Adding Linear PS to Chord Qute HD DAC
Posted by: daveyu on 20 April 2017
Is this a worthwhile upgrade and which PS's are recommended - MCRU?
And is the Qute HD DAC designed to be powered on all the time.
Before answering I must clarify that I haven't tried 2Qute with or without a different power supply, however The following observations may be of use:
Unlike Hugo, I believe 2Qute doesn't have a battery. Hugo's use of a battery supply, even when connected to a charger, is contributory to its excellent sound quality, and may at least in part explain the difference in sound quality between these two DACs (the other difference likely to be significant is the different output stage), with the Zhugo generally reported as sounding better. Whereas improving the power (charger) supply for Hugo doesn't improve the performance over running on battery power, with the 2Qute it seems likely that there is potential for it it improve.
so with the Qute would one leave this plugged in all the time or switch off
You could try running the 2Qute from a battery.
Not sure what Chord would have to say about this.
daveyu posted:so with the Qute would one leave this plugged in all the time or switch off
May depend on whatever PS you use and whether it is rated for being continuously powered up. As for sound quality, easy to try for yourself and see if you can hear any difference.
Innocent Bystander posted:
daveyu posted:so with the Qute would one leave this plugged in all the time or switch off
May depend on whatever PS you use and whether it is rated for being continuously powered up. As for sound quality, easy to try for yourself and see if you can hear any difference - and that applies to use with the stock PS as well as an alternative.
hugo fed by MCUR power supply did improve things