Codex with Codex Cradle

About the Codex with Codex Cradle

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.