Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[dac64]

I’m not going anywhere, still have 229 pages to read
I will probably have the Qutest in hand once I can find it for a good deal.

let us know if you need any advice after you got the Qutest. btw, the stock psu works for me.

 

[DecentLevi]

I know @DecentLevi REALLY gets into all things audio and tweaks from his Garage 1217 days as well as Feliks audio.

Once he bought a Qutest, it then became a challange for him to make it mo' betta!

Heck YES! Tech modding guru all the way yo! I think I've (somehow? ) brought my propensity to hack things from my teen days of repurposing car stereos for room use, interphasing early 3D visor with a VCR and putting on tape manipulation displays at high school... to the Head-Fi heydeys of today... you know, this crazy magical world of how will a certain coductor color the sound, how tubes routed in parallel expand the soundstage and even helping a headphone modding startup find the right sound with vent ports. I guess that's what this crazy alternate reality of the hi-fi hobby is to me.

I get you guys' drift though about keeping things more on the Qutest. That's the same thing I was feelin' in the thick of the DC LPS discussions too. Overwhelmed and SICK of it. But suffice it to say that the Qutest is a GEM of a DAC and with tweaks the likes of clean power and even a good DDC (I've got the Audio GD DI-20 90/98M on the way), along with feeding it well mastered source material - the sound can be absolutely splendid and really something to behold!

I can try to focus my posts somewhat more on the Qutest itself, and of course such amazing sound with said tweaks wouldn't have been possible without such an otherworldly DAC in the first place. Do bear in mind though there are yet a few of us on this thread still with DC LPSs incoming, so I think we should give them a little time on in the spotlight too so they can tell us what effects these do indeed have on the sound.

 

[GreenBow]

It just struck me that Qutest might run without an amplifier. I mean in a similar fashion to using TT2 without an amplifier.

If it was running from a PC with a variable volume output, and Qutest set to 2V or 3V. Then RCA plugs to speaker cables. It might not have enough volume, and it might put too much power drain on the Qutest though.

If I run TT2 directly into speakers at 3V though. It's often too much volume for driving from a PC set at max output. However I do run music at only quiet to normal volumes. TT2 can get loud though, and I barely get near 3V on it. Maybe in very quiet sections in games or video.

 

[uzi2]

It just struck me that Qutest might run without an amplifier. I mean in a similar fashion to using TT2 without an amplifier.

If it was running from a PC with a variable volume output, and Qutest set to 2V or 3V. Then RCA plugs to speaker cables. It might not have enough volume, and it might put too much power drain on the Qutest though.

If I run TT2 directly into speakers at 3V though. It's often too much volume for driving from a PC set at max output. However I do run music at only quiet to normal volumes. TT2 can get loud though, and I barely get near 3V on it. Maybe in very quiet sections in games or video.

I've got mine set at 3V for running direct to planar headphones. The digital volume control in HQPlayer works very well with comfortable listening generally in the range of -15 to -20db depending on the source.

 

[RobertSM]

I'm running my qutest 3V into my SPL Phonitor X. Phonitor X runs in a slave through configuration straight out via RCA cables to a Woo Audio WA6-SE. I also exclusively use the green filter. I just set it and forget it. Really super happy!

 

[HumanMedia]

Just read through that post you linked, and your post still both confuse me with scant details on which side of which cable have which width and reference of timeframe, the way I read it seems like they lean closer towards 2.1mm connectors. And its' need for a 2.1mm to micro USB adapter added to the confusion.

Per the above I got word back from Ghent Audio they can add JSSG360 shielding and a micro USB connection to the 4S6G cable for just a little extra. @HumanMedia is this still your main DC cable recommendation?

Yes that’s the one, it’s a custom order, and my recommendation for a great low end DC cable for the Qutest. It does have one downside compared to the Gotham - a slightly rolled off bass. But that is it, it sounds immediately cleaner and more neutral in all other areas and to me, preferable.. Note that the 4S8 has no bass roll off but is too high a gauge for the micro usb. I have also tried the higher priced Neotech found it sounded slow and plodding, maybe due to it not being star quad, so it’s inductance will be 3 times higher.

That is my extent of Low end DC cable experience but I’m sure there is huge scope for doing even better. The Audiophile style guys that moved on from Gotham’s went to much higher priced options, in particular a Canadian sourced Silver DC cable that they swear by. I don’t have details on hand, will have a look later.

But for me right now the 4S6G with JSSG is the best of the low cost options that can fit that microUSB connector. For all other components in my system I am moving to 4S8 With JSSG360 which really are great (but also a special order). I am content enough with the 4S6G on the Qutest to focus on other area of my system, without jumping up to (much) higher priced options. But if I were to come back to it I would consider DIYing a DC cable based on the VHAudio V-Quad™ Cu21 raw cable with the Oyaide barrel connectors, microUSB connector and copper braid and Teflon tape for the JSSG treatment.

If anyone is wondering about the JSSG360 shielding is all about, it literally creates a Faraday cage around the cable keeping all externally radiated noise out.

 

[Hooster]

I'm running my qutest 3V into my SPL Phonitor X. Phonitor X runs in a slave through configuration straight out via RCA cables to a Woo Audio WA6-SE. I also exclusively use the green filter. I just set it and forget it. Really super happy!

But why not run your Qutest straight into the Woo Audio?

 

[RobertSM]

But why not run your Qutest straight into the Woo Audio?

Two reasons.

1. In this configuration I get the best of both worlds. I get access to soild state amplification. Sometimes I'm in the mood for lightning fast PRaT and want a reference level sound that the Phonitor X offers. I also have access to both balanced and single-ended headphone outputs.

2. I get the added benefit of the qutest running through the Phonitor X and all its benefits. By benefits I mean its clean voltage rails and it's capacitors. As I use it, Phonitor acts as a pre-amp. I use it in a slave-out configuration. Meaning the signal doesn't get run through the volume pot circuit. It's just passes through. It's the same idea as to why a pre-amp in a two-channel system adds to the overall character and tone before the signal gets sent out to the speakers, or headphones in my case.

I have actually done personal ear testing. Chord qutest straight to the Woo Audio WA6-SE sounds great! Very good. With the Phonitor X it adds weight, depth and a greater 3-D texture. More instrument separation and a deeper soundstage. To my ears, it's absolutely an improvement.

Good question.

 

[DecentLevi]

Yes that’s the one, it’s a custom order, and my recommendation for a great low end DC cable for the Qutest. It does have one downside compared to the Gotham - a slightly rolled off bass. But that is it, it sounds immediately cleaner and more neutral in all other areas and to me, preferable.. Note that the 4S8 has no bass roll off but is too high a gauge for the micro usb. I have also tried the higher priced Neotech found it sounded slow and plodding, maybe due to it not being star quad, so it’s inductance will be 3 times higher.

That is my extent of Low end DC cable experience but I’m sure there is huge scope for doing even better. The Audiophile style guys that moved on from Gotham’s went to much higher priced options, in particular a Canadian sourced Silver DC cable that they swear by. I don’t have details on hand, will have a look later.

But for me right now the 4S6G with JSSG is the best of the low cost options that can fit that microUSB connector. For all other components in my system I am moving to 4S8 With JSSG360 which really are are great. I am content enough with the 4S6G on the Qutest to focus on other area of my system, without jumping up to (much) higher priced options. But if I were to come back to it I would consider DIYing a DC cable based on the VHAudio V-Quad™ Cu21 raw cable with the Oyaide barrel connectors, microUSB connector and copper braid and Teflon tape for the JSSG treatment.

If anyone is wondering about the JSSG360 shielding is all about, it literally creates a Faraday cage around the cable keeping all externally radiated noise out.

Thanks for your input. I ordered the above DC cable earlier. Weird how a DC cable could effect the bass quantity, I'll see if it's the same on mine. And yeah please share the info. on the Canadian silver DC cable they swear by when you can find it, just for reference.

 

[RobertSM]

Just adding a picture for fun.

Macbook-->qutest-->phonitor x-->woo audio wa6se.

Headphone listening options, single-ended or balanced from the Phonitor X or single-ended from WA6SE

 

[Hooster]

Two reasons.

1. In this configuration I get the best of both worlds. I get access to soild state amplification. Sometimes I'm in the mood for lightning fast PRaT and want a reference level sound that the Phonitor X offers. I also have access to both balanced and single-ended headphone outputs.

2. I get the added benefit of the qutest running through the Phonitor X and all its benefits. By benefits I mean its clean voltage rails and it's capacitors. As I use it, Phonitor acts as a pre-amp. I use it in a slave-out configuration. Meaning the signal doesn't get run through the volume pot circuit. It's just passes through. It's the same idea as to why a pre-amp in a two-channel system adds to the overall character and tone before the signal gets sent out to the speakers, or headphones in my case.

I have actually done personal ear testing. Chord qutest straight to the Woo Audio WA6-SE sounds great! Very good. With the Phonitor X it adds weight, depth and a greater 3-D texture. More instrument separation and a deeper soundstage. To my ears, it's absolutely an improvement.

Good question.

Thanks for your detailed response, much appreciated. I am a bit disappointed to hear that the WA6-SE needs help in terms of weight, depth and 3-D texture, but I guess it is what it is.

 

[RobertSM]

Thanks for your detailed response, much appreciated. I am a bit disappointed to hear that the WA6-SE needs help in terms of weight, depth and 3-D texture, but I guess it is what it is.

I understand. And please, I'd never want to be apart of any negative words or feelings regarding Woo Audio. I'm a big fan of what they do. I was actually communicating with Mike this week on another issue.

Let me also say that this set-up works for me. And to my ears it pleases me. Some people have a different opinion saying that anytime you add another component into the system you degrade the sonic purity. Maybe they are right, for themselves. That's the beautiful thing in this hobby, we all choose to build a rig that is pleasing to us. Not a fellow Head-Fi member or anyone else. Not what a audiophile critic says. It's just what we enjoy.

But I stand by my opinion, to me and for me, qutest to, the Phonitor X to the WA6SE sounds better, than without Phonitor. But, what do I know. Lol

Enjoy the music friends!

 

[Hooster]

But I stand by my opinion, to me and for me, qutest to, the Phonitor X to the WA6SE sounds better, than without Phonitor. But, what do I know. Lol

Your opinion is totally respected and appreciated. For the price of the Phonitor plus the Woo Audio you may find yourself better served with something like the ALO Studio Six. You would save in terms of cables and space and who knows, it may sound even better.

 

[GreenBow]

By the way, there is a cable review of RCA and speaker cable in the current Jul 2020 HiFi Choice.

 

[Zzt231gr]

Hey guys!

I just started a thread about aftermarket psu!

Please share your experience there!Thanks.