Chord Qutest——>No difference


Just picked up a pre-owned Chord Qutest (off Audiogon) and hear no difference against my Bluesound Node’s internal DAC. The two are connected via a Chord Company:

  • C-USB Cable - Type A to B

The Node registers the Qutest, which seems to be operational bc the sample rate indicator changes color. Still, it sounds the same.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,

Charlie

128x128teh_chucksta

I owned this combination and noticed the Qutest brought more warmth and definition to the sound field. So I am surprised to hear your response to the change. I had traded a Rega DAC in on the Chord so I never really used the Bluesound direct to the preamp. However I did try a few digital cables before settling on the Kimber Kable D60 and have since upgraded to the Hugo TT-2

I’ll be curious to see if your assessment changes 

 

good luck

@ddude003 
@fuzztone 

Changing the variable line level voltage to 3v seems impactful - the music certainly is louder.  My wife likes the change; maybe I was expecting miracles? Thanks for your input.

Charlie

Teh-chuckles

i experimented with and found 2v worked best for me. But I think that is really pre-amp specific, I have an audio research. I did contact AR as I was concerned 3v might be too much, but they said it wasn’t. 
 

Anyway it sounds like you’re getting it dialed in. Enjoy!

@theo 

Thanks Theo, I have an old Arcam C31 preamp (paired with Arcam P1 monos) so I need all the help I can get. At some point may upgrade to a Rogue Audio tube preamp but that’s down the line.