[betula]

we agree to disagree

With all due respect to Chord, while appreciate their philosophy about minimizing the number of links, that doesn’t drive my decision... my ears do. I have a feeling plenty of people (including myself) would be more than content with Qutest + mscaler + high-end amp and not “have to” upgrade to TT2 unless they absolutely couldn’t shake their GAS. Especially if one already own an amp(s) they really like (and if they like tubes).

Sure, both upgrade routes are equally valid. To me the biggest question is what amp you put between Qutest and MScaler?

 

[BlakeT]

Sound quality preferences will vary greatly from user to user, but in terms of the upgrade question being discussed above, I think Torq's comments in this thread should be given a decent amount of weight (although he unfortunately doesn't specifically discuss the Qutest, but does discuss the TT2 and M-Scaler, etc.), as Torq has more experience with DAC's at all ends of the spectrum (affordable to cost-no-object TOTL), and Chord DAC's, M-Scaler, etc. in particular, than anyone else of which I am aware:

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/57357-chord-hugo-2-upgrade-m-scaler-or-tt2/

I'm not sure if it is a consensus, but my impression from reading various reviews is that Qutest is generally considered to be sonically superior to the Hugo 2, so you could extrapolate Torq's comments vis a vis the Hugo 2 to the Qutest. I am very happy with my Qutest but would love to try the M-Scaler with it one day.

 

[kerisabe]

Guys much appreciated the inputs! Currently im running the qutest through the gryphon diablo 300, lovin the sound. I am thinking of selling the qutest to move up to TT2, or diablo 300’s optional internal dac (less cables, direct to amp), a mid level lampi or bartok. I havent heard all of the above except the bartok (but not in my system). Just dont want to take a step in the wrong direction cause its quite a big upgrade. And to me, the shorter the chain, the better the sq (no additional mods/cables). Decisions decisions. In the end, the idea of just adding an m scaler keeps coming back to my mind.

 

[Reactcore]

So i have done some voltage measuring on the power section inside Qutest.
It appears the 5v is switched up to + and - 12v and then regulated to + an - 8v referred to signal ground before feeded into the final OP stage.

I wonder if placing gold caps over these 8v lines give improvement for direct drive cause more current (peaks) are drawn by HP.

I know with external amps this wouldnt matter cause of the input being 50kohm or so taking very low current.

 

[Zzt231gr]

So i have done some voltage measuring on the power section inside Qutest.
It appears the 5v is switched up to + and - 12v and then regulated to + an - 8v referred to signal ground before feeded into the final OP stage.

I wonder if placing gold caps over these 8v lines give improvement for direct drive cause more current (peaks) are drawn by HP.

I know with external amps this wouldnt matter cause of the input being 50kohm or so taking very low current.

Interesting find!

But wouldn't it be better if they used +- 12V from the start?

I'd like to know the result of the added reservoir caps.

 

[Reactcore]

Im a little hesitant with this, it might damage the regulator during powerup cycles.
Guess Rob wouldnt answer this since it would be tampering with the original design.

 

[Triode User]

Im a little hesitant with this, it might damage the regulator during powerup cycles.
Guess Rob wouldnt answer this since it would be tampering with the original design.

But it would be fun for us to see the pictures especially if there was some magic smoke coming from the Qutest.

Your guarantee is I presume already invalidated by your confession of opening it up. It is a wet afternoon here so a little video of something exploding might be fun.

Go on, take one for the team.

 

[Reactcore]

Nice comment T,
If i would have your arsenal of gear i wouldnt have a need of modding them.

In case of Qutest using a amp theres nothing to improve im not stupid.
But driving HP direct.. it might be.

I have my degree in electronics and am just curious. Have built or modified more gear in the past.

I bought this unit 2nd hand so have no warranty anyway.

 

[Triode User]

Nice comment T,
If i would have your arsenal of gear i wouldnt have a need of modding them.

In case of Qutest using a amp theres nothing to improve im not stupid.
But driving HP direct.. it might be.

I have my degree in electronics and am just curious. Have built or modified more gear in the past.

I bought this unit 2nd hand so have no warranty anyway.

Although I was having a bit of fun you are right that it is enjoyable to tinker and I am the worlds worst for giving in to temptation and taking the top off just to have a play. It will be interesting to see how you get on if you decide to have a go. (I am currently modding a 300B tube amp . . . )

 

[Romi54]

Is it possible to take the BNC jacks from the Qutest from the outside?

 

[Reactcore]

So now had some time with the supra USB
Must say it 'smoothens' the high end of the fq spectrum a bit. Very nice!
Although with some soft recorded music eg DSD, i sometimes prefer the bite of a simpler cable.

 

[dac64]

Is it possible to take the BNC jacks from the Qutest from the outside?

Remove the BNC connectors, you meant ?

No

 

[nwavesailor]

So now had some time with the supra USB
Must say it 'smoothens' the high end of the fq spectrum a bit. Very nice!
Although with some soft recorded music eg DSD, i sometimes prefer the bite of a simpler cable.

I agree @Reactcore, the Supra 2.0 USB cable is a keeper!

I also bought an inexpensive Furetech USB cable that had received a What HiFi award to try. It did have very nice connectors that were a bit tighter than the Supra.

I did A /B comparisons with the Furetech and Supra, back to back, and on every swap the output of the Supra was higher than the Furetech. I changed nothing other than simply swapping the USB cables?

 

[Romi54]

Remove the BNC connectors, you meant ?

No

yes I mean ... ok pity .... thanks

 

[dac64]

yes I mean ... ok pity .... thanks

It's easy to open the chassis to replace the BNC connectors.

Can share what are you up to?