Crandi

Chord Qutest Power Supply Upgrade General Audio Discussion Canuck

Leo Migdal
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chord qutest power supply upgrade general audio discussion canuck

I’m looking for experience-based opinions here on which linear power supplies Agoners have found to provide the greatest benefit when used with Chord Qutest DAC. I have personal experience with upgraded MCRU and Swagman Labs supplies in different applications, and have been quite happy. Here are the models I am currently considering: My budget is under $500. If you swear by other lps products you’ve used with the Qutest DAC, I would be interested to hear about it. I have several different PCs on hand to try with a new lps.

FWIW, I tried a 5v ifi XPOWER switching supply I have on hand, and it sounds awful with the Qutest, but sounds very good in other applications, including with a Chord Mojo2. I had success employing a 5v Ifi iPower Elite with a Chord Qutest, which is Ifi's top of the line switch mode power supply. Zerozone on alipay, Kingrex,or with more dosh Keces or Teddy Pardo. I see that the Chord Qutest gets pretty good reviews, but I can't get over the fact they sell a high-end DAC with a SWITCHING power supply. It has got to sound better with a good linear power supply, or perhaps one of the iFi switching supplies that have noise cancellation. So has anyone used a better power supply with the Qutest and can you tell me what supply you used, where you got it, how you hooked it into micro USB, and the resulting...

I'm particularly interested in linear power supplies. There are a number of suppliers, pretty inexpensive ones from China and then more expensive ones elsewhere. Also let me describe my taste and could someone familiar with the Qutest check whether I might like it? I mainly listen to classical. I like musical involvement and of the many factors that go into musical involvement, I think dynamics (micro and macro) is the most important. I don't mind if it's a little warm and pretty, which is better than being clinical.

A natural, not artificial, sense of resolution is good. I use the word "resolution" rather than "detail" because there are so many ways a DAC can hype or etch detail in a way that's unnatural, but "resolution" implies that you can pick out... I realize that stunning resolution is mostly found in much more expensive products, so I am happy with something less, but not muddy or smeared. How much of an improvement could I expect to the QuTest with an upgraded Linear Power Supply? I’ve just put an mcru one on mine and a bit more weight and openness… not a massive game change but it’s removed the only wall wart in my system Plixir Elite BDC with Statement DC cable was a significant upgrade on my Qutest.

I also have an MCRU/Long Dog Audio power supply. It is the cheaper one without fancy fuse, mains lead and IEC socket. It irons out digital hash leaving a smoother sounding result. I would say it makes more of a difference than changing filter options on the Qutest, which are small to my ears. If you can get the 3V output of the Qutest to work without clipping, that will give the clearest, most detailed sound. I found that 3V out was too hot to be optimal for my SN3.

I experimented with 2V and 1V and forget which I settled on.

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I’m Looking For Experience-based Opinions Here On Which Linear Power

I’m looking for experience-based opinions here on which linear power supplies Agoners have found to provide the greatest benefit when used with Chord Qutest DAC. I have personal experience with upgraded MCRU and Swagman Labs supplies in different applications, and have been quite happy. Here are the models I am currently considering: My budget is under $500. If you swear by other lps products you’...

FWIW, I Tried A 5v Ifi XPOWER Switching Supply I

FWIW, I tried a 5v ifi XPOWER switching supply I have on hand, and it sounds awful with the Qutest, but sounds very good in other applications, including with a Chord Mojo2. I had success employing a 5v Ifi iPower Elite with a Chord Qutest, which is Ifi's top of the line switch mode power supply. Zerozone on alipay, Kingrex,or with more dosh Keces or Teddy Pardo. I see that the Chord Qutest gets p...

I'm Particularly Interested In Linear Power Supplies. There Are A

I'm particularly interested in linear power supplies. There are a number of suppliers, pretty inexpensive ones from China and then more expensive ones elsewhere. Also let me describe my taste and could someone familiar with the Qutest check whether I might like it? I mainly listen to classical. I like musical involvement and of the many factors that go into musical involvement, I think dynamics (m...

A Natural, Not Artificial, Sense Of Resolution Is Good. I

A natural, not artificial, sense of resolution is good. I use the word "resolution" rather than "detail" because there are so many ways a DAC can hype or etch detail in a way that's unnatural, but "resolution" implies that you can pick out... I realize that stunning resolution is mostly found in much more expensive products, so I am happy with something less, but not muddy or smeared. How much of ...

I Also Have An MCRU/Long Dog Audio Power Supply. It

I also have an MCRU/Long Dog Audio power supply. It is the cheaper one without fancy fuse, mains lead and IEC socket. It irons out digital hash leaving a smoother sounding result. I would say it makes more of a difference than changing filter options on the Qutest, which are small to my ears. If you can get the 3V output of the Qutest to work without clipping, that will give the clearest, most det...