USB to Dual Coax Bridge for Qutest DAC

@drlou77 I would upgrade the cable to your streamer - thar is the most critical link. Everything before that you could probably get away with Amazon LinkUp cable. 
Also…why not continue with the cable co? They should cut you a nice deal after the evaluation is over and apply the lending fee towards the purchase. 
I would suggest Purist, Audioquest. Doesn’t have to be super expensive. 

drlou77

if you know of another vendor that will let me borrow, audition and return cables, please suggest them

Your local dealer will likely be happy to loan you some cables.

PS - if you know of another vendor that will let me borrow, audition and return cables, please suggest them too.

Audience Studio One USB in back in my system and it sounds fabulous.

Last matter: ethernet cable up grade.  I'm considering upgrading the one from my router to my mesh router.  I'm thinking that a modest upgrade will be fine here.

The other would be from my plain vanilla ethernet switch to my streamer.  Here's what I have to choose from that I can borrow and return from the Cable Company:

https://www.thecableco.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?q=Ethernet&product_list_order=price_asc
 

Any and all opinions are welcome.

Thanks.

@txp1 I did not.

I am still awaiting the delivery of the Audience Studio One USB cable.  I tested a sampler and had to return it.

I just got a UPS Tracking # sent tonight, so I should have it very soon.

Once I'm back on-line with streaming, I am going to test a higher quality ethernet cable, as others have suggested, and see if it makes a difference.

Thanks.

@drlou77   Did you ever purchase an AudioWise SRC-DX?

@audphile1 I agree with you. But I consider the MScaler to be a component rather than an add-on. I’ve communicated with several Dave and TT2 owners who also have an MScaler. The Qutest and MScaler together and their cables require only one shelf in my audio rack. Same as a Bricasti M3 or Mola Mola or Rockna or most other high-end DACs. My goal is to buy a Dave when the “new Dave” is released. Hopefully the old Dave will go on sale!

if I didn’t have a DAC and was building a nice high-end digital streaming system I too would probably choose a Bricasti M3 over purchasing both a Chord Qutest and a Chord MScaler. But when you already own a Qutest for two years and like it, the MScaler brings it to a much higher level of performance. There’s really no comparison.

And the Qutest-MScaler combination pairs well with my all tube amplification. System synergy strikes again.

P.S. For future readers. Both the Qutest and the MScaler require a significant amount of burn-in. Don’t judge them too early in your evaluation regardless whether purchased individually or together.  And leave them powered up 24x7. 

@drlou77  I have a Netgear Orbi mesh system. It utilizes a main router which is connected to my cable modem in a different room which holds a separate home theater system. The main router feeds a satellite router using a 866 Mbps wireless signal. The satellite router provides Internet connection to my Aurender N150 streamer. I consistently get 275 Mbps download speeds throughout the entire house. 

My Ethernet cable upgrade saga began with a frequently recommended Generic Cat, 8 cable from Amazon as I wasn’t really a believer that an Ethernet cable could make a difference. I thought the treble improved but later learned this was likely noise that is frequently mistaken for improved high frequency response. So I bought AQ Cinnamon Ethernet cables. I started with the cable modem to main router and in the HT system another to the Apple TV 4K set-top box and another from the HT receiver to the TV.  The difference was noticeable on video so I bought them for the audio system as well. I immediately heard less high frequency hash and as they burned in I could hear more natural sound.

MScaler to the Qutest brought refinement and later the Denali brought more noise reduction which resulted in more cable purchases. This time because I have all Shunyata power cables, I decided to go big and bought Shunyata Alpha v2 Ethernet cables. Same order as the last time in separate purchases except that I bought a Shunyata Alpha USB cable with the streamer feed Ethernet cable.  These much better cables provided improved imaging, soundstage depth and tonal accuracy. The imaging improvement is incredible! 

I don’t know your equipment or cables but I would recommend a better Ethernet cable on your streamer. Use a retailer with a long (e.g., 60 day) evaluation period because all digital cables require burn-in IMO.  I’ve experienced digital cable burn-in many times now and the cables that aren’t pre-sale burned-in by the manufacturer tend to sound extremely closed-in or even harsh sometimes.

Happy journey!

@drlou77 I run EERO mesh. I clearly hear differences between Ethernet cables connecting the access point to my streamer. I don’t use a switch. 
My approach is to use a decent Ethernet cable (currently using Purist Audio) and worry about components and speakers first. When I’m sitting here scratching my head about future upgrades to components, speakers and cables, and there’s nowhere to go in that space, I’d play with audiophile switches. 
 

In the post above by @txp1 , I respect his choices but we can debate what would be a bigger ROI, Qutest being a centerpiece with all the attachments to it, or having a clean DAC only approach with Chord DAVE, Tambaqui Mola Mola or some other high end DAC without all the accessories and clutter around the Qutest. 
As i said I respect choices made by others, but my approach is components first, accessories later. Right, wrong or different, that’s how I tackle it. 

@txp1 Thanks for sharing your story.  I am very interested in the SQ improvement you realized from upgrading your ethernet cable.

My set up uses wifi to send the signal to a ASUS mesh system.  I am unable to run an ethernet cable from my router to my generic ethernet switch.  My download speed is consistently 180 Mbs, so it's been working for a year without any dropouts.
 

From the switch, I'm using a 1M plain vanilla ethernet cable to my Innuos Zenith mk3 streamer, a .75 M Curious Cable Evolved USB cable to my Innuos Phoenix USB reclocker, and then a 2 M Audience Studio One USB to the Bricasti M3 DAC.

Everything sounds superb, but I am wondering if I swap out the 1 M generic ethernet cable for something more exotic, can I squeeze an improvement in SQ worthy of the added investment for a new cable.

I'm guessing the answer is, "try it and see for yourself."  In either case, which ethernet cable would you recommend?

Thanks.

@audphile1 @adasdad @drlou77  I’ve followed this thread with interest and I’m glad everything worked out for the OP.  I’d like to add that it’s not really a valid comparison to compare a Qutest DAC to a Qutest and MScaler combination like @adasdad is using.  The MScaler takes the Qutest to a far superior level.  And it takes time for the MScaler to burn-in, partly due to the stock SMPS supplied with it. 

The improvement is profound. Detailed and smooth/natural.  I also found myself stretching to buy $1000+ cables because I could now hear the improvement they make.  I was already set for power cables. These new ones were USB and Ethernet cables!  With each one I could hear the improvement in my system.  The Qutest and MScaler combination made that possible.  Well, in addition to a Shunyata Denali 6000 v2 that helped get noise out.  In general, 24/44 and 24/48 music sounds much better than 16/44. With the Qutest alone and prior to the upgrades I couldn’t hear any difference.  

@drlou77 phew I was beginning to worry :)

glad you like the Audience! It’s amazing an improvement a good USB cable can make. 

The two sites I use exclusively to buy/sell equipment are this site and the US Audio Mart. Good luck! And enjoy the upgrades!

Update:  After listening to the Audience Studio One USB cable with my Bricasti M3 for about a week, I decided to purchase it.  It’s way more money than I’ve ever spent on a cable, but my ears told me to go for it.

The Bricasti/Studio One combination performed as @audphile1 described.  The music was fuller, more natural and there was significantly more bass.  Listening to the 24/192 version of Steely Dan’s Aja on Qobuz, my jaw was dropping with each song.  Everything I played sounded, OMG, unbelievably great.

So, thanks to all that chimed in, and for convincing me that I needed to get a new DAC to elevate my streaming experience to beyond my wildest expectations.

Now, I have one more request.  I have a near mint Qutest and SBooster linear power supply to sell.  Any thoughts as to which site I should list these items for sale?

p

Sounds like a plan!

@audphile1 

The Cable Company is letting me borrow the Audience Cable for two weeks.  However, the 30 day clock is ticking on the DH Labs.  It expires on 2/9.  In essence, I have until next Friday to make my decision whether to purchase the Audience cable.  I keep both while I audition the Audience.  This is helpful to comparing them as you suggested.

More to come.

Glad to help and it’s very nice of you not to rush to judgement on the seller to leave a permanent bad mark. 
So what is the arrangement with the cable co? They’re letting you audition the Audience cable and send back either it or the DH?

@audphile1 Yes, I replaced the fuse and it’s working fine.  Sounds great with the Bricasti.  200 hours puts me at next Tuesday.  Hopefully, I will hear a big improvement over the weekend.

I heard from the seller over the weekend.  He was in the ER, and has some very serious medical issues.

I told him that the DAC was working and sounded great.  I thanked him for selling to me and wished him the best.  You just never know what’s going on in peoples lives that drives their behavior.

All’s well that ends well.

Is the streamer back from the dead?

Nice! Like any cable around 200hrs but I’m pretty sure it will sound good right out of the box. 

What I usually do is listen to an “upgrade” for at least a day or so, then go back to my previous reference. It should be obvious once you switch back to DH Labs, and once again when you switch back to Audience. As I mentioned earlier, Audience should sound fuller, more natural and dynamic with better bass. It wasn’t difficult to hear the difference in my system. 

@audphile1 

Well, you haven't steered me wrong yet, so I just placed an order for the Audience Studio One USB cable.  It arrives tomorrow and I will begin breaking it in immediately.  How long should I give it before I do some critical listening?

I've never spent this much on a cable before, but if it knocks my socks off, I will return the Mirage and keep it.

Any thoughts on what I should notice when listening to the Studio One?  I have until 2/9 to make a decision.  I'll probably spend a good part of the weekend listening to Qobuz.

More to come.  Thanks. 

@audphile1 Yes, it does work.  Really sounds good coming from my noisy laptop.  Imagine how good it will sound with the streamer.

Have a nice weekend.

Awesome! You confirmed USB works as well! Enjoy!!!

@audphile1 

You are correct sir.  In the absence of my streamer, I hooked my laptop and Qobuz up to the Bricasti tonight via the Mirage USB cable.  It sounds pretty, damn good.

I contacted The Cable Company today.  I bought the Mirage from them. They will loan me the Audience Studio One for two weeks.  I just pay for postage to/from.  Retail is $1,000 for 2M.  May pull the trigger on Monday just for the heck of it.  More to come.

Rich…you got a very good DAC and I’m sure you will enjoy it when you get your streamer back up and running. 

@audphile1 

Yeah, that sounds like a plan.  The seller sold me a great DAC for a great price.  Positive feedback warranted.  Done.

I kept him apprised of the difficulties I was having getting the unit to operate.  I suggested that if the DAC needed to be sent to Bricasti that he should bear some financial responsibility.  Maybe, I jumped the gun on that, but instead of being supportive, he became antagonistic, attacked my credibility, and essentially implied that I was at fault, and a liar.  He knew nothing about the component he sold me and indicated as much, when he suggested that I may have blown a fuse.  There's more, but I won't bother with the details,

For a seller with a 20 year spotless record, I expected better than that.  If it sounds like I overreacted, than I'll just thank him for doing business and fade into the ether.  Otherwise, I think he needs to know that I expected better post sales support.

Rant over.  😎

Rich…let’s break it down….it’s the cat that can be skinned few different ways…

From the pure sale standpoint, the item was as described? Not misrepresented? Complete with everything that was listed in the classified? Seller came thru, shipped it on time? Everything is working fine, correct? 

On this basis alone, I’d say the seller deserves a Positive rating feedback on US Audio Mart. 
 

Now let’s account for the user error (not being familiar with the unit, non-descriptive manual, whatever the reasons may be). To be fair, there was a user error. 

Now, in that feedback you can mention less than desired post sale support. That is technically a reason to downgrade it to Neutral rating, but I probably wouldn’t do it.

I’d leave a Positive feedback on USAM, expecting the same to be left for me, and express my dissatisfaction with post sale support, attitude, what have you, thru an email. Best thing to do is working this out in email first, civilly, then exchange feedback.

I’ll let others weigh in if you need additional thoughts, but this is just how I would tackle it.

@audphile1 

Since my streamer may not be up for a few days (long story), I feel compelled to give the seller feedback asap.

I'm not going post anything publicly, but will send him an email.

IMO, he sold me a good DAC, at a fair price, but did not treat me as I would have expected for someone who has a 20 year track record of 100% positive reviews.

If it wasn't for you, and others on this thread, the M3 would be in a box on its way to  Boston.

Thoughts about tone and content of the email?  I have a working rough draft, but feel that it's good to check in with my Audiogon friends for feedback.

Thanks!

@audphile1 Thanks.  Couldn't have done it without you and others in this forum.

Now onto streaming.

@drlou77  That is awesome news man!!! Glad to hear it’s working. The USB input should be working as well as soon as your streamer is up and running.

As far as rebooting the M3….select different inputs on DAC all day long, no reboot needed. Power down when switching cables. Always. Everything. Takes few extra seconds but it’s worth it.
Putting components in standby does not cut it when plugging and unplugging cables. Some circuits may be kept on and it can get expensive if something gets fried.

Keep us posted.

@audphile1 BINGO!  My streamer is still down, but I bought a SPDIF cable and hooked it up as per your instructions.  Repeated steps, but this time I switched the input on the Bricasti to IN2.  Push play on my Oppo and, voila, Free Falling, by Tom Petty came blasting out of my B&W 804s.  Whew!

Now, I need to replace the fuse in my Innuos streamer, switch to IN4, and test it out.  Question: do I have to reboot the DAC (circuit breaker) after I switch the input from IN2 to IN4?
 

Thanks!

drlou77 a/k/a Rich

Sounds good! 

@audphile1 

Thank you for your continued support.

The fuse on my Innuos Zenith mk3 blew when I rebooted it last night.  I have a bad back and replacing it is a big tricky for me.

In the interim, I will buy an inexpensive coax cable from Amazon and hook it up to my Oppo universal player and run it through the Bricasti and see if I get any sound.

Thank you and I’ll sign in and report the results later.

I’ll add - do not make any connections between your components when they’re powered on or in standby. Turn it all off/power down and if you have to, unplug from  outlet. 

Are you talking about a fuse on the Bricasti? There’s no fuse there. Find a little button on the back of the Bricasti dac by the power cord and press it. That’s the “breaker” so to speaker. That should get the dac back up and running.
USB card in the m3 should be compatible with your streamer.

Get everything connected properly. Take your time with it. Turn it all on after all the cables are connected.
Use the settings on the M3 that I recommended. And try again.

I want to believe the seller wouldn’t sell you a paperweight with the kind of feedback he has.

One other test you can do is connect a coax or toslink cable from a dvd plsyer if you have one to the m3 and play a cd. See if you get sound.

@audphile1 

Hello.  It appears I blew a fuse when I rebooted my streamer.  I am going to replace it and try again.

I bought this component on US Audio Mart.  The seller has been in business for 20 years with a Feedback Rating of 100% for 58 transactions.  He also boasts a 100% Feedback Rating on Audiogon for 345 transactions.

Based on these ratings, and that the DAC was rated a 9/10 on US Audio Mart, I paid him using his preferred method of PayPal Friends and Family.

I've been corresponding with the seller about this matter all along.  He has been very argumentative and accusatory in response to my suggestion that he bear some financial responsibility for any shipping and repair costs, should I sent the unit to Bricasti for service.

He claims that because I reported to him that the unit worked initially before I started having problems, that I must have done something wrong.  He has explicitly stated that the unit should been left on 24x7, and that rebooting it voided any responsibility he may have towards costs incurred to rectify the "no audio" situation I am faced with.  He also mentioned that I probably blew a fuse (the unit doesn't have one), and that the DAC was only used in conjunction with a CD Transport, and may not be compatible with my streamer.

In my last email, I stated that "I'm relying on your reputation as a trusted seller with a 20 year track record, to help me resolve this matter in a fair and equitable manner."  I also mentioned to him that I was sending the unit back to Bricasti for service, and I would circle back with him once I heard back from them.

Again, he fired off two impulsive and accusatory emails to me, implying that I caused the malfunction when I rebooted the unit to fix the problem.  At this point, I am not responding to any of his emails and will wait to hear from Bricasti before I contact him again.  

Looking for guidance on what is reasonable and customary, and how to handle this situation. 

Thank you! 

Cool. Let’s try everything before it heads back to Bricasti 

Yes, I did everything.  I’m having a problem rebooting my server.  Gotta fix that first.

Thanks

Have you confirmed the settings are back to ctlremote? And used the standby button to reset it? 
Reboot the streamer and the reclocker just in case. 
is usb the input you’re using on the dac? Rebooting the streamer will re-establish the handshake if you’re using usb. Try it. 
 

@audphile1 

Followed your instructions.  Still no sound.  Any other thoughts or suggestions before I pack it up tomorrow?

Thanks for trying.

Forget whether or not you have a remote. I don’t either. I replicated your problem. Let’s fix it (hope it will) then you can call Joe and ask him why it does what it does. 

@audphile1 

CtlREMOTE, even though I don’t have a remote?  If you don’t mind me asking, what is the nature of this setting?

So,hit Status, change to CtlREMOTE, reset by holding standby for a few seconds, but not as long as 10, reboot (turn off for 10 seconds, then back on), confirm that the settings are the same as before rebooting, including CtlREMOTE, and then stream.  Have I got it?

Sorry, but I’ve had more than one person try to help me today, and they all told me different things, none of which worked.

Thanks!

Lou - CtlTtrig is your problem! Should be CtlREMOTE like mine. You’ll have your sound back.
Hit status and set ctltrig to CtlREMOTE by turning the knob.
then hold the standby button for few seconds to reset. Reboot dac from power breaker in the back. Confirm settings and you should be good to go

@audphile1 

Here are my results at 9:04 pm est:

Bricasti notes

Rebooted unit
Input button = in4
Level button = 0db
Mute button = 0db
Status button:
Linear 0
38C 100F
MDx 1.08
CtlTRIGO  don't have a remote
PhaseNRM
BriteLow
NDSD DSD
RBalSTBY

Streaming from Innuos via Qobuz, bit rate = 192 hHz
Matches track from Roger Waters' "Amused to Death"

No audible sound.

What's next, besides packing it up?

Thank you!

@drlou77 before we declare it bricked, let’s try some basic troubleshooting…

Let’s compare settings:

1. Reboot the DAC using the breaker switch in the back of the unit. Shut it off. Wait 10sec. Turn it back on again

2. hit the input button and make sure the dac is set to the correct input. If you’re using usb set to in4, if coax then in2

3. hit the level button and make sure the level is set to 0

4. hit the mute button and make sure it says Lvl 0db

Now hit the status button and keep hitting it to go thru settings.
Do you see these listed as settings when you hit status button?

RBalSTBY

CtlREMOTE

What is the temperature it is showing?

When you stream from Innuous, does it show bit rate?

One other thing, prior to touching the DAC make sure you discharge static by touching the wall.

Let me know

What is your source of music?  What applications are you using ie Qobuz, Tidal, Roon, CD???   Are you using a music server, streamer, etc, wired, wireless?

@audphile1 @tvad 

Hello to all.  I find myself in uncharted waters and need your help.

The M3 I purchased as a 9/10 item on US Audio Mart is not working as advertised.
 

The unit is connected to my preamp correctly, yet there is no sound when I play any tracks from Qobuz from my streamer.

I found a post on Audiogon from last year where @tvad Suggested pushing the Standby button for around 10 seconds and restarting the unit.  It worked once this morning, but once I switch sources in my preamp and went back to the Bricasti, no sound.

Spoke to Joe at Bricasti and he tried to help me, but to no avail.  No sound.

I’m packing it up and sending it in for service.  I notified the seller and he’s pushing back regarding paying anything towards shipping or repairs.  I paid him with PP friends and family, so I have no leverage.

Any thoughts?

I’m glad you liked the M3!!! I also knew you would. 😂

Let it all settle. If you like the Mirage, just keep it. Like I said before, it’s decent. 
As to Audience StudioOne…they say it’s a replacement for the AU24SE+. That’s what the rep told me when I called a while ago. Run the M3 round the clock with the new cable…it should sound even better when the cable breaks in but don’t be surprised if the sound will become harsh midway thru. I just experienced it with my AQ Diamond USB when it was breaking in. Just let it take its course for about 200hrs. Keep us posted. 
 

@audphile1 

I've only listened to it for about 30 minutes thus far, but I am blown away.  I played AJA from Qobuz (24/192) and, wow. The sound was full, soundstage deep and wide, and the digital artifacts - gone.  
 

I am going to play it 24x7, for about nine days and then start listening critically, once my new USB cable is broken in.

Speaking of cables, The Cable Company will let me return the Mirage before 30 days, if I want to upgrade.

I did a quick search and they have this one:

It's not exactly the one you recommended, but I was wondering if it was close enough.

More to come next weekend.

Thanks.

@drlou77 so take this with a grain of salt…because this was with a Lumin U1 Mini streamer going into the Chord Qutest…I never tried the DH Labs Mirage with the M3. But the improvements were: natural tone, no hint of digital glare, fuller sound, fuller bass and the more vibrant midrange. Soundstage improved as well. You won’t know what the DH Labs is lacking until you try a USB cable such as the Audience. If you can move the components closer, you can pick up a used Audience USB for not much more than that new 2m Mirage. Try the mirage first. No need to go crazy as it’s a decent USB cable.

I assume you were running the Qutest with RCA cables. At some point, if you system allows, try the M3 with a good set of XLR cables. But as I mentioned earlier, get a baseline with your configuration as is. You can realize more if the M3 potential later. 
When you connect the M3, don’t forget to set it to 0db volume to bypass the preamp section if you’re not using it as a preamp. The USB cable will take time to settle. Don’t rush any afditchanges. 

@audphile1 The Audience USB is $1,000 new for a 2M cable.  I can't afford that right now, buy what does $700+ over my DH Labs Mirage do for me?  Are you able to describe the effect on sound quality for me?  I'm sticking with my Innuos streamer, Phoenix USB reclocker, and Bricasti M3.  Does a cable that costs $1,000+ fit into my system?  Thanks.