Chord Electronics Qutest DAC - Official Thread

[Shetzu]

A fine choice!
Is has great synergy with your HD800

Thank you. Could You suggest som good reasonably priced Linear Power Supply for the Qutest. If You have few links it would be an additional bonus. Do I actually need a LPS? Is the accompanied adapter with qutest not good just curious.

 

[Adu]

 

[trashkpi]

Thank you. Could You suggest som good reasonably priced Linear Power Supply for the Qutest. If You have few links it would be an additional bonus. Do I actually need a LPS? Is the accompanied adapter with qutest not good just curious.

The creator of the Qutest stated that using an LPS with the Qutest doesn’t make sense, as it provides no improvement in sound quality.

 

[Reactcore]

Thank you. Could You suggest som good reasonably priced Linear Power Supply for the Qutest. If You have few links it would be an additional bonus. Do I actually need a LPS? Is the accompanied adapter with qutest not good just curious.

A battery would be best bc it takes Qutest off the mains, ideally a battery with linear 5v regulation instead of switchmode.

 

[lexx21]

I am going to use an Allo Shanti supply.

 

[Epiteto]

Has the Chord Qutest received a PCB update in the last months?
I'm asking because I saw a listing mentioning a warranty service where the board was replaced with the latest version.
Thanks!

 

[miketlse]

Has the Chord Qutest received a PCB update in the last months?
I'm asking because I saw a listing mentioning a warranty service where the board was replaced with the latest version.
Thanks!

You could email support@chordelectronics.co.uk and they should be able to tell you.

 

[Rob Watts]

Has the Chord Qutest received a PCB update in the last months?
I'm asking because I saw a listing mentioning a warranty service where the board was replaced with the latest version.
Thanks!

Absolutely no change at all, nor to the FPGA code. The last change was in 2020, with a minor component package update on one part, so there have been no significant changes since production started.

 

[icnaiwhimor1975]

Hi there,

I recently tried Chord and was impressed by the sound quality.

Yesterday, I designed and printed a stand for it, which turned out quite well.

If anyone is interested, I can share the file.

I need a stand like this for dave)))

 

[trashkpi]

I need a stand like this for dave)))

I can make it if you are willing to send me the dave for some time )

 

[Shetzu]

Since I got my Qutest 5 days back I have been literally enjoying it and mesmerized in its sound quality . I faced a small hitch recently. While I tried to use it with my old Macbook air mid 2011 for the 1st time I go some background noise and the sound was very thin unlike what I had been listening too. I use Qobuz streaming through Audirvana and my settings are all correct and set to DOP in audio setting of Audirvana. I also had to increase the volume knob of my Burson Soloist MKii Amp to 12 o'clock whereas my normal setting is always at 10-11o'clock. Gain is set at high on my amp.
As I could not make out the issue of the distorted sound, I did some google search, checked this forum and decided to set the Qutest output voltage to 2volt RMS (GREEN). After I did this it worked flawlessly like it should with its great sound and quality and indeed I was pleased.

I have a question. What output voltage setting the Qutest comes out of the box?. Is setting the Qutest output voltage to 2volt RMS (GREEN ) okay while using external amps or it should be left to 1 volt RMS (RED). Also some user manual online shows 2volts as blue colour and some show it as green. I am confused which to follow and what rating is the right one to set, perhaps I should refer to the enclosed manual in the box and correct it

 

[cats4cans]

Since I got my Qutest 5 days back I have been literally enjoying it and mesmerized in its sound quality . I faced a small hitch recently. While I tried to use it with my old Macbook air mid 2011 for the 1st time I go some background noise and the sound was very thin unlike what I had been listening too. I use Qobuz streaming through Audirvana and my settings are all correct and set to DOP in audio setting of Audirvana. I also had to increase the volume knob of my Burson Soloist MKii Amp to 12 o'clock whereas my normal setting is always at 10-11o'clock. Gain is set at high on my amp.
As I could not make out the issue of the distorted sound, I did some google search, checked this forum and decided to set the Qutest output voltage to 2volt RMS (GREEN). After I did this it worked flawlessly like it should with its great sound and quality and indeed I was pleased.

I have a question. What output voltage setting the Qutest comes out of the box?. Is setting the Qutest output voltage to 2volt RMS (GREEN ) okay while using external amps or it should be left to 1 volt RMS (RED). Also some user manual online shows 2volts as blue colour and some show it as green. I am confused which to follow and what rating is the right one to set, perhaps I should refer to the enclosed manual in the box and correct it

3V blue
2V green
1V red

3V might clip some input stages, but there isn’t much difference to me between them qualitatively. Theoretically 3V might have better SNR. The lower settings can allow a bit more adjustment for fine tuning volume with sensitive headphones though. I’ve used all 3 at various times. Options are good.

 

[technobear]

I have a question. What output voltage setting the Qutest comes out of the box?

Usually it will be 3 Volts.

Is setting the Qutest output voltage to 2volt RMS (GREEN ) okay while using external amps or it should be left to 1 volt RMS (RED).

Either. Depends on the needs of your amp. Most are designed around 2V nowadays.

Also some user manual online shows 2volts as blue colour and some show it as green. I am confused which to follow and what rating is the right one to set, perhaps I should refer to the enclosed manual in the box and correct it

Look again. The information is not wrong, it is just not in 1,2,3 order.

 

[Shetzu]

Usually it will be 3 Volts.



Either. Depends on the needs of your amp. Most are designed around 2V nowadays.



Look again. The information is not wrong, it is just not in 1,2,3 order.

Thanks. That cleared my doubts.

 

[headstef]

I have not heard any differences between the 2V and 3V setting. The sound quality is at its highest with both through my Lehmann Audio Linear II and any other of my amps (I haven't tested the 1V setting extensively enough to comment). If you have problems with the 3V setting, either there is a malfunction or the amp input is overdriven (not likely).