Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[JoinDivision]

I just got a Qutest and so far really liking the sound but the lights are killing me. I useit in a bedroom set up and I get a colored light show on my ceiling since you can’t power down or disable the lights. I think I have it in the lowest setting.

Anyone know if I unplug it daily when I go to bed If that is bad for the unit? Anyone else have a similar annoyance and found a reasonable solution? I’ll admit I’m pretty frustrated with this aspect of it. Hate to consider getting rid of it just because of a light.

Thanks everyone.

Same. I messaged Rob Watts about it to suggest that future iterations have an 'off' setting for the lights. He acknowledged the issue, but his opinion is that he wants the user to be able to tell if the device is on or off and proposed that an 'ultra dim' setting might be implemented for future models. In the meantime I just put a black sock over the lights, it's better to just leave it on 24/7 and put something on top to obscure the lights.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

I just got a Qutest and so far really liking the sound but the lights are killing me. I useit in a bedroom set up and I get a colored light show on my ceiling since you can’t power down or disable the lights. I think I have it in the lowest setting.

Anyone know if I unplug it daily when I go to bed If that is bad for the unit? Anyone else have a similar annoyance and found a reasonable solution? I’ll admit I’m pretty frustrated with this aspect of it. Hate to consider getting rid of it just because of a light.

Thanks everyone.

You know you can dim the lights of the Qutest right? Just press both buttons at the same time. If that is still too much for you, unplug it.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

I would say , don't worry ,unplug it during your sleeping hours. I have both Qutest and Mscaler and have noticed no problems turning both off over night for years.
With horrendous electricity costs in many countries these days, leaving any electronics on at night when not in use seems like not exactly the "brightest" thing to do to either.
Pun intended.
I even suspect the lack of on/off switch on both was a "penny pinching" choice just as the micro usb power connection on Qutest.
Those annoying Disco Lights projected onto my white ceiling at night have even made me use an Airline eye-pillow for my last late night headphones listening hour.
I solved the problem with both lacking on/off switches by having them both on the same power list with an on/off switch.
In their defence I have to say that together Qutest and Mscaler make quite a strong team. But only as a team. Qutest on is own is not good enough for me except possibly with the latest version of PGGB or other pre-upsampled 24/32 bits/705/768khz involved?

You can also use a smart switch and turn it off with your phone via an app. That would make it a lot easier.

 

[mchuckp]

You know you can dim the lights of the Qutest right? Just press both buttons at the same time. If that is still too much for you, unplug it.

Yeah I did that. In an office environment, I’m sure it isn’t that big of a deal. But in a small bedroom, it is still very bright and throws colored reflections around the room including my ceiling. . Not ideal for sleeping.

I have easy access to just hit the power switch on my surge protector. Only thing plugged into it is my Qutest and my tube amp. Guess my main concern is if it was “bad” for the Qutest to be turned on and off all the time via a break in power. Maybe I’ll double check w chord directly. If no biggie, I can do that. If it isn’t good for the unit I guess I’ll have to find a work around or not keep it. Hate the idea of getting rid of gear over a light. Wish they would have built in an option. Just make the last dim option as off.

Oh well. I’m sure I’m in the minority using it in a bedroom set up.

 

[GuiltyRocker]

Yeah I did that. In an office environment, I’m sure it isn’t that big of a deal. But in a small bedroom, it is still very bright and throws colored reflections around the room including my ceiling. . Not ideal for sleeping.

I have easy access to just hit the power switch on my surge protector. Only thing plugged into it is my Qutest and my tube amp. Guess my main concern is if it was “bad” for the Qutest to be turned on and off all the time via a break in power. Maybe I’ll double check w chord directly. If no biggie, I can do that. If it isn’t good for the unit I guess I’ll have to find a work around or not keep it. Hate the idea of getting rid of gear over a light. Wish they would have built in an option. Just make the last dim option as off.

Oh well. I’m sure I’m in the minority using it in a bedroom set up.

Use a smart plug to switch it off with your phone, you can even use a schedule that the smart plug will turn it off at the time you usually sleep, so you don't even have to use the app, Wemo plug can do that and plenty of others.

 

[Christer]

You can also use a smart switch and turn it off with your phone via an app. That would make it a lot easier.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I belong in the stubborn minority still without a smartphone. A very small foldable and very pocketable Mobile phone yes off course, and since years the only telephone I need. I bought my current mobile phone new for around 40 USD.
I have computers for all my Internet and apps needs. The BBC had an interesting article online a few days ago on how dependent especially young people have become of their smartphones quoting the average young American checking their iPhones 344 times a day!
I do not want to get addicted to a too big and heavy little mini -screen computer with the added benefit that it can also be used to make phone calls on top of keeping check on who has posted what they had for dinner last night on Facebook or watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster on its Megascreen.
And all I have to do a night when turning off my Qutest /Mscaler combo and headphone amp, all three on the same power connection, is to stretch an arm out and flip a switch and off they go. Very simple and no apps needed. And it is a Very Smart switch. I just flip it with a fingertip twice a day and on or off it goes on my command.
PS Keep enjoying your Qutest/Mscaler. I do every day.
Good Unamplifed Acoustic Music in good SQ is an addiction I find difficult to resist.
PS 2 I also turn off my simple little mobile phone at night to avoid any unwanted late night or early during my daily morning Yoga practice phone calls, and especially anoying sms bings.

Cheers Christer

 

[Reactcore]

Use a smart plug to switch it off with your phone, you can even use a schedule that the smart plug will turn it off at the time you usually sleep, so you don't even have to use the app, Wemo plug can do that and plenty of others.

I wouldnt use a smartplug for the only reason they have a integrated switching smps inside direct coupled to Qutest psu mains

 

[GuiltyRocker]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I belong in the stubborn minority still without a smartphone. A very small foldable and very pocketable Mobile phone yes off course, and since years the only telephone I need. I bought my current mobile phone new for around 40 USD.
I have computers for all my Internet and apps needs. The BBC had an interesting article online a few days ago on how dependent especially young people have become of their smartphones quoting the average young American checking their iPhones 344 times a day!
I do not want to get addicted to a too big and heavy little mini -screen computer with the added benefit that it can also be used to make phone calls on top of keeping check on who has posted what they had for dinner last night on Facebook or watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster on its Megascreen.
And all I have to do a night when turning off my Qutest /Mscaler combo and headphone amp, all three on the same power connection, is to stretch an arm out and flip a switch and off they go. Very simple and no apps needed. And it is a Very Smart switch. I just flip it with a fingertip twice a day and on or off it goes on my command.
PS Keep enjoying your Qutest/Mscaler. I do every day.
Good Unamplifed Acoustic Music in good SQ is an addiction I find difficult to resist.
PS 2 I also turn off my simple little mobile phone at night to avoid any unwanted late night or early during my daily morning Yoga practice phone calls, and especially anoying sms bings.

Cheers Christer

Not disappointed at all, I find it refreshing that you're keeping it old school. I recently read a book called "Stolen Focus" that talks about the device addiction and the lost of focus as a result. I think we should dial back using these devices and go back to interacting more with other human beings and doing more meaningful things, kudos to you sir.

 

[dnnaudio]

Hi Christer, did you get a chance to hear the Qutest w/ a real good PSU? I have two Qutests both using IFI Elite PSU and found it to be a significant improvement. Interested to hear what you think how this compares w/ Qutest w/ msacaler.

 

[Christer]

Hi Christer, did you get a chance to hear the Qutest w/ a real good PSU? I have two Qutests both using IFI Elite PSU and found it to be a significant improvement. Interested to hear what you think how this compares w/ Qutest w/ msacaler.

I have not tried any of the really expensive Farad and other PSU options discussed here, but I used my Qutest with a battery powered psu until its rechargeable battery died last summer and I have been unable to find a replacement battery where I live.
I really hope to travel again next winter and spend all winter in Asia as I used to do for so many years. I will go back to using it that way again if possible. I found the cheap wallwart thingy supplied a bit hard and thin and preferred using the battery PSU on my travels and even at home.Not a night and day difference in my home system where i try to avoid ground loops and use "low rad" power, but even here a slightly lower noise floor and a wee bit warmer is how I remember it compared to the stock power unit. But essential in some situations in SE-Asia where power can be "dirty".
Mscaler on the other hand I have never heard with anything else than its stock smps and in some places in Thailand even I had difficulty hearing much benefit from it connected where power was "dirty.
The most important change I have made was to add Wave Storm BNC to my Mscaler.
I will check if the IFI Elite PSU you mention is available here.
Cheers Christer

 

[dnnaudio]

In my case the IFI Elite gave a quieter and more robust presentation. I think the more popular option is an Sbooster w/c I wanted to compare but did not get a chance. The IFI Elite was more readily available where I am. The Qutest is now 6 years old it is likely Chord has something in the works to replace it so I am hesitating to go w/ an Mscaler for upgrade.

 

[Charente]

In my case the IFI Elite gave a quieter and more robust presentation. I think the more popular option is an Sbooster w/c I wanted to compare but did not get a chance. The IFI Elite was more readily available where I am. The Qutest is now 6 years old it is likely Chord has something in the works to replace it so I am hesitating to go w/ an Mscaler for upgrade.

Is it not the case that the iFi power supplies, whilst giving clean power to the connected device, they also leak more than usual 'noise' into the mains which may affect other components' performance ?

 

[dnnaudio]

Not sure but I am using a Shunyata Denali V2 w/c would block whatever noise the IFI could throw back. Did not try it w/o a PLC. Others have reported quite positive results of Qutest - Elite combo.

 

[TechnoJazz]

In my case, using an IFI Power Elite was disappointing. I bought one to connect my Qutest and without music playing I noticed a very low buzzz noise, noticeable when I got close to the Speakers. I immediately tried the supplied power supply again and no noise.
I thought it could be this IFI unit, took it to the Dealer and tried it in a very Hig End system they had in there and there it was the same noise. We tried another IFI unit from a sealed box and exactly the same noise.
So I decided that the IFI Power Elite was not compatible with the Chord Qutest, at best scenario.

I decided to try the SBooster and... no bzzz noise at all, dead silent and I notice a better performance than with the supplied power supply.

Do you people using the IFI Power Elite notice any bzzz noise when you are close to your speakers?

 

[iFi audio]

Do you people using the IFI Power Elite notice any bzzz noise when you are close to your speakers?

Just to clarify, in most cases any buzz on speakers implies issues with grounding somewhere. I'm not sure how yours and your reseller's setup looked like, but in general, with iPower Elite one shouldn't hear any such noise when everything is grounded correctly. Thanks!