Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[headstef]

I can no longer change the filter on my Qutest. I had set to orange for a while, then I decided to go back to white, which requires cycling through the other filters, and it's stuck on the red one. I unplugged it for a while and tried again, but no joy. Any suggestions?

For a while I thought that the buttons of my unit became somewhat sticky and stopped changing their setting but then I discovered a solution: I press them mostly from the front towards the back, not from top to bottom. This way they never stick and are able to change the settings every time. I hope this will work for you too.
However it is a weakness of design as I have read others complaining for the same situation. I hope @Rob Watts / Chord will take this into account for any future designs - or hopefully drop this aesthetically controversial button scheme.

 

[Klabauters]

I can no longer change the filter on my Qutest. I had set to orange for a while, then I decided to go back to white, which requires cycling through the other filters, and it's stuck on the red one. I unplugged it for a while and tried again, but no joy. Any suggestions?

... probably the button got stuck ? ... had this issue on one of my older Qutests (which was in those days still under warranty) and received the following answer from chord:

Dear Sir, sorry to hear this

It sounds like there might be debris in the button aperture. With regards to a sticking button, this process would not affect your warranty status if you feel up to attempting it; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqZ2LpNA01Y

All the best
.....

Maybe you can try it out -> good Luck

On the newer Qutests the hardware has been "udpated" on the buttons (glass plugs have been shortened a bit) and there are two small plastic spacers clipped onto the PCB where the glass buttons hit the switches on the PCB, to enhance the force in pushing back the buttons and to avoid the buttons not pushed back correctly.

There is also a service kit available to adapt older Qutests accordingly, though not sure about the price on this kit, when out of warranty - I will check on the weekend, if I can find the video.

 

[ChristoT]

I can no longer change the filter on my Qutest. I had set to orange for a while, then I decided to go back to white, which requires cycling through the other filters, and it's stuck on the red one. I unplugged it for a while and tried again, but no joy. Any suggestions?

I have the same problem for a quite while now. Since my unit is already out of warranty and where I live there are no feasible repair options anyway, I opened the chassis carefully and noticed that the functioning properly button has a small transparent sticker over the chip where the button is making contact with it, which was missing under the non-working one. Seemed like there’s nothing I could do about it so I just keep using my Qutest just with the single filter it is stuck on. Good luck with your issue and please share here if you find a solution.

 

[Fugue]

@headstef pushing front to back worked--thank you! And thanks for the other replies, too.

 

[ChristoT]

... probably the button got stuck ? ... had this issue on one of my older Qutests (which was in those days still under warranty) and received the following answer from chord:



Maybe you can try it out -> good Luck

On the newer Qutests the hardware has been "udpated" on the buttons (glass plugs have been shortened a bit) and there are two small plastic spacers clipped onto the PCB where the glass buttons hit the switches on the PCB, to enhance the force in pushing back the buttons and to avoid the buttons not pushed back correctly.

There is also a service kit available to adapt older Qutests accordingly, though not sure about the price on this kit, when out of warranty - I will check on the weekend, if I can find the video.

Interesting. Do I understand correctly that this is a kit for applying new plastic spacers over the PCB contacts?

 

[headstef]

@Klaubaters pushing front to back worked--thank you! And thanks for the other replies, too.

So my suggestion worked for you, too? Nice to hear!

 

[Fugue]

So my suggestion worked for you, too? Nice to hear!

Oops, I thanked the wrong person--yours was the suggestion that worked! I corrected my original post.

 

[Twangsta]

Was considering getting a Qutest as there's a very good deal on, I currently have a mojo2 and monarch mk2 iem which I really like. Reading some of the comparisons had me tempted for a while, the only amp I have is an original Lehmann Black Cube Linear that I used to use with my HD800 that I still have. I tried the mojo 2 in to the amp and remembered why I retired it, the amp has a V signature that I didn't like over more neutral presentation. I'd be out of budget if I got the Qutest and then have to buy an amp. So close

 

[knownothing2]

Was considering getting a Qutest as there's a very good deal on, I currently have a mojo2 and monarch mk2 iem which I really like. Reading some of the comparisons had me tempted for a while, the only amp I have is an original Lehmann Black Cube Linear that I used to use with my HD800 that I still have. I tried the mojo 2 in to the amp and remembered why I retired it, the amp has a V signature that I didn't like over more neutral presentation. I'd be out of budget if I got the Qutest and then have to buy an amp. So close

I own both a Mojo2 and Qutest. The Mojo2 is remarkable for the cost and what it can do. The Qutest is better, but the amp…

 

[jjazzy]

Was considering getting a Qutest as there's a very good deal on, I currently have a mojo2 and monarch mk2 iem which I really like. Reading some of the comparisons had me tempted for a while, the only amp I have is an original Lehmann Black Cube Linear that I used to use with my HD800 that I still have. I tried the mojo 2 in to the amp and remembered why I retired it, the amp has a V signature that I didn't like over more neutral presentation. I'd be out of budget if I got the Qutest and then have to buy an amp. So close

The qutest is a very good dac, above many others for the money, can even be upgraded with a mscaler.

It was my first chord dac, now having the tt2+MS, still already my end game for two years now

 

[GuiltyRocker]

The qutest is a very good dac, above many others for the money, can even be upgraded with a mscaler.

It was my first chord dac, now having the tt2+MS, still already my end game for two years now

It was my first Chord DAC as well, in fact, I still have it. Love the little Qutest.

 

[jjazzy]

It was my first Chord DAC as well, in fact, I still have it. Love the little Qutest.

I sold it… still regret it

 

[JaquesGelee]

A friend of mine printed the stand for me. Many thanks to the creator!

 

[Shetzu]

Hello All. I finally took the jump and got the Chord Qutest as my desktop Dac. I had plans to get the Denafrips Enyo 15th, Gustard R26 but finally bought the Qutest. I do have the chord mojo which I guess most of you have but this will surely change the game.

 

[Reactcore]

Hello All. I finally took the jump and got the Chord Qutest as my desktop Dac. I had plans to get the Denafrips Enyo 15th, Gustard R26 but finally bought the Qutest. I do have the chord mojo which I guess most of you have but this will surely change the game.

A fine choice!
Is has great synergy with your HD800