Chord Qutest
I'm interested in the Qutest too. I don't quite understand the discussion of power cables. I thought it had a micro USB power supply. There has been discussion of using upgraded power supplies, but the company is emphatic, that they will not help performance. Has the performance improved with time running in Jeff? |
Dave, 1) Qutest runs on wall wart . No power cables 2) It appears there is minor breakin... It still sounds very forward and extremely detailed, but When running Tidal as only app , the Qutest is running native 44/16 It is very forward and incisively detailed, very good bass & superb soundstage It makes the really well recorded stuff sound superlative It makes the 80's rock that is compressed sound "ouch incisively bright" and forward The orange or red filter takes a bit of transient edge off and still sounds natural It makes the great recordings much better, but the poor recording much worse. I have had a recent revelation, as I purchased Roon and all its up sampling , filters and DSP When running DSD128 up sampling & Smooth-linear filter the Qutest is very, very smooth and more rounded like SACD with all the details The difference between up sampled Pcm & DSD is super apparent Pcm is way more incisive and detail oriented where the DSD is smoother, detailed and not as forward and all the crappy stuff sounds really good Sorry for the confusing description, but it appears to be a tale of 2 sound profiles when using up sampling Anyway, I've listened to 4 Dac's in my system Playback Designs Merlot DSD ( my top choice) Really nice bass & as close to analog as I've heard Chord Qutest ( when running DSD,close to merlot) Exogal Comet ( 2nd choice) Meridian Explorer2. Warm and nice ,but short on details If You are running a highly resolving speaker the Qutest might be to much , when running PCM. I have a definite taste bias towards DSD . I'm keeping it running DSD , but if I could run only pcm, I'd send it back So, Take my opinion with grain of salt Jeff |
My take on the earlier QuteEX model is that the presentation was forward. In fact, that's why I sold it; I like a mid-hall experience for classical music. But, I must say music sounded so smooth and natural. Doesn't the blue light and red light/filter change automatically depending on sampling rate? Or can you change it manually? |
OK, so there is much more flexibility with the Qutest over previous models. I've read that each filter on a DAC needs break-in time. How many hours are on your unit now? I'd guess you should go for 200 hrs. on each filter that you use. This review is in agreement with you regarding the playback of poor quality digital. This DAC seems to be very revealing. https://www.avforums.com/review/chord-electronics-qutest-dac-review.15073 So, you've been using Tidal/Roon as your source. Have you tried any other sources such as CD or downloads? Trying a source using S/PDIF would be a good experiment. I'm guessing you're using USB out from a PC; have you tried different cables? IME, different cable designs can change sonics dramatically. If USB, are you using some type of noise reduction, such as an i Purifier? |
Low, I've run Amarra and JRiver as source. Both are not nearly as good as Roon in sound quality. I'm suprised at difference especially when using a parametic equalizer and Upsampling The Roon is so much more delicate and refined in its sound. I've used all the chord filters and they do change the sound with out interfering in the sound........making it muddy and thick The incisive neutral really defines the transients........... I use the red filter. I do not think there is much break-in It sounds the same, new or old Anyway, I'm keeping the DAC & using ROON at dsd128. This setting makes all the poor recording pretty gosh darn good AND good stuff really good Oh, I' m using a Mac Mini as source pcm is really incisive and sharp. I bet the pcm would impart a dull/warm system lots of details and make it sound great a resolving system would be over top...sharp I'm happy running Dsd128 with the Qutest and keeping the dac. FYI, The Playback Designs Merlot was the best DAC I've listened to, but $6500 I'm quickly becoming a fan of DSD playback and its associated big bass, smoother & detailed highs vs PCM and all it incisive edge portrayal The better the dac the sharper the edges, therefore poor stuff sounds like scraping glass to me. Anyway, My thoughts jeff go Brewers |
Low: Yes, Roon is surprisingly good vs the others. what system and dac are you running? cables & power stuff are important. I changed the chord wall wart from my cheap power strip to VH audio's Furutech Hot Box and sound did change signals clay for the better. IC Cables are next on my list along with a turntable. Jeff |
@frozentundra , I've been thru a few DACs since the Chord. I now have an Audio Note 2.1 Signature...love it. I still play CDs since I have a very large collection, mostly classical. I stopped playing audio files from my Mac due to the fact that Audio Note doesn't use USB, it's an option. Crazy, right? I researched streamers and will be purchasing the Bluesound Node 2i. I'll do the 30 day trials and I'll also be able to stream from my Mac. |
Oh yeah, cables are very important. My Dac and PS Audio transport do well with Audience PC's; low noise floor, wide and deep soundstage. I have a small Audience power conditioner for digital and a Blue Circle for analogue. Currently using a Cerious Technologies SPDIF coax. Very good move getting the Hot Box. |
