Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[odessamarin]

I'm conducting a bit of an experiment tonight. I'm comparing my new Chord Qutest to my "old" Holo Spring DAC. I've got my system configured in such a way (albeit temporarily) to quickly A:B both DAC's on the same amp.
For this test, I'm using a HeadAmp GS-X mk2 headphone amplifier to drive my Focal Utopia's. I have my Chord Qutest plugged into my desktop PC via a Curious USB cable. The Holo Spring is being fed by a Mano Ultra streamer. I am using ROON to stream the same album track to both DACs. .....it's not the most scientific setup, but I've gotten some very interesting results to share.

(1) The differences between the Holo Spring and the Qutest aren't as wide as I would have imagined. The Holo still punches above its weight class.
(2) I find the Qutest gives me better separation. Listening to the "Jazz at the pawnshop" I found I was able to easily focus on instruments like an upright bass without feeling other instruments "bleeding over"
(3) Although I hate pretentious terms like "micro detail", I felt that the sound of a brush on a snare was more realistic on the Qutest.
(4) Playing a live recording of the Dire Straits (live at the BBC) I actually preferred the Holo. I got a warmer, richer, thicker, more intimate "live" rock show feeling from the NOS mode of the Holo than I got from the Qutest no matter which filter I tried. The vocal's were more intimate on the Holo while the crash of the cymbals was more detailed on the Qutest.

It's rare that I've had an opportunity to A:B two DAC's so closely so it's been an interesting evening. I'll queue up some more test tracks - perhaps some flamenco guitar, acoustic guitar and acapella vocals to find additional head-to-head comparisons

Very interesting, thank you.
how would you describe soundstage holography, deeps, size and dimensionality?
I personally found lack of this in qutest.

 

[Xinlisupreme]

Hi Guys,
anyone has compared Qutest with Hugo TT2?

 

[betula]

Hi Guys,
anyone has compared Qutest with Hugo TT2?

No contest from what I have read and heard. Double amount of taps. Four times more expensive. DAC/amp with supercapacitors vs single DAC. Are you even serious?

 

[jwbrent]

No contest from what I have read and heard. Double amount of taps. Four times more expensive. DAC/amp with supercapacitors vs single DAC. Are you even serious?

I would agree there should be a notable difference between the digital section of the Qutest and TT2, but quantifying that difference with subjective thought may not lead to a slam dunk conclusion for all listeners that the TT2 is worth the additional expense forgoing it’s other capabilities.

 

[betula]

I would agree there should be a notable difference between the digital section of the Qutest and TT2, but quantifying that difference with subjective thought may not lead to a slam dunk conclusion for all listeners that the TT2 is worth the additional expense forgoing it’s other capabilities.

Mea culpa, Sir. I was just reflecting on the fact that we are trying to compare an 'engine' to another 'whole car with a superior engine'.
Talking about what expense is worth to whom is an extremely subjective topic.

 

[jwbrent]

Mea culpa, Sir. I was just reflecting on the fact that we are trying to compare an 'engine' to another 'whole car with a superior engine'.
Talking about what expense is worth to whom is an extremely subjective topic.

I wasn’t meaning to criticize your comment, just meaning to say we all have different levels of sensitivity when it comes to evaluating components/transducers and whether any cost difference is worthwhile.

 

[betula]

I wasn’t meaning to criticize your comment, just meaning to say we all have different levels of sensitivity when it comes to evaluating components/transducers and whether any cost difference is worthwhile.

That is true.

 

[kumar402]

Got my Qutest today.
My rig is going to be
Roon on MBP-> optical Out -> Qutest(Warm filter at 1v) -> Schiit Sys -> Liquid Platinum ( NOS Tubes) -> Empyrean/ HD800S.
Does Qutest need any burn in? I haven’t plugged it in yet.

 

[kumar402]

Well I'm a believer now. Let me tell you, I tried this a couple different ways, and every other combination sounded terrible. Whatever you do, don't bother with Tylenol, it imparts a horrible screeching to the sound.

Nice stand....I guess it will provide more height to the sound

 

[kumar402]

Don’t we have switch on or off button in Qutest like we had in Mojo? Does it mean we can leave it on all the time? But as per my understanding FPGA based DAC gets hot hence must be switched off when not in use, Is my understanding correct?

 

[Nautrachkfriend]

Don’t we have switch on or off button in Qutest like we had in Mojo? Does it mean we can leave it on all the time? But as per my understanding FPGA based DAC gets hot hence must be switched off when not in use, Is my understanding correct?

You can leave the Qutest on at all times. It doesn't get hot, I'd say lukewarm more or less.

 

[Ragnar-BY]

Got my Qutest today.
My rig is going to be
Roon on MBP-> optical Out -> Qutest(Warm filter at 1v) -> Schiit Sys -> Liquid Platinum ( NOS Tubes) -> Empyrean/ HD800S.
Does Qutest need any burn in? I haven’t plugged it in yet.

Tube amp, additional SYS in the signal path and "warm" filter? Strange choice.

 

[Meanstreak242]

Got my Qutest today.
My rig is going to be
Roon on MBP-> optical Out -> Qutest(Warm filter at 1v) -> Schiit Sys -> Liquid Platinum ( NOS Tubes) -> Empyrean/ HD800S.
Does Qutest need any burn in? I haven’t plugged it in yet.

My Qutest definitely required a burn-in. The mids were quite bright bordering on glaring when I first plugged it in. I left it on with music playing for a couple of days via USB, and when I came back the brightness was completely gone. Now the DAC just sounds beautiful (to my ears.)

But with all the differences between systems, ears, and taste your mileage may vary.

 

[Staxaphone]

My Qutest definitely required a burn-in. The mids were quite bright bordering on glaring when I first plugged it in. I left it on with music playing for a couple of days via USB, and when I came back the brightness was completely gone. Now the DAC just sounds beautiful (to my ears.)

But with all the differences between systems, ears, and taste your mileage may vary.

My experience also for about the first 8 hours of play, but more so in the upper mids. Beautiful sounding is an apt description now.

 

[kumar402]

Tube amp, additional SYS in the signal path and "warm" filter? Strange choice.

have removed SYS. Had to use SYS earlier with LP as the amp doesn't have a gain switch. However I found with 1v input Ican get away from sys.
I am little treble sensitive and like Warm sound and thats why I have Z1R and Empyrean. 800s only gets headtime for critical listening or some genre suited for it.I am ok to loose out on details as long as I get treble just right.
Ya it sounds strange.