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Review and Measurements of CHORD Qutest DAC

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amirm

amirm

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Amir, maybe I'm blind but in the SINAD graph in the last several measurement articles I don't see the Oppo-205 listed.
Is the Oppo in a different class\category?
Is it a formatting issue?
Happy New Year.
Love the site.
I deleted it by accident and keep forgetting to put it back in. Happy new year to you too and thanks.
 
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amirm

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@amirm , on their webpage it says the inputs are galvanically isolated so maybe the ground noise loop problem is averted? I still would like balanced but something to note anyways.
That would deal with inbound issues but there can still be mains currents between the DAC and amp.
 

Music1969

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Hi @amirm

The Qutest is meant to be a Hugo2 without the headphone amp and volume control.

So in "DAC only" mode, Hugo2 should measure identically to Qutest (according to Rob).

You previously measured Hugo2 but with your older rig and setup. Are you planning to re-test with your new setup and new tests?

Especially for those headphones users looking for combo DAC/amp?
 

Music1969

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That's good to know. Unfortunately that Hugo 2 was a loaner and there is none being offered to re-test.

Not a problem. Hopefully someone in the US is able to help and loan you one.
 

VintageFlanker

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So in "DAC only" mode, Hugo2 should measure identically to Qutest (according to Rob).
Rob didn't exactly say that. And this is not the case. FPGA part is identical but output stage is designed differently. Hi-Fi News and Hi-Fi World measured both with different results.

Still a very actractive looking unit, by the way. My little picture though the bubble :
image.php
 
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Milt

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Thanks, Amir.
To me this Chord DAC is not for everyone but you can't debate the specs.
If a small DAC w\o XLR that sounds as good as it gets fits a need, boom.
 

confucius_zero

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QuTest performed top class here. Congrats!
 

Music1969

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Rob didn't exactly say that. And this is not the case. FPGA part is identical but output stage is designed differently.

Yep from a design perspective, it's the same FPGA and same code. But even with the slightly different output stage he has told me it measures identical to Qutest (comparing DAC only mode, i.e. RCA outputs), according to him.

I do note HiFi News have slightly different measurements and even Amir had differing measurements, although Amir measured Hugo2 with different setups/gear and different tests.
 
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VintageFlanker

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But even with the slightly different output stage he has told me it measures identical to Qutest (comparing DAC only mode, i.e. RCA outputs), according to him.
It's a bit weird as he said a bit otherwise on Head-Fi thread.

Official specs are for Hugo 2:
THD: <0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω

THD and noise at 3v RMS: 120dB at 1kHz 300ohms ‘A’ wighted (reference 5.3v)

Noise 2.6 uV ‘A’ weighted: No measurable noise floor modulation

Signal to noise ratio: 126dB ‘A’ Weighted

Channel separation: 135dB at 1kHz 300Ω

For Qutest:
THD: <0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω

THD and noise at 3v RMS: 117dB at 1kHz 300ohms ‘A’ weighted (reference 2.5v)

Noise 2.6 uV ‘A’ weighted: No measurable noise floor modulation

Channel separation: 138dB at 1kHz 300Ω

Dynamic range: 124dB A-Weighted

So both don't measure "exactly the same", though very close.
 

Veri

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It's a bit weird as he said a bit otherwise on Head-Fi thread.

Official specs are for Hugo 2:


For Qutest:


So both don't measure "exactly the same", though very close.
Maybe they measure +- the same at the same voltage, while Hugo at the 5.3V has the advantage which makes sense.
 

elira

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As always I think it'll only happen if someone is willing to send him one. As with these other Chords.
Looks like it’s a store that is lending these to amirm, so probably they have one.
 
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