danypel
New Head-Fier
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- Jan 5, 2016
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This is most interesting because 3V vs 2V is a 4dB difference so the SNR of the Qutest would not be dramatically reduced. So my personal speculation is this: Freya volume control is more transparent at a lower volume setting. By operating the Qutest at 3V, you’re letting the Freya volume to be set at 4dB lower and most preamplifiers have optimal volumes where you get the best linearity and lowest noise which results in most transparency. I suspect that’s the most likely reason why it’s easier for you now to hear the benefits of Qutest.
That said, I definitely have a couple of friends whose preamplifiers would clip if you feed a 3V input which is why the 2V and 1V options are there.
Very interesting your explanation and really very reasonable. The difference between Node 2 and Qutest is very clear when the Chord is set to 3v. Not so when it is in 2v where I find it difficult to find the differences, the sound is more anemic and congested. Now, the striking thing is that the output of Node 2 is 2v (or at least when the Qutest is set to 2v the volume seems level) and it could be that then that also makes the Bluesound not sound quite right with the Freya, and not so much the difference in quality of both dacs ... I hope you understand what I mean. Thank you.