most computer operating systems will not
directly handle DSD-encoded music files, an
industry consortium has developed a method of
“packetizing” the DSD data as PCM words. This
process is called “DSD over PCM” or DoP, and
requires a music playback application that is
compatible with DoP, as well as a compliant USB
D/A converter, such as the QB-9DSD. The QB-9DSD
will play back DoP files in their native DSD format.
8

Controls and
Operation
There are no controls on the front panel of the
QB-9DSD USB D/A converter. Instead the unit is
controlled by your computer via the USB
connection.
Display
The display has a green “Standby” LED that
indicates that the unit is connected to AC power.
When in standby mode, all critical internal
circuitry remains powered. This ensures optimal
sound quality with a minimum of warm-up time.
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When your computer is powered on, the QB-9DSD
will also enter the “Operate” mode. The display will
indicate “- - -” to show it is ready to receive audio
data. As the music file begins to play, the display
will indicate the sample rate in kHz (e.g., “96”).
When the music file stops, the display will revert to
“- - -”. Turning the computer off will also place the
QB-9DSD back in “Standby” mode.
Other operating modes are also available. Please
refer to the chapter “Optimization and
Customization ” for additional information.
AyreLink
The AyreLink communication system provides
integrated control functions for your audio system.
Linked components will turn on automatically, and
other features are also available.
Operate
When your computer turns on the QB-9DSD D/A
converter, it will in turn automatically turn on all
other linked components that are further down the
signal chain, including the preamplifier and power
amplifier.
A properly configured linked preamplifier will also
automatically switch to the designated input when
the QB-9DSD is turned on.
10

Standby
As the QB-9DSD is controlled by your computer, it
cannot be used to turn off an entire linked system.
Other linked components may be used to turn off
the entire audio system, including the QB-9DSD.
Please refer to the owner’s manual of the other
components utilizing the AyreLink system.
Display Brightness
There is no directly accessible brightness control for
the display on the QB-9DSD. However the display
may be turned off if so desired. Please refer to the
chapter “Optimization and Customization”.
Changing the brightness level on the display of
other linked components will cause a matching
change in all linked components, including the
QB-9DSD D/A converter.
11

Optimization and
Customization
The Ayre QB-9DSD is configured at the factory to
provide the best performance for a typical
installation. In certain situations you may wish to
change the default configuration for optimal
performance in your system, using small toggle
switches on the rear of the unit.
The default configuration settings (all switches in
the “up” position) will work best for the vast
majority of users.
Digital Filter
The digital filter of the Ayre QB-9DSD features two
user-selectable algorithms. A selector switch is
located on the rear panel. One algorithm produces
greater accuracy in the time domain and is labeled
“Listen”. The other algorithm produces greater
accuracy in the frequency domain and is labeled
“Measure”.
Normally the selector switch is set to the “Listen”
position when listening to music. However some
listeners may prefer the additional high-frequency
energy provided by the “Measure” position.
12

Power Mode
The default configuration of the QB-9DSD turns the
D/A converter on when the computer is turned on.
This works well when the computer is primarily
dedicated as a music server. However, in some cases
the computer may be used for a wide variety of tasks
by multiple users.
Setting the small toggle switch to “Power B” will
change the power-on behavior of the QB-9DSD. In
this case, the unit will not leave the “Standby” mode
when the computer is turned on. Instead it will
enter the “Operate” mode when a music player
software application plays a music file.
When the music file has ended, the QB-9DSD will
remain in the “Operate” mode for one minute. This
will allow time to select a different music file if so
desired. After this time (or if the computer is turned
off), the D/A converter will revert to “Standby”
mode.
Display
There are two methods available to control the
operation of the front-panel display. The brightness
may be controlled via the AyreLink communication
system, or the display may be turned off altogether
with a switch on the rear panel.
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Display Brightness
The AyreLink communication system can control
the brightness level of the display on the QB-9DSD.
Changing the brightness level on the display of
other linked components will cause a matching
change in all linked components, including the
QB-9DSD D/A converter.
Display Off
The front panel display of the QB-9DSD may be
turned off if desired. Set the small toggle switch to
“Disp Off”, and only one blue LED will illuminate.
The blue LED will follow the behavior described
under the section “Power Mode” above. When
set to “Power A”, the LED will light when the
computer is turned on. When set to “Power B”,
the LED will light only when the QB-9DSD is
receiving a music signal.
In either power mode, when the D/A converter first
receives an audio signal or when the sample rate
changes, it will display the sample rate of the music
file for two seconds and then revert to the single
blue LED.
USB Audio Input Speed
USB Audio devices may connect to the computer at
two different speeds. The first is known as “Class 1
Audio” and is supported by all operating systems
(e.g., Windows, Mac OS X, Linux). Class 1 Audio
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uses the “Full Speed” mode of USB 1.1 and is
capable of transporting all sample rates up to 96
kHz. To play sample rates higher than 96 kHz
requires “Class 2 Audio”, which uses the USB 2.0
“High Speed” mode to transport data at higher rates
as long as the operating system also supports Class 2
Audio.
For Mac, this requires OS X version 10.6.4 or
higher. None of the Windows operating systems
supports “High Speed” mode for audio via the USB
ports. Ayre has made available a custom USB driver
that is compatible with Windows XP, Service Pack
2 and later. Please refer to the Ayre website to
download the required file and also additional
instructions to play sample rates beyond 96 kHz:
www.ayre.com/usb.htm
The QB-9DSD will first attempt to connect to the
computer via the High Speed USB mode with Class
2 Audio. If the computer does not include USB 2.0
connectors, the QB-9DSD will “fall back” to Full
Speed USB with Class 1 Audio and be limited to
96/24 files. (DoP files require High Speed USB.)
Earlier “non-DSD” units require manual speed
configuration. Setting the rear panel toggle switch
“up” to “Rsrv A” selects Full Speed USB with Class
1 Audio, while setting the switch “down” to “Rsrv
B” selects High Speed USB with Class 2 Audio,
required for sample rates beyond 96 kHz. However
the operating system must also support Class 2
Audio either with its native USB Audio drivers or
by installing the add-on driver for Windows.
15

Numbers and
Specifications
USB Audio Input Signal 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz
16, 20, and 24 bits
Maximum Output Level 4.00 V rms – balanced outputs
2.00 V rms – single-ended outputs
Analog XLR Output Polarity Pin 1 = Ground
Pin 2 = Non-inverting (Positive)
Pin 3 = Inverting (Negative)
Frequency Response DC - 20 kHz (44.1 kHz sample rate)
DC - 22 kHz (48 kHz sample rate)
DC - 40 kHz (88.2 kHz sample rate)
DC - 44 kHz (96 kHz sample rate)
DC - 80 kHz (176.4 kHz sample rate)
DC - 88 kHz (192 kHz sample rate)
DC - 80 kHz (2.8224 MHz sample rate – DoP )
Power Consumption 20 watts
Dimensions 8-½" W x 11-½" D x 3" H
21.5 cm x 29 cm x 7.5 cm
Weight 5 pounds
2.3 kg
16

Statement of
Warranty
North American Warranty
Your Ayre QB-9DSD USB D/A converter is warranted
against defects in workmanship and materials for a
period of ninety days from the date of original
purchase. This ninety-day coverage is automatic
upon acceptance of delivery and no registration is
required.
Additionally you have the option, at no cost, to
extend the warranty for a period of five years from
the date of purchase by returning the completed
Warranty Registration Card and a photocopy of
your original purchase receipt in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope to Ayre within thirty days of
product delivery. This optional warranty is only
available within the thirty-day registration period.
17

North American Warranty Statement
1. If any defects are found in the materials or
workmanship of this Ayre product within the
warranty period, the unit will be repaired or
replaced by Ayre Acoustics, Inc. (Ayre) or its
authorized agent.
2. Purchaser must return the product, packed in the
original shipping carton, freight prepaid to:
Ayre Acoustics, Inc.
2300-B Central Avenue
Boulder, Colorado 80301
or to Ayre’s authorized agent. The product must be
accompanied by a written description of the defect
and a photocopy of your original purchase receipt.
Ayre will not be responsible for any shipping
damage and strongly recommends the purchase of
shipping insurance.
3. Ayre reserves the right to inspect any product
that is the subject of any warranty claim prior to
repairing or replacing it. Final determination of
warranty coverage lies solely with Ayre.
Out-of-warranty claims will be billed for labor,
materials, return freight, and insurance as required.
Any product for which a warranty claim is accepted
will be returned to the purchaser and the cost of
shipping and insurance will be factory prepaid
within the boundaries of the USA. Units to be
shipped outside of the USA will be shipped freight
collect only.
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