Chord Qutest - All is well since.....
Posted by: SongStream on 20 April 2018
... I plugged the DAC-V1 back in. Yes, it would appear that overall I enjoy music more with a Naim DAC-V1, than the Chord Qutest, both fed via the same dedicated PC via USB. I wrote a fairly glowing account of the Qutest after a week long home demo, and I will stand by much of what I said, but the reality is that living with one slightly longer term, still only a couple of weeks to be fair, has been a bit frustrating. Maybe needs more running in, we shall see, but I kind of doubt that's the issue.
Before I speak of any negatives, let's get one thing straight, the Qutest does not sound bad in any way, and I can absolutely understand why some may prefer it over the V1, I even thought I did. The separation, and space between different instruments, and the way its all layered is notable. And its ability to tame, and even make shine, some of the less dynamic mainstream pop / rock recordings is still something I think is quite impressive. Oh, and increased bass depth will be a big plus point for many too.
Here's the problem though, when I play some of my favourite music where the recording / production quality is what I would consider pretty top-notch, it is much less impressive. For example there are three albums by Tingvall Trio I am really fond of, and with the Chord the piano sounds like it has shrunk. Not more distant, just like it's miniature and a bit clanky too. These albums sound less exciting, too subtle and like everything has been restrained, less slam and rythymic engagement. Also the notes from the middle keys seem to become insignificant, and very subdued compared to listening on the V1. I've found similar to be true many times across many different albums and genres. Again, that's not to say there are not moments where the Chord really shines, but generally, with my normal listening habits and out of evaluation mode, more often than not I find the Chord too laid back and less immersive.
For much of the time the Qutest is less believable when it comes to vocals too, just a touch too much high frequency edge I think, and a lack of the richness that the V1 delivers.
It's a weird thing to try and explain, but I feel as though the Qutest reveals more detail in the sense of what any individual in a performance is doing, and maybe where they're stood, but the DAC-V1 provides the more coherent and indeed detailed musical performance, and more lifelike.
Of course, all of this is a matter for preferences and system synergy etc, and it may be that my view will change again, but switching back to the DAC-V1 has been a relief this morning, and I have to say I was driven to do this not out of curiosity, but because of dissatisfaction, and its interesting how much more I've enjoyed the choons since. For this reason, I suspect that either an NDAC, or NDX2, will ultimately become the upgrade to push the DAC-V1 off the rack.
analogmusic posted:Perol posted:Obsessed by i/c
Not really. I didn’t spend 3800 per Meter on Chord Music.
Vertere DFI is a fraction of that price
Didn't I read last month that you purchased the SL interconnect at just about the same price as the Chord Music??
This is what you stated in a previous cable thread:
I think for me, what Superlumina brings to the table are 3 things
1) The realism of timbres, instruments and voices sound more real
2) The dynamic energy of the performance is preserved more than other cables
3) more extended bandwidth in terms of frequency extremes.
It may not be immediately apparent, but after 200 hours running in at least, you will hear it.
they take an annoying very long time to run in. Until then one can wonder what the fuss is all about and why the price tag.
As Superlumina cables are multi-conductor cables (the speaker cable has 11 cores) - the separate cores don't all seem to run in at exactly the same pace as they are different diameters
So... some hundred hours..............................
You're not posting the above without first hand knowledge now are you? As only owners of such cables who have had them in their system for quite sometime could be that intimate with these kinds of stated facts.
Badlands, the difference between what you read and what I wrote is getting quite amusing 
LOL .... Could you try to update your profile .... and also what source do you use....?
Bob the Builder posted:It always amazes me that people take the advice on this forum so literal and lateral. Try things for yourself otherwise you may miss out on something that is very special to you.
I'd second that. +1, #tag LISTEN!!! I'll be in trouble for this one, a '+1' and a 'reply with quote' in one reply, HH will be furious.
analogmusic posted:Badlands, the difference between what you read and what I wrote is getting quite amusing
LOL .... Could you try to update your profile .... and also what source do you use....?
I'm quoting YOUR words and posts EXACTLY, how am I reading it wrong? Surely, only actual owners of SL cables that have had them in their system for quite sometime would only have that kind of knowledge that you write about so intimately, wouldn't you agree????????? What's so amusing???????????
To be honest, if you are writing such detailed posts on the subject and don't have first hand experience owing the product, you are doing a huge injustice to the forum and it's members that may be looking for advise.
Sooooooooooooo, do you or don't you own SL cables? And if you don't, I wish you would stop pretending that you are an expert on the subject!!!
What does my source and profile have to do with your vast knowledge of all things cable anyway, just curious?????
badlands posted:analogmusic posted:Badlands, the difference between what you read and what I wrote is getting quite amusing
LOL .... Could you try to update your profile .... and also what source do you use....?
I'm quoting YOUR words and posts EXACTLY, how am I reading it wrong? Surely, only actual owners of SL cables that have had them in their system for quite sometime would only have that kind of knowledge that you write about so intimately, wouldn't you agree????????? What's so amusing???????????
To be honest, if you are writing such detailed posts on the subject and don't have first hand experience owing the product, you are doing a huge injustice to the forum and it's members that may be looking for advise.
Sooooooooooooo, do you or don't you own SL cables? And if you don't, I wish you would stop pretending that you are an expert on the subject!!!
What does my source and profile have to do with your vast knowledge of all things cable anyway, just curious?????
He might listen them in his dealer, friend, did a home demo but not bought... why is the agressive Questioning towards a fellow Member?
he might be an Expert ör not, he might be a pretender ör not but still i dont get angry Tone
are you the forum fraud police?
