Ayre QX-8 Digital Hub / Streaming DAC / Headphone Amplifier

QX-8

The QX-8 Digital Hub provides a total solution for state-of-the-art digital music reproduction. An Ethernet cable, USB source, or most any digital component connected to the QX-8 will allow you to enjoy a vast digital music library. You can also simply plug-in your favourite set of headphones and enjoy a musical experience that invigorates your soul. Built around Ayre’s exclusive innovations, the Ayre QX-8 includes fully-balanced, zero-feedback (real-time) circuitry throughout for natural musicality.

The QX-8’s modularity makes it amazingly versatile. Featuring up to eight digital inputs (Ethernet, USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF (2), and Toslink (3) ) it’s prepared to be the digital hub for most any system. With the Ethernet module installed, it is Roon-ready and pre-configured to stream Spotify, Qobuz, and Tidal. The QX-8 will integrate into virtually any home system today and is designed to be upgradeable for inevitable future technologies.

The QX-8 also allows you to immerse yourself in music with your favourite headphones. Taking full advantage of the robust Ayre analogue linear power supply, both balanced and unbalanced front panel connectors–driven by Ayre’s exclusive Diamond amplifier circuit–will effortlessly drive the most demanding headphones, allowing music to flow effortlessly into your life. The QX-8 delivers Ayre’s latest innovations in a single chassis, giving you authentic music, at an unexpected price.

Key Features

• Zero-feedback, fully-balanced discrete circuitry
• Ayre’s Asynchronous S/PDIF input
• ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip
• Ayre custom digital clock
• Ayre’s Minimum Phase digital filter
• Single-pass 16x oversampling
• Ayre’s Diamond output stage
• Ayre’s exclusive Equilock gain stage
• Linear analogue power supply
• High-speed circuit board material
• Up to eight digital inputs: Ethernet, Asynchronous USB, AES/EBU, S/PDIF (2), Optical (3)
• AyreLink communication system