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Weiss 204 Dac or LTA Audio Aero Dac as an upgrade from Chord Qutest Dac

I am currently using a Chord Qutest Dac with my Lumin U2 Mini streamer.  The rest of my system as per my prior thread is Martin Logan 11A Impressions, Rogue Audio RP-1 preamp, Bryston 4B3 Cubed power amplifier. Has anybody had the opportunity to compare the Chord Qutest to the Weiss 204 Dac or the new LTA Audio Aero Dac. Looking to find out if both or either would be a substantial upgrade to the Chord Qutest. Alternative question, which Linear Power supply such as the S Booster added to the Chord Qutest make the biggest difference in better sound? Thinking don't have to upgrade DAC if the power supply option makes a big difference. 

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25 posts
 

I replaced a Qutest with a Weiss 205. Prior to that I replaced the stock Qutest power supply with an iFi Elite, which seemed to improve things. I’m using the Weiss (with Sbooster) into a Benchmark HPA4 and AHB2. Not attenuating the Weiss (so approximately 8 volts vs. the maximum 3 from the Qutest), and using XLR. Those two differences may account for my preferring the Weiss. I also was able to buy the Weiss new for $1350 from Vintage King, before the huge price increases on the 204 and 205. I certainly wouldn’t buy either of them at the current prices.

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25 posts
 

Also: I had a Rogue RH-5 preamp/headphone amp with the Qutest, prior to the Benchmark HPA4. With the Qutest set to 3V, many recordings would cause clipping. No such problem with the Weiss outputting 8V into the HPA4. (And no problem with 2V from the Qutest into the Rogue.)

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kairosman
291 posts
 

I have the Weiss 204 a Lampizator Baltic V4 and a Gustard R26.

They are all good but have different sonic profiles, I would not say one is distinctly better than the rest, what I'd say is each DAC sounds best with certain genres of music.

The 204 excels with music that benefits from when your system prioritizes speed dynamics and clarity. Also it is the most 'transparent' of the 3 DACs.

FYI my system is highly optimized for resolution so take what I've said and interpret it with that in mind.

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