Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[Hooster]

You would have to pose your question to @Rob Watts but various answers might be that although they look like 50 ohm they are in reality 75 ohm or another answer might be that in real terms it makes no difference to the functioning of the connection on those DACs.

Either way, one can say with absolute certainty for anyone seeking to know which termination to use on cables they are buying they should use 75 ohm connectors and cables.

If you just want to pursue the theoretical question then Rob is the man to answer but from answers elsewhere he is super busy at the moment.

Why keep bothering Rob? He does not even work for Chord. Is it too much to ask that someone who actually works for Chord gets off their rear end and answers simple questions about their products?

If you are reading this, Rob, keep up the good work and please tell Chord to be more helpful.

So, let's try again.

Dear PR person at Chord.

Why do "Chord Qutest, TT2, Mscaler all come with 50 Ohm BNC connectors, not the "proper" 75 Ohm connectors."?

 

[Triode User]

Why keep bothering Rob? He does not even work for Chord. Is it too much to ask that someone who actually works for Chord gets off their rear end and answers simple questions about their products?

If you are reading this, Rob, keep up the good work and please tell Chord to be more helpful.

So, let's try again.

Dear PR person at Chord.

Why do "Chord Qutest, TT2, Mscaler all come with 50 Ohm BNC connectors, not the "proper" 75 Ohm connectors."?

I think you are trying, not for the first time, to create a storm in a teacup.

You have been given a link to a post by Rob where he explains that the 50 ohm sockets are of no consequence technically.

I would say that it is possible that they were selected because the centre part of the sockets on the 50 ohm ones are more robust and less susceptible to damage compared to the 75 ohm ones. I am guessing though.

What seems certain though is that the purchasers of those DACs have not been short changed in terms of the technical performance of what they get.

So, remind me again what is the point of your repeated questioning on this?

 

[Hooster]

I think you are trying, not for the first time, to create a storm in a teacup.

You have been given a link to a post by Rob where he explains that the 50 ohm sockets are of no consequence technically.

I would say that it is possible that they were selected because the centre part of the sockets on the 50 ohm ones are more robust and less susceptible to damage compared to the 75 ohm ones. I am guessing though.

What seems certain though is that the purchasers of those DACs have not been short changed in terms of the technical performance of what they get.

So, remind me again what is the point of your repeated questioning on this?

I suggest you get off your high horse and mind your own business. I have a genuine question regarding these connectors and I would appreciate a proper answer. Not heckling from other forum members.

 

[technobear]

I suggest you get off your high horse and mind your own business. I have a genuine question regarding these connectors and I would appreciate a proper answer. Not heckling from other forum members.

The answer was linked to in this post on the previous page yesterday afternoon but you were too busy whining to notice.

Here is the link: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-electronics-hugo-2-the-official-thread.831345/post-15579440

 

[Hooster]

The answer was linked to in this post on the previous page yesterday afternoon but you were too busy whining to notice.

Here is the link: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-electronics-hugo-2-the-official-thread.831345/post-15579440

That does not answer my question.

 

[HumanMedia]

My guess is that it is all about cost. Lower spec 50ohm BNC are always much cheaper than tightly speccd 70ohm connectors whenever I look at prices at retail suppliers. Maybe there are mountains of them left over from the days of coax ethernet. Perhaps the savings were best used elsewhere with bigger impact. Just a guess.

 

[bpcans]

I’m wondering if getting a Chord M-Scaler to go with my Qutest would be a good move, or should I just save up and get the Chord DAVE to take my listening experience to the next level? My feeling is that going for the Hugo TT2 would be an intermediate move, whereas getting the DAVE would open up my listening by adding a speaker system to go along with my new Grado GS3000e headphones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hooster]

I’m wondering if getting a Chord M-Scaler to go with my Qutest would be a good move, or should I just save up and get the Chord DAVE to take my listening experience to the next level? My feeling is that going for the Hugo TT2 would be an intermediate move, whereas getting the DAVE would open up my listening by adding a speaker system to go along with my new Grado GS3000e headphones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

By all means, get a Dave but you don't need a Dave to add a speaker system...

 

[bpcans]

By all means, get a Dave but you don't need a Dave to add a speaker system...

Yes sir Hooter. Adding the Chord Qutest to my headphone system was an illumination.

 

[GreenBow]

I’m wondering if getting a Chord M-Scaler to go with my Qutest would be a good move, or should I just save up and get the Chord DAVE to take my listening experience to the next level? My feeling is that going for the Hugo TT2 would be an intermediate move, whereas getting the DAVE would open up my listening by adding a speaker system to go along with my new Grado GS3000e headphones. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In your position with the choices you have laid out, there is no bad option.

Once you move to DAVE or TT2 you can do away with a headphone amp. It will be an upgrade on many fronts. Buying an M-Scaler is by all accounts a brilliant move too.

If you are asking what would I do. Like you, I have no idea. It would depend on what I wanted where. Am not thinking about any of it though, because as of now I am happy with TT2.

I have a Qutest as back up, in case my TT2 goes for repair. Plus it does menial work like YouTube etc. If I moved my TT2 or it went for repair, I would use Qutest for amplifier. Then Hugo 2 for headphones, so I never ran line level to an amplifier, and headphone out from my Hugo 2. Just so I never accidentally blow my ears out.

TT2 is also capable of driving speakers to reasonable volume. (As is DAVE but no as loud.) Meaning TT2 is sort of ambidextrous. TT2 driving speakers is mind-boggling.

 

[bpcans]

In your position with the choices you have laid out, there is no bad option.

Once you move to DAVE or TT2 you can do away with a headphone amp. It will be an upgrade on many fronts. Buying an M-Scaler is by all accounts a brilliant move too.

If you are asking what would I do. Like you, I have no idea. It would depend on what I wanted where. Am not thinking about any of it though, because as of now I am happy with TT2.

I have a Qutest as back up, in case my TT2 goes for repair. Plus it does menial work like YouTube etc. If I moved my TT2 or it went for repair, I would use Qutest for amplifier. Then Hugo 2 for headphones, so I never ran line level to an amplifier, and headphone out from my Hugo 2. Just so I never accidentally blow my ears out.

TT2 is also capable of driving speakers to reasonable volume. (As is DAVE but no as loud.) Meaning TT2 is sort of ambidextrous. TT2 driving speakers is mind-boggling.

I auditioned my Grado GS3000e’s thru a Chord Hugo TT2 and a Focal amp, which is what sold me on the headphones. I’d like to upgrade my amp considering that my next move if I wanted to stay with a Woo amp would be going to their WA22 which costs $2,500 not including upgraded tubes. So now I would be at close to $4K with the appropriate cables. I’ve read that the TT2 is a good middle ground, but I find the DAVE to be intriguing option given all of my other options.

 

[moemoney]

In your position with the choices you have laid out, there is no bad option.

Once you move to DAVE or TT2 you can do away with a headphone amp. It will be an upgrade on many fronts. Buying an M-Scaler is by all accounts a brilliant move too.

If you are asking what would I do. Like you, I have no idea. It would depend on what I wanted where. Am not thinking about any of it though, because as of now I am happy with TT2.

I have a Qutest as back up, in case my TT2 goes for repair. Plus it does menial work like YouTube etc. If I moved my TT2 or it went for repair, I would use Qutest for amplifier. Then Hugo 2 for headphones, so I never ran line level to an amplifier, and headphone out from my Hugo 2. Just so I never accidentally blow my ears out.

TT2 is also capable of driving speakers to reasonable volume. (As is DAVE but no as loud.) Meaning TT2 is sort of ambidextrous. TT2 driving speakers is mind-boggling.

Just based on these pages that I’ve been reading it seems like the Dave is a good choice but he can’t play headphones that require a lot of power like the abyss and the hifiman susvara with the Dave you would need a headphone amp to make Those two headphones come alive. If you go with a TT2 you will have more choices. If you want to add speakers or drive hard to drive headphones no problem. I have the best of both worlds the MTT2 and Woo Audio wa 5LE, SS some days Tubes others And both can play almost any headphone.

 

[faivecr]

Hello. I'm about to buy a Chord Qutest. I have a Chord Mojo, a cheap Schiit Multibit and a Topping E30 and the internal dac (ESS SABRE) that comes with my NAD M10. Though scientists say there's no difference in sound between DAC, I can hear some difference between those DACs, mostly when comparing the MOJO vs the E30. Because the upgrade bug has bitten me and I'm always trying to get better sound, I pointing towards the Qutest based on all the great reviews I've read.

My simple question is: Being that my preference is on the most analytical/most detailed possible sound, do you think the Qutest is the right DAC to choose or do you know a better one in that analytical/detailed sound? I love hearing each and every subtle details of the recording as well as having the best imaging and soundstage possible.

Would you recommend me the Qutest? I do my hearing basically using streaming services like TIDAL MASTERS and QOBUZ HI - RES. I know the QUTEST doesnt handle MQA files but I guess the HI RES versions on QOBUZ should be the same? I'm also willing to buy music at HDTRACKS.

Thank you very much for your suggestions and recommendations!

 

[RobertSM]

Just bought a new Chord Qutest DAC last week and I absolutely love it! It’s on the chain going from my MacBook Pro to my WOO Audio WA6 amp and then out to my Grado GS3000e headphones. The Audioquest Earth RCA interconnects and an Audioquest Diamond USB work perfectly in this setup.

Nice rig!

I run a very similar setup. Macbook pro-->Chord Qutest-->Woo Audio WA6-SE-->ZMF Verite headphones. This system brings me great joy!

 

[bpcans]

Nice rig!

I run a very similar setup. Macbook pro-->Chord Qutest-->Woo Audio WA6-SE-->ZMF Verite headphones. This system brings me great joy!

Thanks for responding RobertSM. I thought for a minute that I might be the only one running a similar setup. In the last few days I’ve found myself being pulled and prodded toward getting the Chord Hugo TT2 DAC/headphone amplifier, which I know to be a great piece of gear because I auditioned my Grado GS3000e’s thru one. But ultimately I’m a tube guy who enjoys looking at the glowing glass tubes. My next stop on the train to audio nirvana might be a Woo WA22 fully balanced amp.