What solid state dac is similar to Ayre CX-5e?


I have recently aution a few system on my trip to New York. After comparing a few cd player, I felt Ayre's sonic attributes would suit me the best. I would buy it now if I want a cd player.

My recent experiment with PC audio was a great success and confirmed that PC audio is the way to go. The convinience of PC interface simply make me listen to more music! Therefore, I need a dac instead of a cd player.

My system consists of the following:
Aesthetix Calypso preamp
Art Diavolo amp
Audio Note speakers

I would like to focus my search for a solid state Dac as the few tube dacs (Audio Note, Wavelength, and MHDT )I tried was too much of a good thing in my full tube system.

I really Ayre sound as I thought it was very neutral in a way that no frequency range stand out. I could not detect any noticable charateristics. It is refreshing that all of the cds i play all sound different. Of course, all of the tube units I tried sounded more "beautiful" especially at the dealer's all solid state system.

I hope I have provided enough information for you to make recommendation. My budget would be in the same ball park as the Ayre.
Thanks

Here
kentchai
Some good things to know: are you mac or PC? Do you plan on using USB or optical? Were you buying the ayre new or used, as that changes the price (and it would be helpful to know anyway)?
I am remain open to all options. Imac/itune is my first choice, but I may choose a PC/Jriver to save cost.

It would be really simple if I end up with USB dac. Empirical Off-Ramp or Freeway would be my choice if I choose non-usb dacs.

My budget is about $5K for the Dac.
I would actually keep away from USB as (1) it's inferior and (2) it limits the DACs you can choose from. If you must have USB, you can always get a USB to spdif converter - and still get any DAC you want (I strongly suggest going the firewire route as it is a most noticable improvement). If you can go $5k, see if you can bump it up a bit and give the Esoteric D-05 a listen (+ a few hundred bucks for a usb/spdif converter).