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https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1408218461 Message started by stone_of_tone on 08/16/14 at 20:47:41 |
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Title: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/16/14 at 20:47:41 FedEx came early! Hey, this DAC has no business sounding this good (Redbook), right out of the box with the wall wart that came with it......($1395. delivered) . I look forward to putting 100 hours + on it. Obviously, LR & Palomino have commented on it too...in the PS Audio thread. Palomino is using the upgraded PSU this weekend. I figured with my initial impressions too...it deserves its own thread... . |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by beowulf on 08/17/14 at 23:50:46 I think Palomino has the Hugo (which is their portable DAC) and also their latest technology. Is your Chordette the EX version? If so, this may be very similar to the Hugo, but I believe that the Hugo (even though not as expensive and in a so-so chassis) is considered their best DAC.
I believe Chord will be making a new DAC based on Hugo FPGA coding/tech except in a better chassis, better analog section, better input terminals and upgraded coding. This is the one that I'm holding out for. There is actually two DACs on my radar the new Chord and Tranquility is also coming out with a new one that can do DSD and hi-res files. Keep us posted on your experiences, I'm interested to know the comparisons of your beloved AA stuff for sure! |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/18/14 at 14:01:56 I'll post my impressions vs the Direct Stream on the PS Audio thread, but I'll just say here that the Chord QueteHD (and the EX) benefits greatly from a linear Power Supply. It's not subtle. MUCH tighter bass and huge soundstage are the first comments I would have. I did not invest much in the LPSU given I have so little (relatively speaking) invested in the DAC. I just bought a cheap $150 Chi-fi unit I had some experience with in a 5V version. My son burned it in over the weekend while I was gone. I could tell on the first song I put on that it was a significant improvement. I'll likely buy a USB to SPDIF converter to see what that does for it after I have a baseline with the LPSU. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/18/14 at 15:37:52 Beowulf, I intend to check out the Hugo once the store that I bought the QuteHD from gets another one in. Their first one got damaged in transit. It is supposed to top the QuteHD/EX so I'd like to hear it. Its more than $1K more than what I paid for the Qute, so it would really need to be special before I traded for it (store gives you your original price on trades). |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/18/14 at 18:04:31 http://www.audiostream.com/content/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dsd-dac I am surprised you need the upgraded power supply. With my cables an Speakers...not needed. I agree with Mike here above,...and not just because he is a Minnesota resident brethren ;D. This QuteHD DAC, gets gate array right! With the extra volt of output needed... . Funny, how that works? Mike L, has a nice equipment an cable line up in his main room too. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 08/18/14 at 18:09:38 Quote:
I'm still grumbling about that with the DS. The QuteHD had the push the ZMA likes, and on the RCA side to boot! |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/18/14 at 18:31:13 I saw that review and a lot of others before I bought the QuteHD. Plus I read this one that mentioned the use of a LPSU: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/561-chord-electronics-qutehd-review/ And then I started doing web research on using an upgraded power supply and found it's quite common to upgrade the power supply on the QuteHD. I contacted ted_b (the computer audiophile reviewer) and he suggested strongly that I do it. For $150 and a couple week's wait, I have found it to be a no-brainer, a slam dunk, a (insert audio or other cliché here). I'm also thinking about trying the Matrix USB to SPDIF converter he talks about in the article. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by beowulf on 08/19/14 at 01:01:17 @ Palomino ~ can you give us a brand name or link to the LPSU? THanks. Also iFi makes a really good USB/SPDIF converter. I use a Musical Fidelity V-Link 192 (I'm not sure if this is still in production) and preferred it to the USB input on my DAC, but my Rega DAC USB implementation can't go over 24/96 so my main purpose was just to have to the headroom for hi-res files, but it turned out that the SPDIF sounded quite a bit better to me. My DAC does not have the latest USB asynchronous data transfer mode so in my case SPDIF made a huge difference, however I'm thinking in newer DAC its not going to be as drastic. Here is a review from a guy who's had both come through his listening environment and gives a comparison of the QuteEX vs. Hugo. The Hugo seems to have a little more finesse in most categories and I would say that the upcoming DAC is going to rock. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/19/14 at 01:35:46 Tera Dak. Probably not as good as the $500 units but I just didn't want to spend that kind of money. Definite lift for sure for $150 (listening now). I bought a 5v version for my digital transport a few years ago and it worked pretty well so I thought I would give them another try. I have been looking at USB to spdif units under $250. The current technology seems to be the XMOS chip. If seen that chip in units as low as $130. The matrix seems to have two crystals. As far as I know that is the only difference. It also seems to work pretty seemlessly with the Mac. You can spend a lot more but again, I got this DAC relatively cheap so I don't want to spend more on upgrades than the DAC itself. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/19/14 at 01:40:16 Also I have not read a review yet that felt the qute measured up to the Hugo. However, I have yet to read a comparison where the psu and USB/spdif were used on the qute. Not saying it will but I'd like to hear from someone who has. Ted_b has and has also spent time with the direct stream so I am waiting on the comparisons. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/19/14 at 18:59:12 Yes LR, it is nice to have that extra volt as you have witnessed. I thought I would need to turn the voltage down on my CSP3? However, it is perfect right where it is at with the QuteHD. I hear you on the PSU Palomino. I feel I don't need it with the articulate gate array bass I'm getting with my Rig. But, don't knock it...till I try it. I will get one. Anyway, 37 hours in on the QuteHD. It is doing what my DS did without the reticent laid back sound...(even with the Firmware upgrade)...witnessed by Art Dudley an yours truly. The DS was to overly smooth for me too. The QuteHD puts the color back in with better detail an with the attributes gate array does! The QuteHD begs the question? How much better is the Chord Hugo or even their best DAC for this matter? Especially, for my tastes, having owned the PS Audio DS DAC... . Splitting hairs...law of diminishing returns an all that... . The QuteHD is clearly a canabalizer! If I may create and coin a word here! Kudos to Chord Engineer's! Having said all this... . I also agree with Art, the DS is fairly priced because (my words) you are paying for a preamp with it an firmware updates. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by beowulf on 08/19/14 at 19:47:55 Nice posts guys, I'm really enjoying this thread so far and the Chord sounds like a great piece of kit for the money. @ Stone, I think you would be right in your assessment of splitting hairs between the Qute and Hugo. However I do think the new DAC will be a nice step in improvement upon the Qute/Hugo FPGA coding and fix the other issues related to Hugo's chassis, etc. I'm thinking it's going to be a Hugo on steroids. I hope they can keep the costs reasonable. 8-) |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/19/14 at 20:21:49 I'd send you the power supply to play with but I am enjoying it too much. I got up this morning again to listen and I had to ask myself, how much better than this do I realy need? I still hope to give the Hugo a listen though. Just for the fun of it. I am going to buy a USB to SPDIF converter for the Qute to see what that does for it. Running off the mini is just too convenient. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/21/14 at 14:26:36 Well, last night I think I finally heard what the reviewers have been talking about. It was pretty impressive. I've said since day one that this is a good DAC. I think last night I heard a great DAC. The combo was the Chord with a LPSU fed via SPDIF from my iPod digital transport. The iPod digital transport might not sound that impressive, but I had my Onkyo ND-S1 modified a few years ago to make it low(er) noise and added a LPSU. At the time, the guy who did the mods swore that it rivaled $2K CD transports. I don't think I had a system (or at least a DAC) to show what it could do before now, but I think I believe him. Anyway, what I heard was truly impressive. I did A/B comparisons to the Mac mini using USB output, but it wasn't that close. Especially my first try which was using what I think was a lower priority USB port on the mini. It sounded absolutely muddy compared to the transport via SPDIF. I read on line about some mini-tweaks and one of them was to switch USB ports. I did and this brought it closer to the transport but was noticeably thinner. I'll spare you a lot of the superlatives, but it was more musical in every way. Bass hits hard. So hard in fact that I have to chase down a couple of new vibrations in my room that weren't there before. My little Rachael still does not have the punch of the ZMA, but it's much closer than it was. I am going to experiment with a USB to SPDIF converter because the transport will only do redbook and is generally more of a hassle to use (no volume control, no iphone remote, etc.) So Stone, I think you have been running off a CDP via SPDIF all along, which may explain partially why you didn't feel the need for a LPSU. I think you will still get a lift, but maybe not as much as I experienced. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/21/14 at 16:47:01 It just goes to show how much more USB still needs to be perfected. However, it is a noble pursuit for convenience/access of a music library. I will continue to wait an be a late adopter. I think I'm still going to try the LPSU. But, this FPGA DAC, as you know with your Transport to SPDIF input,...it is hitting it with no thinness. Well, it should not make further improvements with the QuteHD....? However, I am going to put my AA DTI-Pro 32 in the chain. I just need to find my two other COAX into BNC connectors for my 2nd Illuminati D-60 RCA that is needed in the chain (.5 meter). In a box somewhere. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/21/14 at 17:07:04 Hearing the difference between the SPDIF and USB was enlightening. Plus seeing how hugely different the USB ports sounded has left me with a big question mark on the mini as a source. I will continue to pursue it though for the convenience, but I doubt I will put too much money in it. But it is fun to experiment when every once in a while, you hit the jackpot. Let me know on the cable differences. My better (hopefully) coax is on the system in Michigan so right now I am just running with a basic Blue Jeans cable coax with a BNC adapter. P.S. the reviews say they implemented the USB much better on the QuteEX and the Hugo. The local hi-fi store asked me if I wanted to break in their Hugo for them. They are not close, but I might take them up on it. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/21/14 at 19:16:59 I would take them up on the Hugo! What a great DAC as you mentioned Palomino! For me, it is like this: The Chord Engineers came to my Listening Room an said what do you like most about your DTI-Pro 32 with i2s into your 3.0 AA DAC? Furthermore, what did you like about the PS Audio DS DAC. Will come back to you with an amalgamation of the best of both....an take a Listen. I Listened...and yeah....it is wonderful! Then one of the Chord Engineers, on the way out of my Listening Room said: "Also remember...we were able to make this DAC at this price point less a preamp (2k) and less firmware updates/not needed on the QuteHD (1.5k)...and brought the price even further down from $2500 to $1800 with our economies of scale". He further added: "We lowered it even further to the price you purchased it for Larry at $1395 delivered-with the advent of our EX...". As the Engineer closed my Listening Room door....he said: "You're welcome"! |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/21/14 at 19:24:38 I resisted touching the voltage output on my CSP3. The QuteHD has good tonal balance with the 3 volts output driving into the CSP3. Now, with over 60 hours on the QuteHD, 700 on my ZMA an 400+ on my CSP3 with Jupiter Caps....an Kimber Select 3035 has close to 1000 hours on them... . Whoooooooa, I just dialed in an even better Tonal Balance (by lowering the CSP3 voltage) with more accurate weight an depth too! The CSP3 is without words for me right now.....with the QuteHD and ZMA. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/21/14 at 19:25:18 Well, I have to give Raven credit for three things: 1. Letting me listen to his DS DAC which lead to understand what is possible with a good DAC 2. Recommending the Chord based on the reviews he'd read. 3. Encouraging me to ask for an in-home demo of the Chord from the dealer. I would not have this DAC without his assistance in these three areas. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/21/14 at 19:36:47 I thank you Palomino for pushing me to get the QuteHD, after reading about it for a year. I am glad I had the PS Audio DS DAC in first though. I'm also going to take Credit for turning LR on to the payment plan purchase of the DS through Music Direct. He had to pay wonke' tax an will pay interest on it....but he got/has one. :) Music Direct is a Class Act too. I called personally to make the return of my DS and had a long talk with my Salesman about it. Without requesting, I was not charged the freight with the return of the DS. If they carry something I want-I go to them first. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/28/14 at 14:13:27 Ok, here's an update. I went ahead and purchased the Matrix USB converter mentioned in the audiophile chord QuteHD review ($250). It was cheap for what converter's go for these days, but I just didn't want to over invest given the price of the DAC. I dealt with Aurthur at Matrix USA who appears to be a good guy. Answered my e-mails quickly and seemed straightforward and honest. He drop ships from China, but I got the unit in 4 days via DHL. Seems to be really well built for such a small puck (like Apple TV size), No external power brick. It runs off USB power. Its XMOS based with two clocks for the different frequencies. It is plug and play on the Mac mini. I just had to point to it as the output device within Audirvana and I was playing music. I was overtired last night, but it seems to at a minimum be a lateral move from my transport and is probably better. I will run it in for a while and see what I think. Thus far, I think it removes some of the remaining upper mid glare on certain songs. It seems to be a smoother delivery. Also, I do hear some details in certain songs that were harder to make out with the transport. I am still trying to figure out if the bass is looser. I need to give it some more time and then do some A/B listening to find out. Overall, what I can say is that I think I have regained the Mac Mini as the ultra convenient source it is without having to sacrifice SQ. I also don't currently feel the need to jump on the Mac Mini modification merry go round. I was thinking I needed to before the Matrix. Most important, it still captures the emotional connection we have been talking about in the other thread. Oh, and the Chord, the linear power supply and Matrix all still fit in a shoe box with room to spare. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/28/14 at 14:17:07 Oh, and one other thought. This DAC has me wanting to explore a 2W Zen as a amp to see if I can get more of an emotional connection. I heard the Zen near field at the last Decfest and can't get that speed and clarity out of my head. Yes, I want a ZMA for the muscle, but I think the other end of spectrum warrents exploration. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 08/28/14 at 16:08:16 My 16 year old Zen Amp is available for loan if you want to try it out. It's eventually going to go to my garage system since my 100 watt studio amp blew a channel, but it's just collecting dust since the ZMA showed up. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 08/28/14 at 19:39:42 Thank you for your kind offer. I just may take you up on it once I get settled in with this new setup. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 08/28/14 at 23:18:53 Post 21 Palo...man! Those 4 sentences say it all. So, I know you know. ;) I can't part with any of my Decware Amps. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/05/14 at 23:27:57 I'm going to borrow Raven's Zen to see if I can achieve the magic I heard at Zenfest. The Matrix usb converter is going to stay in the system. I did a lot of A/B with the transport and while they are pretty close in detail and bass, the Matrix kills the transport in terms of soundstage. I am pretty happy with my setup right now. Must. Stop. Spending. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 09/06/14 at 00:30:45 I'm home tonight if you want to swing by to pick the little Zen up. It's got the tubes Steve put in it, and it's good to go. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/06/14 at 12:12:32 I just saw this. Couldn't get out anyway. I was in charge while my wife went shopping. I'll end you a text today. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/07/14 at 01:36:41 Raven dropped off the zen. I can easily say this. It's not the amp to do it all, but what it does, it does exquisitly. Wonderful engagment and micro details. I will own one of these one day. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 09/07/14 at 05:30:16 I keep telling you, mine is available, and for you, only $1000! ;D I'm glad you like it. One seems to pop up here in the forums about quarterly - just none exactly like mine. :) Thanks for the listening time in your room. You've got it so close to perfection with all that room treatment. We just need to get you some diffusers! |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/07/14 at 12:44:57 Just help me figure out the dimensions and I will start cutting. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 18:06:30 One more comment. I was of the opinion that the Zen was just a less powerful Rachael. It is not. It's a completely different amp. At least Raven's is. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 09/08/14 at 19:11:07 Well, mine is special. :) I drew up a QRD 13 diffuser for you. I'm sending it in E-mail shortly. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/08/14 at 19:11:33 Palomino wrote on 09/08/14 at 18:06:30:
Right. At the least the different power tube types make a significant difference. The little amps changed over the years too. I've had three: the 27th that Steve made, which I then had upgraded to Rev. A, the first generation of the Select, and I now have a Rev. C (modded by Eddie Vaughn). They were/are all great, and all significantly different, but I wouldn't keep any of them int he place of one of my Toriis, any one of them. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 19:29:55 I'm not sure I would trade. I will certainly compliment the growing Decware stable. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/08/14 at 19:40:33 That's definitely cool. I'm a one amp in one system guy though, maximize around one and sit back and groove. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 19:55:14 I am going to try some tube rolling in my Rachael to see if I can get some of the detail I like in the Zen. I'm also going to try to listen to the latest Zen at the fest this year. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by seikosha on 09/08/14 at 20:12:54 Interesting to hear you say that the Zen is a completely different amp than the Rachel. I've got a Zen (latest version) and a latest version Mini Torii and both of those amps are very different too. I know I've read at times that all of Steve's amps have a certain sonic signature, but what you seem to be experiencing and what I hear sounds like maybe that isn't necessarily true. I'd be very interested in hearing how the Zen compares to the Rachel. I've been toying with the idea of picking up a EL34 SET design sometime in the future and have been wondering how it would sound compared to my Zen or Mini Torii. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 20:54:55 OK, maybe completely different was strong wording. I do feel there are distinct differences through. There are details I hear both in the high end and bass that I simply do not hear with Rachael. What's more is those details are more engaging. That does leave me wondering what different tubes in the Rachael can do to come closer to this particular Zen sound (at least the way Raven has it tubed now). I have my Rachael using the same tubes I used with my Schitt and later Beresford DACs, which are far inferior to the Chord. I needed to explore new tubes anyway, but now I have something to target. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/08/14 at 21:14:28 I believe there's a fundamental difference. . . in large part because of the power tubes. The power tube types on the Rachel will not give you that same type of speed and presentation. Personally, for my purposes the Integrated worked better as its slightly forgiving and warm nature gave me better sound from non-spectacular recordings, of which I have thousands. I'd recommend experimenting with 6922/6DJ8/7DJ8 types, as I found these tightened up the sound compared to other input tube types. I would also recommend trying. . . other rectifier types, I think you can used 5Y3 types in this amp and that might take you in a direction you'd like. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 21:17:23 Thanks Lon. I have some cryo'd gold lion 6922s I can try. I also have some 6dj8s. Any particular 5y3 rectifier you can recommend I try? |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/08/14 at 21:20:30 Hmmm. . . I love RCA and Arcturus, but mainly because those are a bit warmer. Sovtek may be a good one to try, or ER or Tung-Sol. The new reissue Tung-Sol EL34s may be soemthing to try as well. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 21:22:21 No 5y3, but I have a Tung Sol 5u4g that I thought was too detailed before that I can try. Running RCA 5u4g right now. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/08/14 at 21:31:22 Give it a shot. One never knows, do one? Seems you have a few things to try, and the "sound" in your ear now to compare to. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 21:33:06 Yeah, most of my tuning was on that Schitt dac which was on the harsh side. I was trying to mellow the sound a bit. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 09/08/14 at 22:25:41 I have a couple stashes of tubes as well (a few dozen various tubes). If I can find which storage box I have them in. I also have a solid state plug you can put in place of your rectifier tube to see what that does for you. It might help speed up the amp bit, but it also stiffens it a bit. I'd be happy to loan you some to help on your quest.  |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/08/14 at 22:30:43 Ha! Just when I thought I had my tubes set... |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/08/14 at 23:47:47 Ha! That's how it goes. We're never "done" and we never will be. At least it's fun. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/12/14 at 12:03:35 Well, I have gone through all my tubes - power, rectifier and input and I am back to my original compliment, which is pretty much what the amp came with. I just upgraded a little with a NOS RCA 5u4g and cryo'd JJ EL34s. It's what sounds the best to me in the Rachael. I think the Rachael has a sound and the Zen has a sound and that's that. I just will have to buy a Zen some day. I think I will wait for a used CKC and seek out the best tubes for it. In the mean time, I'll have to start paying Raven rent. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lon on 09/12/14 at 12:17:24 Yes, it makes sense that one circuit is not going to sound the same as another, though there is a "family" sound they all share. For me and my system I want one amp and the Torii Mk III IS that amp, I've had others (including an integrated and three of the little Zens) and the Torii has what the others don't for my system. We're all different, I totally can understand wanting both! You should be able to get one in time and I know you'll enjoy it. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 09/12/14 at 18:11:33 Hi Pal, I will sell you my CKC for $725...shipped an insured by me/on my end. Shipped an insured to you will run me $56 to 68 bucks. I purchased an received it new in November of 2012. The reason I'm willing to sell it is because I love my original SE84CS seasoned since May of 2001. I am a junkie for the original SV83 Svetlana that Steve voiced the CS with! The CKC should go to a good home/fully appreciated an swapped in an out with your Rachel. Obviously, it is a fine Amp! My SE84CS, CSP3 an ZMA...(an I will purchase Steve's new SET next year) will only be sold after my death. Let me know... . We can go through Paypal, like Eric an I just did. I will cover the Pp fee. No hurry, think about it. I won't put it on Ebay until the end of October....if you want it between now an then. How about that Chord QuteHD! It edges my AA front end an is at the heels of the DS... . Making it quite incredible... . |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/12/14 at 18:57:31 Thanks Stone. I may take you up on it. Just not sure I'm ready to pull the trigger. I like the idea of seasoned as well. Eric's has a bit of a audible swish going on, but otherwise sounds really good. I think he's going to have Steve give it a look. He's got to pay for those Gallo's so he may be ready to deal! I'm getting great sound out of the chord. Now I am looking upstream to try to get the most out of the Mac mini. It's very convenient but a bit of a crap shoot getting good sound out of it. I can't complain though. I jus think there is more there if I mess with it. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 09/12/14 at 19:08:10 No worries Pal. I won't put it on Ebay until November 3rd. Sell, then settle in for the long Winter with my Decware an Summit Winter Ale. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 09/12/14 at 19:14:51 Quote:
Damnit, I totally forgot about that! Yeah, I want to take it in to Steve to figure out what's going on. If you can give it up this weekend, I can drop off a laptop setup with Server 2012 and Audiophile Optimizer (and directions), and pick up the little Zen so I can drop it off with Steve. I've not used it at all since getting the ZMA, so I'm wondering whats causing that noise. Stone, PM coming your way about tubes! |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 09/30/14 at 17:54:07 Stone, did you ever land a linear power supply? If so, did you get a lift from it? I will probably bring my Chord to Decfest. I want to test it nearfield with a Zen and some Traps. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 10/01/14 at 16:46:24 No Palomino, I have not. ...Could you give me the info on that (again). Thanks. Do bring your Chord to Decfest. With the high output (3 volts). It runs my two little Zens well. However, I prefer it (because of its fixed setting volt output), to run through my CSP3 with its adjustable voltage output. (Footnote): My Audio Alchemy gear has adjustable voltage output too. This option, has always been very nice to have. Even when, truncating a bit or two down from 20 bit dither...when using the Remote w/volume. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 10/01/14 at 16:54:25 Here is the one I bought. $155 delivered. I had good luck with another 5v Tera Dac LPSU plus I had read good things about R core transformers. http://www.ebay.com/itm/TeraDak-DC-30W-TOUCH-DC12V-1A-precision-linear-regulated-power-supply-/111427207576?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19f1944198 I was running it with one of my DIY power cords. Last weekend I experimented with a better quality Synergistics cord and felt there was an improvement in definition so that's what I am running with now. With the LPSU and the Matrix USB/SPDIF converter I have now spent $1600, but I still feel its a great value. I am looking to experiment with a good SPDIF and USB cord now. Raven loaned me one of his Pangea USB's that seems fine but I am wondering if upgrading will help. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 12/04/14 at 18:37:18 Three .5 months in with this DAC. If you're in the market for one, I can't see where you could go wrong. For $1395.00, it is the steal of 2014 IMO. This DAC deserves the attention and my time to post. http://store.acousticsounds.com/d/86895/Chord_Electronics_Limited-Chordette_QuteHD_Ultra-High_Res_DAC-DA_Converter_or_Processor http://www.audiostream.com/content/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dsd-dac "Where the Chord is truly exceptional is with CD-quality music. Yes, good old old-fashioned 16/44.1. The QuteHD has a way of pulling out a full, dimensional sound from 16/44.1 music files that is quite astonishing. "Delicate" is a word that kept coming to mind while the Chord delivered some of the most convincingly natural sounding CD-quality sound I've yet heard. It nearly sounds as if Chord's algorithm has delved into the bits, cleaned them up (especially around the edges), and added a sense of space around them, before letting them loose into your room more fully formed. This aspect of the QuteHD was something that did not jump or scream out, rather it impressed me more the more I listened. Some of my favorite CD rips were given a new sonic lease on life. And I have to wonder if the QuteHD's exceptional way with CD-quality music made playing back higher resolution files a bit less dramatic. And while this is a thorny thing to wrap ones head around, I'd say that's the case. In other words the Chordette QuteHD (DSD) DAC makes CD-quality music sound more like HD music (decidedly not the other way around). And that's really nice". |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 12/04/14 at 18:57:07 Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am very happy with mine as well. It has stopped the itch to find a better DAC. Did you ever go the route of a linear power supply? If not, I think there is more for this unit to give. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 12/04/14 at 19:17:21 No I have not Pal. For $155, I'm doing it. Thanks again for posting that. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 12/04/14 at 19:39:21 Those descriptions, especially of the raising of CD and questioning High-Def sounds exactly like my experience with the DirectStream. If a $1395 DAC can do that, color me very impressed! That's certainly much more affordable then the DS, that's for sure! |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Dave1210 on 12/04/14 at 19:48:41 +1 on LR's comment |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by beowulf on 01/06/15 at 22:33:23 CES 2015: Chord Electronics unveils desktop Hugo TT DAC/headphone amp.  Read more here: http://www.whathifi.com/news/ces-2015-chord-electronics-unveils-desktop-hugo-tt-dacheadphone-amp#lQIixc8odauciXX6.99 |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 01/07/15 at 03:09:31 Hmmmm, pretty. Too bad I really don't need anything else, but to play with more speakers and sound treatment. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 01/07/15 at 14:16:11 If you look down below that article on the desktop Hugo, you see that they are also releasing the 2 Qute, which is basically the Hugo in the Chord Qute chasis. At $1500, that might be well worth a listen. The Hugo is supposed to be a pretty big step above the Qute. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 01/07/15 at 14:56:33 What Chord is offering for this little of money, is not hyperbole. My QuteHD, ran into my CSP3 w/Jupiter Caps, competes with anything period. I probably will end up with another (the 2 Qute). Right now though, I'm saving my sheckuls' for Decware. Not that I will ever replace my ZMA/I won't. But, more Decware is always a good thing to me. Nice to see TONE knows what us ZMA owner's already knew. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 01/07/15 at 15:00:33 I still have to pester Steve and see what the new amp is all about (speaking of Decware). I was too busy trudging through the snow to get home to try and swing by and see him this week. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 01/07/15 at 15:16:59 I am already trying to figure out what all I will sell to get the 2Qute. I will use the existing QuteHD in my cottage system. All the accolades for the ZMA are well deserved. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by stone_of_tone on 01/07/15 at 17:29:49 Yeah, January bites LR. 25 to 35 below wind chill here today. No hurry, on what Steve is up to. All in good time. All in good time..... . |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 01/07/15 at 17:52:37 Stone, try that power supply (nudge, nudge). |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by beowulf on 01/07/15 at 22:25:45 Wow, I just did the pound to dollar conversion for the Hugo TT and it's roughly $4529 USD!!! It makes me think ~ how much better that thing could be over the original Hugo when it saying it offers better connectivity, LED display, USB-B and remote. None of those features are important to me ... I wonder what the perceived improved performance is. You can get a used PS Audio DS for way less than that. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Lonely Raven on 01/07/15 at 22:39:59 Wow, that is pricey. I too would go for a used DS over that. Although it does allow DSD128 over Coax which is nice. But USB is where it's at IMHO. All things being equal - I'd have to thunderdome the DS vs the new Chord and see which sounds better. |
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Title: Re: Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC Post by Palomino on 01/07/15 at 23:23:02 I did that same conversion and said wow. The. I saw that you could get Hugo quality in the 2qute at $1500 and felt better. |
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