Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[Womaz]

The sticky buttons happens to me on occasions too ……but for me at least it’s only temporary for some reason

just to add I rarely use the buttons as rarely change the filter and the source is never changed

 

[beardyweirdy]

Not long but it was an ex demo model

 

[miketlse]

Not long but it was an ex demo model

In that case you are a bit 'at the mercy' of all the previous demoers who may have had sweaty fingers, or used 'excessive force' when using the buttons.
For long term peace of mind, a deep clean by the dealer or Chord support is probably the best solution.
Email support@chordelectronics.co.uk and explain the situation, and see what they propose as the way forward.

 

[Stu Clark]

Oh I have posted a thread & then found this one .

I guess the ‘other’ thread will be ignored as it seems like I should have posted ‘here’

Excuse the Newbie .

Here is the question:

Hello there,

I’m sorry to ask but I thought this would be the best place to ask for help as I know the focus here will be solely on sound quality…….

I have connected the Node to the Qutest via the COAX on the Node & using the BNC on the QUTEST in order to bypass the internal DAC on the Node.

But……. I obviously want to get the best quality & also from MQA.

In your opinion’s should I alter the settings or should I leave them because the device should be automatically playing at the best resolution without unfolding the file?

I remember seeing some advice online that states “Disable Tone Controls—Disable Replay Gain—Enable Iutput Level Fixed—Enable MQA External DAC”

However I am concerned that I may be then tampering with the quality of ‘non MQA’ files? I have no idea really.

Attached is a pic of my current settings.

If anybody could throw some pointers I would be grateful! Oh, I also set my Node volume to High so I am not using much range on my amp as it has a dial (Accuphase).

I hope this was clear .

 

[Reactcore]

.

 

[Reactcore]

Oh I have posted a thread & then found this one .

I guess the ‘other’ thread will be ignored as it seems like I should have posted ‘here’

Excuse the Newbie .

Here is the question:

Hello there,

I’m sorry to ask but I thought this would be the best place to ask for help as I know the focus here will be solely on sound quality…….

I have connected the Node to the Qutest via the COAX on the Node & using the BNC on the QUTEST in order to bypass the internal DAC on the Node.

But……. I obviously want to get the best quality & also from MQA.

In your opinion’s should I alter the settings or should I leave them because the device should be automatically playing at the best resolution without unfolding the file?

I remember seeing some advice online that states “Disable Tone Controls—Disable Replay Gain—Enable Iutput Level Fixed—Enable MQA External DAC”

However I am concerned that I may be then tampering with the quality of ‘non MQA’ files? I have no idea really.

Attached is a pic of my current settings.

If anybody could throw some pointers I would be grateful! Oh, I also set my Node volume to High so I am not using much range on my amp as it has a dial (Accuphase).

I hope this was clear .Qutest (like all Chord DAC's) dont support MQA hardware unfolding.

Qutest (like all Chord DAC's) dont support MQA hardware unfolding.
It will sound better playing original non MQA material

 

[beardyweirdy]

Not sure if my defective qutest is within warranty, or not. I doubt the dealer will do anything as it was taken by them as a px, so its effectively ' buyer beware. A bit annoyed as its only the second time have used it. Anyone had an out of warranty repair completed by Chord?.

 

[Reactcore]

Not sure if my defective qutest is within warranty, or not. I doubt the dealer will do anything as it was taken by them as a px, so its effectively ' buyer beware. A bit annoyed as its only the second time have used it. Anyone had an out of warranty repair completed by Chord?.

A one year warranty starts counting from the purchasing date on a official seller's receipt.

Or gets rejected if Chord thinks the unit is tampered with.. if the latter is the case they should communicate first and quote i guess.

 

[Roybenz]

When Will qutest 2 come out?

 

[uzi2]

When Will qutest 2 come out?

What improvements are you expecting in Qutest 2?

 

[miketlse]

You could still have a long wait.
At the start of this year Rob Watts was managing expectations by pointing out that the current global chip shortage, meant that the lead time for some components that he needed for testing of prototype boards was of the order of 12 months.
Since then I have seen no reports that the chip shortage is over, so I am not optimistic that 'normal service' with new Chord products will be possible in the near future.
True that the new xScaler seems still to be next in the pipeline for Q4 or Q1, but Chord are very tight lipped otherwise.

Just my personal view, but with the current economic outlook, I am not confident of many new products before 2024.

 

[Charente]

What improvements are you expecting in Qutest 2?

Indeed ... as a relatively new owner of the QUTEST, I think it is superb as it is and I don't know how one could improve it significantly. Although perhaps the MOJO 2 DSP-HD might be nice.

 

[miketlse]

Not sure if my defective qutest is within warranty, or not. I doubt the dealer will do anything as it was taken by them as a px, so its effectively ' buyer beware. A bit annoyed as its only the second time have used it. Anyone had an out of warranty repair completed by Chord?.

Quite a few owners if you search the threads.
Chord often go the extra mile for owners who are out of warranty.
But if you don't ask the initial question by contacting Chord support, the answer will always be no.................

 

[Jetblack08]

What improvements are you expecting in Qutest 2?

A compatible, cheaper M-Scaler for the Qutest would be nice.

 

[JelStIy]

The buttons on mine are sticking and operating randomly. Anyone else had this issue?

I had that issue. It helps to flip the device over and then back again. I discovered this accidentally when I was looking for the serial number. I did it a few times when stickiness happened and now they never stick anymore.