Chord Qutest

hmm Dave first ; scaler later ; if you can afford both get both... 

Blackbierd, 
Can your dealer give you a demonstration comparing the Qutest/M Scaler to the Chord Dave DAC , or at least his opinion?

The M Scaler will make a big difference with any of the Chord DACs. If you go with the Dave , you could always get the M Scaler later on.

Filters are SOFTWARE logic code in the FPGA, why/how on earth do they require break-in? 

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.

@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.
 

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

It's great that you've found a way to make the dac work for you. It seems like everybody loves ROON.
   My only advice is to audition different cables, many online dealers have trial periods.

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
 

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?

Oops:

you change the 4 filters manually.
sampling rate colors change automatically

It changes by sampling rate

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?

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

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?

I agree with ricred1.  I have a Chord Dave and found that it is very sensitive to power cords.

It's my understanding that Chord DACs are sensitive to power cords.

I'm sure you are experiencing break-in. I owned a Chord Qute EX and it was one of the smoothest and organic sounding DACs I've heard for under $2000.
  Keep music or a break-in disk running thru it for about a week.