Review and Measurements of CHORD Qutest DAC

[Jimbob54]

Beer

Moar beer! *gets urge to go to fridge*

 

[Angsty]

This video from Benchmark, shared earlier on another thread here, convinced me that my bias against switching power supplies in favor of linear power supplies was flawed.

Edit: with an accompanying article from Benchmark...

https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/ap...audio-myth-switching-power-supplies-are-noisy

 

[JohnYang1997]

This video from Benchmark, shared earlier on another thread here, convinced me that my bias against switching power supplies in favor of linear power supplies was flawed.

Not really. The first half of the videos are all SMPS for various consumer devices. It's possible to shield the transformer too. Both can have high interference or low interference. It's a matter of the care and effort to deal with these.
Also you can see that once the charger is a few inches away there's essentially no noise. That's why for all these years this is not a very prominent problem. (but it's usually some degree of problem just Not as bad as demonstrated).
So there isn't much takeaway here. Probably for studios, use starquad cables, that's it.

 

[Angsty]

Also you can see that once the charger is a few inches away there's essentially no noise.

Apologies that my edit happened before your response registered in my thread. My only point was that I was wrong in thinking that all switching power supplies produced more noise than all linear power supplies. The Benchmark video and article debunked that myth for me.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Apologies that my edit happened before your response registered in my thread. My only point was that I was wrong in thinking that all switching power supplies produced more noise than all linear power supplies. The Benchmark video and article debunked that myth for me.

Okay. I understand.
There's also another thing is that with SMPS, it's difficult to get clean low frequency in single-end. With balanced, perfect. Best solution for single ended (not elegant) is to use external linear supply that has minimum leakage.

 

[20396]

@amirm

question: topping D90MQA or Chrodette and 2Qute DACs

totally different taste but , if base on data, which ones batter

 

[JohnYang1997]

@amirm

question: topping D90MQA or Chrodette and 2Qute DACs

totally different taste but , if base on data, which ones batter

D90 non mqa version.

 

[20396]

D90 non mqa version.

D90 info

 

[JohnYang1997]

D90 info


View attachment 79441

I meant I recommend standard version which saves a few bucks for you.

 

[Veri]

D90 info


View attachment 79441

MQA logo as a feature, hahaaa

 

[ShiZo]

That multitone is extremely clean compared to other dacs in that generation.

 

[Gradius]

I would pay more for the non mqa version.

 

[Pritaudio]

Still a huge step up from the chord mojo.
comparable to rme adi 2 dac, with or without a linear power supply.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Still a huge step up from the chord mojo.
comparable to rme adi 2 dac, with or without a linear power supply.

Power supply doesn't matter at all. As Rob Watts said himself countless times.

That multitone is extremely clean compared to other dacs in that generation.

Yep. I didn't notice at first, but yes: this is stellar performance. The "BAD STUFF" marking is a bit misleading considering it happens around - 130dB.

 

[deafenears]

Yep. I didn't notice at first, but yes: this is stellar performance. The "BAD STUFF" marking is a bit misleading considering it happens around - 130dB.

But also look at the offset from 0dBV.

 

[Sam Spade]

I've ordered a Qutest and it is on its way to go with a Spako Aries head amp /pre amp. Neither are balanced. Marantz CD80, PC and A&K SP1000M as sources. It's mainly for headphone use in my home office. I considered the RME Adi but i dont need an amp. Looking forward to getting it.

In contrast my main system is fully balanced. Cambridge audio 840C cd/dac to Burson conductor 3x reference dac/headamp/preamp to Rotel RB1080 power amp.

Balanced is not a deal breaker for some combos. In others it is essential. My 2 aystems are examples

 

[Veri]

Balanced is not a deal breaker for some combos. In others it is essential. My 2 systems are examples

No, it's often not needed that's true. But the retail price of the Qutest is USD $1895. I would kinda expected a 2.5mm/4.4mm or XLR output in this price range. You have sub $300 DACs that have proper balanced XLRs in addition to the RCAs...

 

[Dealux]

Would it be stupid to get this for $1100 new? I kinda like the design in some ways but I am worried about ground loops somewhat and the D30Pro will be cheaper by a significant margin.

 

[JohnYang1997]

Would it be stupid to get this for $1100 new? I kinda like the design in some ways but I am worried about ground loops somewhat and the D30Pro will be cheaper by a significant margin.

Or similar performance with D10s. Ground loop is an issue tho.

 

[Dealux]

Or similar performance with D10s. Ground loop is an issue tho.

I guess the novelty of Chord stuff is the FPGA tech.