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The Ayre Codex is a versatile audio component that functions as a DAC, headphone amplifier, and digital preamplifier. It features a fully balanced signal path throughout its analog circuitry, providing a clean and quiet backdrop for music playback. The zero-feedback design preserves the pace and rhythm of music, delivering a natural and live-like sound experience. It supports USB and Optical (Toslink) inputs, with asynchronous USB transfer mode and compatibility with PCM up to 384 kHz and DSD64/DSD128 formats. The Codex includes multiple headphone outputs (two 3.5mm mini-phone jacks and one ¼” phone jack), with some configurable to balanced mode. It uses Ayre's exclusive Diamond output circuit and a linear analog AyreLock power supply. The unit is compact and lightweight, making it suitable for desktop or home audio setups. Reviews highlight its smooth, warm, and natural sound with excellent detail and soundstage, making it a strong contender as an endgame DAC/amp solution for headphone users. However, it lacks coaxial and AES/EBU inputs, DSD256 support, and MQA decoding. The Codex is manufactured in Boulder, Colorado, and represents Ayre's entry-level digital source component, leveraging technology from their Pono player collaboration.
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Estimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
Components that show up alongside the Codex with Codex Cradle in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The BDA-1's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the Codex with Codex Cradle's 384 kHz, its output voltage 2.3V RMS against 7.0V RMS, and its weight 8.2 kg (18 lbs) against 1.4 kg (3 lbs). Both share bit depth (24-bit).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The NuWave's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the Codex with Codex Cradle's 384 kHz and its output voltage 2.8V RMS against 7.0V RMS. Both share bit depth (24-bit) and dsd support (DSD128).
The QB9's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the Codex with Codex Cradle's 384 kHz, its output voltage 4.0V RMS against 7.0V RMS, and its dsd support DSD64 against DSD128. Both share bit depth (24-bit).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The DAC1's max sample rate is 192 kHz against the Codex with Codex Cradle's 384 kHz, its output voltage 23.0V RMS against 7.0V RMS, and its weight 1.6 kg (4 lbs) against 1.4 kg (3 lbs). Both share bit depth (24-bit).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
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