Anyone else still waiting on the Ayre QB-9 upgrade?

[caphun78]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm still waiting for an upgrade of my old QB-9 to the DSD 24/192 version of the QB-9. Whenever I call the authorised dealer in Germany, Sun Audio, I get "call back in a couple months", which has been going on for two years now. I guess Ayre is busy making Pono components. It's frustrating, to the point where I'm considering other brands, since there are so many interesting alternatives coming out, but I don't want to give up that Ayre sound.

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

Edward

[machtdochnischt]

Hi Edward,

 

same here: I bought my 'old' QB-9 in 2011. Have been trying to get through to anyone at Sun Audio or Ayre HQ regarding the upgrade, but I have not yet been able to invoke any kind of response, none at all. Went for email, the contact form, tried to call them... nothing... not even a 'call back in a couple months'. But I am still determined to somehow get my upgrade...

 

Cheers,

Roman

[Doak]

Wow,, not at all attractive.

[DavT]

Have you tried contacting Ayre directly through e-mail? They are usually very responsive to customers. This does not seem consistent with Ayre customer service.

[TubeLover]

Have you tried contacting Ayre directly through e-mail? They are usually very responsive to customers. This does not seem consistent with Ayre customer service.

 

Agreed. Give e-mail a try. This is very unlike Ayre in my experience.

 

JC

[Ultrarunner]

Ayre has been the most responsive and helpful audio company I have ever dealt with. Call Michael.

[Doak]

The question is and remains: Is Ayre "responsive" in the sense that they can and do upgrade customer QB9 in an effective and timely manner?

 

Yes or no?

[caphun78]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I contacted Ayre directly using the contact form on their website. I'll post the results.

[machtdochnischt]

I am very interested in your results... As I said, I have been trying to contact Ayre directly as well as Sun Audio via various different means and there was no reply whatsoever. The only way that is left for me to try is to call them in Boulder...

[beetlemania]

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I contacted Ayre directly using the contact form on their website. I'll post the results.

If I recall correctly, I read a post from Charles Hansen (either here or on Audioasylum) that the non-US dealers do their own upgrades in-house rather than ship the unit back to Colorado. If you live in Germany, I suspect this is on Sun Audio rather than Ayre, directly. Nevertheless, Ayre should know their German dealer is very slow! They may be able to contact Sun Audio on your behalf?

 

Regardless, I hope you get this worked out. The DSD upgrade is fabulous and well worth it but I can imagine your frustration at having to wait so long.

[chopper87]

I definately feel empathy for your situation. I waited 8 months to have my QB9 upgraded to DSD. And I am in florida USA.

 

I got frustrated and now have an Auralic Vega, Metrum Hex and my Ayre QB9-DSD on hand.

 

Lance A.

[caphun78]

If I recall correctly, I read a post from Charles Hansen (either here or on Audioasylum) that the non-US dealers do their own upgrades in-house rather than ship the unit back to Colorado. If you live in Germany, I suspect this is on Sun Audio rather than Ayre, directly. Nevertheless, Ayre should know their German dealer is very slow! They may be able to contact Sun Audio on your behalf?

 

That's also my understanding. However, the guy from the German dealer said that Ayre can't deliver enough upgrade kits to meet the demand, i.e. the bottleneck is at Ayre, not at the German dealer. Humm, not sure what to believe.

[Ultrarunner]

That's also my understanding. However, the guy from the German dealer said that Ayre can't deliver enough upgrade kits to meet the demand, i.e. the bottleneck is at Ayre, not at the German dealer. Humm, not sure what to believe.

 

I suspect both. I had to wait a while before they were ready to do my upgrade but I thought it was because mine was a DX-5. Maybe they haven't caught up on the QB-9's either. By "responsive" I meant they would always get back to me promptly and answered my questions and concerns.

[caphun78]

Still no reply from Ayre to an email sent Jan. 20. Humm, kind of disappointing, especially since I love their products so much. Guess I'll try calling them or contacting the German dealer again.