DAC upgrade

Just installed the Qutest. Sounds wonderful, clarity throughout the range, dynamic with great soundstage. Similar sound signature to my MM2, but with clarity throughout the range. Looking forward to it being fully broken in (used, but only 12-15 hours on it). Another benefit is CD quality streaming from Qobuz also sounds great. With my MM2, only HR sounded ok, CD quality was less than OK. 

Might not need a new streamer after all. 😎

Question for Qutest users. What filter setting do you prefer? I am using flat with rolloff after 20mHz. 

Anyone using the supplied USB cable? I bought an Audioquest cinnamon but will return and get my $140 if the supplied USB is good. 
Thanks!
 

BTW, listening to Diana Kroll in HR right now. Sounds magical! Thanks again for all your outstanding recommendations!

But you do have a way of getting under my skin… sorry for being snarky. 

@2psyop 

Thank you! I agree. 😎

Bought the Chord, one month old on US Audio Mart for $1,200. If I don’t like it, can resell. Thanks for those who recommended the Audio Mart. Never used them before. Thanks again for all your outstanding recommendations!

All I know is the vinyl side of my system sounds clear, clean, precise, dynamic, great soundstage and separation… glorious. I would put my system up against any like priced system.
The digital side, good soundstage, dynamic but not as clear clean or precise. Not bad, but certainly not near the sound quality of vinyl. I would NOT put my system up against any like priced systems  

That leaves the DAC and/or the streamer as the problem. New DAC arrives today, so we shall see. 
As I said at the beginning, I am a vinyl guy. I play digital as a convenience, while that may increase with the improvements, I am not willing to spend more on the digital side vs analog. I don’t need digital to be glorious, just very good. 
So, on a like for like purchase, my Rega Aris and Qutest are very equal. On the streamer side, I am thinking something like Auralic Aries G1.1. vs my 1Xpression/ Hana ML. Thanks 

The addition of my Rogue tube preamp with NOS Brimar’s brought (perhaps needed) warmth to my system. That was an excellent addition. Very nice combination. 

It can at my local store (Audio Advice). Claim they have never had one returned and it is their go to recommendation for under $2,500. That is my plan unless I hear otherwise on this forum. 

@marco1 

i am adding the Pontus II to the short list. Its sound signature sounds perfect, relaxed, warm, no harshness or cymbalism. Wish it wasn’t Chinese, as all else equal prefer US or European. Listening to my MM2 right now, definitely a little harsh.  
BTW, my room is probably bright, with 10 windows & a 75” TV between the speakers for my HT..

@facten 

Want dynamic while warm, no harshness or cymbalism, good soundstage. So resolving is out. 
@glennewdick 

Still #1

@jimmy2615 @ddafoe 

Thanks, looks good, but is too large a form factor. 
@hilde45 

Thanks, I will take a look.  

BTW, attached is a picture of my system. As you can see, I have very little room. My current DAC is on end next to my AVR. I have space between my pre and amp, but can’t be more than 4” tall. Thanks 

Thank you for all the great recommendations. I am going to talk about ASR results. Please don’t let this get into a well documented ASR rant. I know they don’t listen to the equipment, just test. But it is a potential tiebreaker & a potential reference. In my mind, if something tests well AND sounds good, you have a winner. The following are my findings:

Chord Qutest: still in the running: everything I need, nothing I don’t, form factor is perfect, ASR results outstanding and a local returnable purchase. In
Shiit Yggy: Sounds great, but expensive, form factor a little large, and those ASR results… yikes! Please don’t come back at me Yggy fans… out.

RME ADI-2: Nice unit, good size, great ASR results, but a little too revealing, clinical, too many bells & whistles, Out

Topping D90 III: Probably sounds good, good size, great ASR results (Amir uses a Topping). Quality control issues with high failure rates. Out.

Benchmark DAC3: Great ASR results, Expensive & Perhaps too revealing. Out.

Weiss: No USB in. Out

Denarfips Pontus II: Fantastic sounding (Steve Huff review was very convincing), recommended by many of you, good form factor, no ASR review, but ASR recommend the Ares II, In.

So I am left with the Chord and the Pontus. I don’t think I can go wrong with either or any on this list!

As I typed, came to conclusion… going with Chord. Local purchase with opportunity to return, great sound & form factor, everything I need, nothing I don’t.
Thank you again for all your outstanding recommendations!
Please no ASR comments… please. 

@gkelly 

Question, you recommend replacing my streamer first before my DAC. Why is that your recommendation?

I do believe my node is my next weakest link to my DAC, but you believe the opposite? Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks 

@jworth 

Thanks for your thoughts. I just didn’t want my DAC to be better than the rest of my components, starting a whole new round of upgrades. I think my new Qutest will be very good and one of my better components. Now replace my Node, and will hopefully be done. Very happy with my current system otherwise. Thanks!

@helomech 

Sorry if you don’t like my R11’s and/or my Warp 1. While speakers are a matter of taste (and measurements) the R11’s are very well reviewed & were EISA award winners for best high end speakers. I consider them to be a strength, perhaps my strongest component. 
I needed a class D amp for form factor. The LSA is also very well reviewed and (I think) the best price performance class D amp on the market… albeit maybe a little underpowered for my KEF’s. 
My MM2 is definitely my weak link. Thanks 

Thanks, that’s the plan. My new USB cable just arrived. I had attached the node via USB to my MM2. Moving from USB C to B with the Qutest. 

You were correct on the Qutest low end. It is a little light, but not at all muddy, and crisp and clear throughout the range. As I stated at the beginning, form factor due to space was critical and the Qutest is perfect & sounds very good. A keeper. 
You were dead wrong IMHO on the RME. Cheap equalization introducing distortion, based upon some marketing guys thought that equalization differentiate their product is not a good idea. I want a DAC to be just that… convert digital to analog well. 
If I wanted equalization (which I don’t), I would buy something designed for it, like the miniDSP SHD with Dirac. 
But thanks for your thoughts. BTW, you are no Yoda IMHO.

@mclinnguy 

I know, decision made… time to move on. Can I close the discussion?

@mdalton 

Thanks, good read. 

@nagel 

Thank you! This thread was very useful for me. 
The Aries series is definitely on my shortlist! Will then downgrade my node & MM2 to my second system in the family room… Yamaha AVR with Goldenear soundbar…no vinyl, currently compact HT, using MusicCast for streaming, and internal AVR DAC.  Will be a huge step up. Thanks!

Just bought an Aurender N150 & look forward to its arrival. I think it will be a great match for my system & my Chord. Thanks again!

I’m now done… at least for now. 😏

@gkelly 

Thanks! I think I will be happy!