It does not matter if it is a late review. I personally was waiting for you to review any Chord DAC. I am convinced that you are physically gifted with better hearing than most of us. Combined with mature listening skills, your observations and opinion have great value. Thanks for this review.
You have a great way of describing listening experience with words, mimic, and gestures. So easy to follow the little nuances you want to bring across. Thanks for your reviews.
This is the second review of yours I have watched. Your reviews are impressive. I have found that you display a much more natural confidence in what you are saying than any of the reviewers I have viewed until now. Thanks for your work!
I see you're in Serbia! When I was younger, I made many trips to the former Yugoslavia...Belgrade, in particular, is memorable to me. But again, kudos on the reviews, I very much appreciate your commentary on products and the way you listen to how you listen to gear. I'd be curious to know what kinds of music you use to audition gear.
Glad it made an impact, I'm located in the Belgrade and it is an interesting city. As for the music I use, I like blues, rock, jazz, pop... Electronics sometime (Daft Punk for example). I don't really listen to classical music, maybe few times a year. Sometimes I put a suggestion for a song in the video, I'll try to do that more regularly. Cheers!
@@iiWiReviews I loved traveling all over there, through Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia/Herzegovina - i never got down to Montenegro but, maybe one day. I actually did catch a reference to a recording in a video I watched subsequent to this comment. I just love discovering new music....and it's also helpful to have references to certain sounds, certain music passages and instruments etc. that you use to test equipment. Cheers!
Great review! You are truly becoming more and more professional in your reviews. Congratulations. BTW I agree with your disdain for MQA which has been a disaster for the industry. Keep up the excellent work! Thank you for your efforts
Great review! I bought Qutest 1.5 months ago. I was curious what you would say about its sound, because I have watched all your reviews of the DAC and I totally agree with you. Chord sounds as you say. Greetings!
Basses on Chord DACs are the most precise I've ever heard, no matter the price range. The definition on treble can be a little disturbing on some tracks but the general quality is very high. A good quality power supply definitely makes difference. On the other hand the Denafrips has a smoothness that's difficult to rival. Great review.
I want to thank you for this great work ! I really can hear on Chord Hugo 2 what you describe for Chord Qtest and that's why this video is so useful for me. Considering how hard it is to communicate what can be heard through audio gears, I strongly appreciate that you succeed so well in this aspect.
For all the CZcams reviewers that I follow, your's is the channel that drives some of my buying decisions. I have a Pontus II 12-1 and I love it. I was thinking about a Hugo TT2 because there are occasions when I miss the precise detail (usually found on Chifi). After watching this, I think I will keep my Denafrips. Although, I do wonder if the TT2 with its 100,000 taps vs the Qutest 50,000 taps improves on the lack of richness. Maybe if I have some kind of unexpected windfall of money, I'll buy the TT2 and have both. 🙂
This is the best comparison I have seen for these 2 DACs so far. I am considering these two and your explanation really clarifies which one I would prefer. Now the Qutest has increased its price to the US $1,945.00. So at this, price I would really like see your take on the Pontus II, which would still be cheaper at US $1810.00
iiWi, You have done it again. The major reviewers need to take a message out of your playbook. You have a way to convey and put sound into words with emotion, without all of the Word Salad!!!
I have one (Chord Qutest purchased in mint condition for a lot less than the retail price - owned for approx' 18 months) with an already great system and I can DEFINITELY recommend at LEAST trying one; Easy to set up / use. Changing to each of the 4 filter settings really does make it able to get the sound 'you' want (in my experience)... you can get detail AND warmth via the 3rd, or 4th filter setting) and most important of all... for an out of the box component it is (in my opinion) excellent and gets a coinsiderable amount more from your system... ultimately though and is often the way, a lot depends on 'your' system.
This is a great review, the first one I've seen where I feel like I can actually conceptualize how it will sound properly. The comparison with the Ares II was very helpful and actually gave me insight on how both DACs sound. Thanks !
Actually, I think there is a certain wisdom behind the Chord color-based selection scheme. You hear audiophiles always talking about the problem of objectivity due to their impression of what sounds good being skewed by KNOWING what settings they are listening to. Well, with the color coding, if you never take a peek at the color-coding key, the only thing you have to tell you what sounds best is YOUR EARS! So actually, the color-coded selection are quite clever, in that respect.
Odlično poređenje, potpisujem! Trenutno imam 3 različita DAC-a: Denafrips Ares II, Denafrips Terminator i Accuphase DAC-50 (modul u mom Accuphase E-480 pojačalu). Imam namjeru zadržati samo jednu DAC opciju, ali nakon višemjesečnog slušanja i komparacija, gotovo da je nemoguće odlučiti se koju, naročito ako se imaju i vidu različite cjenovne klase. Accuphase DAC-50 (duplo skuplji od Ares II) je najpraktičnija solucija, naginje Quest zvuku, ali mu nedostaje ono što je posebna Ares II zvučna signatura. Denafrips Terminator objedinjuje sve to na jedan fantastičan način (+ diže sve na kvadrat), doista jedan ultimativni high-end DAC! No, duplo je skuplji nego ova dva zajedno. Dakle, muka živa... Pozdrav iz Švedske!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍💪Congratulations you have described this component so accurately you really do have a way with words excellent I feel like I’ve heard it in person thanks to you best review so far congrats a big fan of yours stevecostello💪
Thank You for this comparison. I'm thinking of buying one of this two boys. Thanks a lot to show me the diferences between Ares II and Qutest, now I'm little bit more confused :). Maybe it's not about DACs but I'm a happy owner od Dayens Menuetto amplifier which came to me directly from Serbia! Thanks and please, keep doing your reviews, I love them!
You wasn't joking about the improvement in sound with the Shanti power supply on the Qutest, I was lucky enough to grab one recently and was pleasantly surprised.
I agree with your value/ratio thinking both for the reasons you mentioned and for one other reason. DACs are getting better and cheaper each year. I see no reason to overspend today when tomorrow you may well be trading up again.
Though this is a 3 year old review, it is still relevant today. The reviewer is right on the money about the chord qutest. Since purchasing a slightly used cutest that came with an upgraded ifi elite power supply at a very good price, I feel that I made an excellent choice. There are so many choices in this price range. And, I have to admit that I am skeptical buying an expensive dac from China for the same reasons explained by the reviewer. But, if you find the cutest on the used market for around half the price, it can't be beat for all the accurate sonic reasons he described. A good dac requires a good system, and visa versa. The cutest may be long in the tooth, but it's still is an unbeatable dac for its accuracy. Thanks to this reviewer for helping me make the right choice.
I only discovered your channel a few weeks ago, and I'm really impressed by the way you can put sound and music into words. One question... sorry, I might have missed it at the beginning of the video (and I looked again)... did you say before your sound description that you were testing the chord with a linear power supply? At least at the end, I think that everything you say refers to the test with the linear power supply. Because the cheap switch mode power supply is only mentioned by you at the end as the sonically inferior option in the comparison. Your comparison refers to the strong analytical sides of the chord, which are then reduced. But on the other hand, does everything become poorer or does the cheap power supply provide a little more timbre and tone, the characteristics that you like so much about the Ares2?
I highly recommend trying Audio-gd R2R DACs. I have the Ares II and a discontinued DAC-19 that trounces it in everything (clarity, tone, timbre, soundstage) and at a slightly lesser price. The current Audio-gd R-1 is $900 and should be a good comparison.
Congratulations, you're very good at describing your feelings as they relate to the gear used. This is actually very difficult to accomplish and you aced it. I'm a fan of your reviewing style.
Love your way to speak and communicate. Good and clear. Like you think exacly like most of us. about dacs, I’d like to try Denafrips but is not possible. So, buying something without this step, plus near 800€ without a local support.....it’s not my way to GO on. so, I’m look to Metrum dac like Amethyst....
Great review as usual & really like your format. Hope in the future you could review multibit/R2R DAC from Schiit & Audio-GD around the same price of the Denafrips & Chord.
Thank you. I do have the Qutest, and after your review I will stay with it. Also I because have a Sbooster behind it. When I connected the Sbooster, I was amazed of the growth of the soundstage. And you are right, very, very precise soundstage. And also very good to follow all the slashes of a drummer/ drumsolo...for example. Very quick sound.
Great review. After watching the sound demo video. You can hear everything you explained in this review quite easily. Even through mobile phone with headphones. Keep up the great work. Cheers from Australia.
Good review. I'm looking at getting the Chord and price is an issue, albeit not the most important. I'm with you, I wouldn't pay full price, it would need to be part of a deal.
My subjective experience is different, FWIW here is my two cents. I owned the Denafrips for several months and listened to it daily. Emphasizing again this is my own subjective reaction to it, I found over a period of time a creeping dissatisfaction with the sound that was not part of my initial reaction to it. It simply annoyed me. Something about it was just not right. Eventually, I could not stand to listen to it at all. At that point I considered my options carefully and after a lot of research, decided to try the Chord Qutest. I liked it from the start and after many months I still like it. It’s not exactly a matter of detail but the sound is properly organized whereas my perception of the Ares’ sound is that it isn’t. I am using the cheap power supply that came with the Qutest, but I also have a high quality power conditioner and I have invested in good cables in the system. The most expensive cable is the digital coax (Audioquest Diamond), which contrary to much controversy, is the single upgrade that made the most startling difference with both DACs (Its retail cost is higher than the Denfrips). Of course it is unfair as you point out to compare the Denafrips directly to the Qutest given the price difference. My subjective evaluation is differs from yours however, in that I consider the Qutest using the switching supply that comes with it to be a very significant upgrade from the Ares. My own personal judgment is that the Qutest is the minimum acceptable level of performance acceptable for me. It is an accurate DAC that does not (for me) become fatiguing over time, whereas the Ares did not stand the test of time with respect to listening satisfaction. That is a very different perception, sad and unfair though it may be that the entry level to long-term listening satisfaction seems to begin at the Qutest’s price point. That power supply upgrade you reviewed sounds like a real find and an outstanding bargain given it can power both a DAC and streamer. Good job on that!
I have the Qutest along with another DAC that is much more revealing and agree with you that the Qutest is much easier to listen to for any extended length of time.
This review basically nailed down what i will get. I was on the fence between the ares and the Qutest but i could not get the Ares for a test drive but i could get the Qutest from MusicDirect. That said, this review basically answered my questions on the Ares. I have the same speakers you do (LS50) and I believe I have a quite a resolving system. I have SS amps and Tube Pre. I prefer resolving systems, able to hear distinct information on The recording. I use a MACBook Pro (2019) running Tidal + Roon and schitt Modius and I really feel that the modius is not resolving enough for me. I have a semi dedicated listening room with lots of treatments, thereby able to hear the nuances of the music. This is what i want and willing to go for. For the price, well i do know that’s its nearly double the price, but i tend to run them for a decade before i change things.
I don't have much money, so I often use my Anker powerbank which is basically a battery, instead of a linear power supply. It's maximum output is 18 Watts and so I've used it with three different dac/amps. You can totally tell the difference it makes and it lasts up to 8 hours. The only downside is it takes hours to recharge. Anyway I paid £20 for it, if anyone is interested.
@@iiWiReviews Powerbank is not good in the quality of power source because the using boosted circuit to change the 3.7V of the lithum Bateery to 5V, that take a lot of ripple.
Thoughtful review that covers all the important bases. Regarding price performance, perhaps a better comparison would be with the Denafrips Pontus II which is around US$1700 at time of writing (July 2021) - it would give Cutest/Allo Shanti a run for their money.
To be fair, a more interesting comparison for Qutest+PSU would be with the entry level Audiobyte Black Dragon. Both based on fpga (obviously different implementation), that one has class A output stage and linear PSU build in and is around 1900 Euros, vs 2000 for the Qutest+ For 1000 Euros you got ADI-2 FS. Produced in Germany so no taxes in Europe, not huge expenses if you need to send it back, general consent is it comes a little short in sound quality, but just a little, but with huge amount of options.
I would gladly try Bifrost 2 if not for very high shipping cost from US to Serbia, and 30% taxes. It would actually sum up to a very similar price as Qutest. Basically, Schiit has great price for US customers but not so much for most of the others. :(
Nice review. Qutest+PSU is more in price range of Denafrips Pontus... UK have a denafrips dealer (willow tree) - whether that's open to EU customers I don't know...
Great description. I haven’t heard the Ares 2 but I have heard the Chord DACs up to Dave and have owned several R2R DACs including a NOS Goldmund and Schiit Yggdrasil A2. Currently running a Mola Mola Tambaqui which provides the detail, speed and space of the Dave and the tonality of the best R2R DACs I have heard.
The Qutest seems to fluctuate in price quite a bit. I picked mine up for $1400 USD. Three months later it jumped to $1900. I've seen it go up and down from $1700 to $2100. If you want the Qutest just keep an eye on it bc the price changes often and by quite a bit.
Try if you can and bring the Musician Pegasus R2R dac which is the sister company of Denafrips ...it s slightly more expensive than AresII but with better parts inside comparable with denafrips Pontus ... i would like to know your opinion about it .
I agree with your assessment. In the UK this would be a great value. It is an awesome product that deserves its accolades. Outside the uk- or in the United States, it has serious competition at lower prices.
Can it be worth having both the Ares II and the Chord Qutest and just swap between them depening on what type of sound you want. Or are they very similar in quality, and not worth having both?
Yes-while it’s always a personal preference the Ares 2 excels in providing a much wider soundstage and depth then the Cutest- so I listen to live concerts , jazz groups and vocalists with Ares. The Cutest is has in my opinion a bit more detail and depth with highs though doesn’t provide as wide s soundstage. Hope this helps!
Really great review and details 👏 Would be really fun to see Pontus compare to same price chord and diff on the aries 🎷🎸🌪 To buy dac is so difficult when you cant test them and i think alot of people looking at these dacs and with your detail reviews we can make a better choice . Keep up great work well done 👏 Please let us know what powersupply you use :) extra i think as well some people have problems with a bit sharp and edgy treble how can a dac help and wich one in that case ...
Long decay bass timber with r2r /ares2 (large sound stage, orchestra acoustic instruments and vocal preferred). Chord fpga is pin point musical aka all arounder.
Great review. Are u thinking about getting a topping pre90 to review? I'm curious to know how a dedicated pre amp for a dac would act...especially with the denafrips ares ii.
Hey man. I really love your videos! - You are very very good at explaining all the different aspects of sound quality. You don't dwell on specs and features. You discuss the end result. I think most of us are interested in this approach... "Just give me how does it sounds" - And "How it compares" - By the way, where are you from?
Great review. Chord’s audio designer, R. Watts, maintains that using a LPS yields no benefits and what you’d think as an improvement it’d be actually artificial. Perhaps a low noise PSU like the switch-mode iFi iPower mk2 would be an inexpensive alternative.
Thanks! I have great respect for gear designers but in the end they are salesmen too and need us to believe that they have everything figured out better then any other designer. So I tend to take every claim they make with a pinch of salt.
Not as good as the RME ADI-2 dac fs, a Qutest killer. The thing with the power supply is debatable .it depends on the patterning kit. On the rca socket. A bnc is 75ohms and chord may have had dual outputs in mind with m scaler. I would say MQA is liked for catalogue and good as cd / hi res. Bang on with the sound descriptions . You are very good with that. - I agree it outlines the details and soundstage and you’ve got that spot on. Room around instruments.really nice description. The Ares 2 is a tonally thick sound I found.
Old thread but this is still interesting. Wouldn't the rme be more of a benchmark dac3 killer? Both delta sigma designs with low distortion, a preamp function, and the flat soundstage that tends to plague such designs
@@nate_8403 RME is the best one. German make. Precise and excellent soundstage. Otherwise the top integrateds like Hegel or Accuphase would be stellar.
Hi iiWi, just a comment about the BNC connectors. Chord use twin BNCs to suit the M-Scaler as an input to the Qutest (and TT2 / Dave). BNC is a superior connector as you said so better that they do this and then people can always buy a BNC to RCA converter if they have a coax source they want to use 🙂
Hi PfS! That's an interesting observation, it didn't come to my mind because I never gave to much attention to M-scaler due to its price. I imagined it to be a companion for hi-end Chord DACs only. Cheers from Serbia!
i got a demo of the Aries II and its a game changer. its obscenely good value. it sounds much better than my bryston bcd1 at a much higher price (and that is a brilliant cd player) its really lush and its definitely not a product that is level. buying it your engaging in system tuning so try to get a hands on before you buy. the chord dac on the other hand should work with most things and it has incredible levels of accuracy. violins sound like violins etc
Certain DACS(and Amps) just have you picking out things in a song over just enjoying the music. Know your preference. In terms of the Chord sound, I suspect that this might be one of those instances of audiophiles using their music to listen to their gear rather than using their gear to listen to their music 🤷🏻♂
Yes, i know it’s in a Much Lower Price Segment but, did you know there is now a Version ‘2’ of the iFi Zen DAC. Apparently it is MUCH Improved. How about a Review Video in the near future ? GR8 Channel. I am Sub’d. ATB
Denafrips located Guangzhou, China. Chord designed & built in The UK. I know where my money is going. The Chord is available for less than £1k right now in The UK.
Impressive review, though I wish you'd thrown out some amps/headphones that pair well perhaps. Another thing that would help put it in perspective for viewers is "how much" the expensive dacs are better than the cheaper ones. As someone newer to this space it seems probable that some people blow the DAC differences out of proportion compared to amps/headphones, so it would help the whole community to try to keep it in context
Your assessment of this device says more about your system (and listening biases) than the device. It can sound extremely “warm” when the recording contains warmth but doesn’t editorialize all recordings like the coloured offering from Denafrips. Also, the 2 BNC inputs are there so that the device can be used to maximum effect with the company’s M-scaler which requires a double BNC cable connection to achieve the highest sampling rate.
System and personal biases are always factors with every subjective impression. I simply try my best to convey my own impressions and it's ultimately up to the viewers to decide if they are useful or not (based on their own experience and values). Regarding M-scaler, I have to say I fail to see much sense in using something that costs three times more than the DAC itself. So the usefulness of having two BNCs on Qutest particularly is debatable. I can't imagine most of Qutest owners ever considering M-scaler.
@@iiWiReviews The Qutest sounds stunning with the M-scaler. It was the proper choice for Chord to ensure it could be used with it rather than exclude it as an option only to avoid having to use a BNC adaptor. There are quite of few Qutest owners who use it with M-scaler.
@iiWiReviews. Hi there.Came across Your old Review. What I understood from it is that You thought the sound of the Chord Qutest with a linear power supply was excellent, but it was not worth 2000 dollars. My Question is in 2024 the Chord Qutest with an External power supply is available for just around a 1000 dollars and at that price it is cheaper than the Gustard R26, A26 and denafrips ares 12 - 1. At the present prices of the qutest Would You prefer the Qutest with LPS over Gustard R26, Gustard A26 and the Denafrips ares 12-1 only on sound Quality alone for a Neutral to Warm Stereo setup and Why?
i'M WANDERING how this device will reproduce the outi (modern eastern loute) of "Rabi Abou Khalil" or the guitar of Yamandu Kosta or the Citar of Anouska Shankar . There is the detail and the focus and the temper I like to feel.
I have a Hugo 2 ..and despite ..recessed ..input/ output connection issues .. with an Ifi power supply for $99 … it is amazing … add a 2Go .. even with … Software issues .. and DAC’s 2 or 3 times it’s price .. can be bested .. ..and you get a Headphone Amp …. Roon Endpoint .. local music storage .. .. have NOT used a Qutest .. in my system .. NimitraS, Modright KWH225i Integrated Hybrid Amp , Boenicke W8se+ …I do have a bias to Musicality vs Tweeter Ear bleeding
Good review. You forgot the filters but I guess direct is best. I haven't heard any of the two but I have been interested in the qutest as I'm using the mojo. I have read that some people prefer the mojo over the qutest soundwise. Maybe due to the battery? For me the mojo is warm sounding but at the same time very detailed, good soundstage and "moist" textures. It's like you can taste the sounds almost. The denafrips might be a killer in that regard though. However if you use the mojo as a stationary dac the battery will die in maybe 2 years. Replacement batteries have apparently been expensive but I found a seller on Ali express. It's also possible to bypass the battery altogether but then I suspect that you lose the filter from the battery and will need a high end power supply.
Nearly 1 year later... got my Qtest for about 1000€. And my only negative is that I would like the sound to be fuller... more meat on the bone. I really do hope a good PSU will fix that problem becasue as it stands now with a 50$ ifi PSU it literally made me not want to ply my music no more. The way I would describe Qtest so far, would be ... upgradeable. You can turn it in to 2000€ dac, or 3000€ dac. want to beat a 5k dac? Add an 4000€ M scaller, ad a 7000€ PSU . What you get is an extremely well made first piece of a puzzle you build as you go. Ares 2 may be a better deal for the price but you are also stuck with gear that you will soon look to replace. With Qtest I have an upgrade path up my end game system, with Qtest being replaced last, with no other component needing to replaced AND not holding back a 2-3000 euro amp. 1 year later: I got a JCat Initio 3 PSU, and I can say, I was right. The jump in performance was incredible. It had texture, more low end and better defined, more space between instruments, and the sound was actually moving. That PSU with extra cables is around 1000 Euros. and yes It is a significant upgrade over stock Qtest, and from what I heard more, better PSU will have an even better sound, but right now, for the first time, I see no reason to upgrade. This is totally a sound that I could live with for ever, and just invest in music, and occasionally a headphone.
Insane good for me, I heard a lot of dac previous to this, and always some sounds muddy others sound a bit bright and made in some cases good and very good sound... but the Qutest made Music.
It does not matter if it is a late review. I personally was waiting for you to review any Chord DAC. I am convinced that you are physically gifted with better hearing than most of us. Combined with mature listening skills, your observations and opinion have great value. Thanks for this review.
You just need to be able to identify ADSR -Attack Decay Sustain Rlease- relative to music reproduction.
yes you absolutely have the most terrestrially developed ears from anyone I have experienced! Zivio!
You have a great way of describing listening experience with words, mimic, and gestures. So easy to follow the little nuances you want to bring across. Thanks for your reviews.
The best audiophile channel...
This is the second review of yours I have watched. Your reviews are impressive. I have found that you display a much more natural confidence in what you are saying than any of the reviewers I have viewed until now. Thanks for your work!
I see you're in Serbia! When I was younger, I made many trips to the former Yugoslavia...Belgrade, in particular, is memorable to me. But again, kudos on the reviews, I very much appreciate your commentary on products and the way you listen to how you listen to gear. I'd be curious to know what kinds of music you use to audition gear.
Glad it made an impact, I'm located in the Belgrade and it is an interesting city. As for the music I use, I like blues, rock, jazz, pop... Electronics sometime (Daft Punk for example). I don't really listen to classical music, maybe few times a year. Sometimes I put a suggestion for a song in the video, I'll try to do that more regularly. Cheers!
@@iiWiReviews I loved traveling all over there, through Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia/Herzegovina - i never got down to Montenegro but, maybe one day.
I actually did catch a reference to a recording in a video I watched subsequent to this comment. I just love discovering new music....and it's also helpful to have references to certain sounds, certain music passages and instruments etc. that you use to test equipment.
Cheers!
Great review! You are truly becoming more and more professional in your reviews. Congratulations. BTW I agree with your disdain for MQA which has been a disaster for the industry. Keep up the excellent work! Thank you for your efforts
Great review! I bought Qutest 1.5 months ago. I was curious what you would say about its sound, because I have watched all your reviews of the DAC and I totally agree with you. Chord sounds as you say. Greetings!
Good to hear that, I will buy one next year.
Basses on Chord DACs are the most precise I've ever heard, no matter the price range. The definition on treble can be a little disturbing on some tracks but the general quality is very high. A good quality power supply definitely makes difference. On the other hand the Denafrips has a smoothness that's difficult to rival. Great review.
I want to thank you for this great work ! I really can hear on Chord Hugo 2 what you describe for Chord Qtest and that's why this video is so useful for me. Considering how hard it is to communicate what can be heard through audio gears, I strongly appreciate that you succeed so well in this aspect.
For all the CZcams reviewers that I follow, your's is the channel that drives some of my buying decisions. I have a Pontus II 12-1 and I love it. I was thinking about a Hugo TT2 because there are occasions when I miss the precise detail (usually found on Chifi). After watching this, I think I will keep my Denafrips. Although, I do wonder if the TT2 with its 100,000 taps vs the Qutest 50,000 taps improves on the lack of richness. Maybe if I have some kind of unexpected windfall of money, I'll buy the TT2 and have both. 🙂
This is the best comparison I have seen for these 2 DACs so far. I am considering these two and your explanation really clarifies which one I would prefer. Now the Qutest has increased its price to the US $1,945.00. So at this, price I would really like see your take on the Pontus II, which would still be cheaper at US $1810.00
iiWi, You have done it again. The major reviewers need to take a message out of your playbook. You have a way to convey and put sound into words with emotion, without all of the Word Salad!!!
I have one (Chord Qutest purchased in mint condition for a lot less than the retail price - owned for approx' 18 months) with an already great system and I can DEFINITELY recommend at LEAST trying one; Easy to set up / use. Changing to each of the 4 filter settings really does make it able to get the sound 'you' want (in my experience)... you can get detail AND warmth via the 3rd, or 4th filter setting) and most important of all... for an out of the box component it is (in my opinion) excellent and gets a coinsiderable amount more from your system... ultimately though and is often the way, a lot depends on 'your' system.
Wonderful review!! I just ordered the Denafrips.
Qutest way better
This is a great review, the first one I've seen where I feel like I can actually conceptualize how it will sound properly. The comparison with the Ares II was very helpful and actually gave me insight on how both DACs sound. Thanks !
Great review, you are top of the game!
Actually, I think there is a certain wisdom behind the Chord color-based selection scheme. You hear audiophiles always talking about the problem of objectivity due to their impression of what sounds good being skewed by KNOWING what settings they are listening to. Well, with the color coding, if you never take a peek at the color-coding key, the only thing you have to tell you what sounds best is YOUR EARS! So actually, the color-coded selection are quite clever, in that respect.
Odlično poređenje, potpisujem! Trenutno imam 3 različita DAC-a: Denafrips Ares II, Denafrips Terminator i Accuphase DAC-50 (modul u mom Accuphase E-480 pojačalu). Imam namjeru zadržati samo jednu DAC opciju, ali nakon višemjesečnog slušanja i komparacija, gotovo da je nemoguće odlučiti se koju, naročito ako se imaju i vidu različite cjenovne klase. Accuphase DAC-50 (duplo skuplji od Ares II) je najpraktičnija solucija, naginje Quest zvuku, ali mu nedostaje ono što je posebna Ares II zvučna signatura. Denafrips Terminator objedinjuje sve to na jedan fantastičan način (+ diže sve na kvadrat), doista jedan ultimativni high-end DAC! No, duplo je skuplji nego ova dva zajedno. Dakle, muka živa... Pozdrav iz Švedske!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍💪Congratulations you have described this component so accurately you really do have a way with words excellent I feel like I’ve heard it in person thanks to you best review so far congrats a big fan of yours stevecostello💪
Thank You for this comparison. I'm thinking of buying one of this two boys. Thanks a lot to show me the diferences between Ares II and Qutest, now I'm little bit more confused :). Maybe it's not about DACs but I'm a happy owner od Dayens Menuetto amplifier which came to me directly from Serbia! Thanks and please, keep doing your reviews, I love them!
Based on the amplifier you have from Serbia I would go with denafrapps Aries you already have a very clean amplifier I think it will be too much
You wasn't joking about the improvement in sound with the Shanti power supply on the Qutest, I was lucky enough to grab one recently and was pleasantly surprised.
Glad you like it. 👍 I joke a lot on this channel but never when I'm describing the sound.
I agree with your value/ratio thinking both for the reasons you mentioned and for one other reason. DACs are getting better and cheaper
each year. I see no reason to overspend today when tomorrow you may well be trading up again.
Though this is a 3 year old review, it is still relevant today. The reviewer is right on the money about the chord qutest.
Since purchasing a slightly used cutest that came with an upgraded ifi elite power supply at a very good price, I feel that I made an excellent choice.
There are so many choices in this price range. And, I have to admit that I am skeptical buying an expensive dac from China for the same reasons explained by the reviewer.
But, if you find the cutest on the used market for around half the price, it can't be beat for all the accurate sonic reasons he described. A good dac requires a good system, and visa versa. The cutest may be long in the tooth, but it's still is an unbeatable dac for its accuracy. Thanks to this reviewer for helping me make the right choice.
Love your reviews. So thorough and put in many perspectives. Thanks
Amazing review and a precise clear description. Subscribed!
denafrips has a re-seller in Germany, the guy has a youtube channel, very nice German guy.
Very good review and comparison between the Quetest and theDenafrips Area II. TQ.
I only discovered your channel a few weeks ago, and I'm really impressed by the way you can put sound and music into words.
One question... sorry, I might have missed it at the beginning of the video (and I looked again)... did you say before your sound description that you were testing the chord with a linear power supply? At least at the end, I think that everything you say refers to the test with the linear power supply. Because the cheap switch mode power supply is only mentioned by you at the end as the sonically inferior option in the comparison. Your comparison refers to the strong analytical sides of the chord, which are then reduced. But on the other hand, does everything become poorer or does the cheap power supply provide a little more timbre and tone, the characteristics that you like so much about the Ares2?
Thoroughly enjoyed the comparison , keep going
Hi Srboljub, congrats for the 10K subs milestone! I like your takes on so many audio devices, nice reviews btw! Great job!
I highly recommend trying Audio-gd R2R DACs. I have the Ares II and a discontinued DAC-19 that trounces it in everything (clarity, tone, timbre, soundstage) and at a slightly lesser price. The current Audio-gd R-1 is $900 and should be a good comparison.
Congratulations, you're very good at describing your feelings as they relate to the gear used. This is actually very difficult to accomplish and you aced it. I'm a fan of your reviewing style.
Love your way to speak and communicate. Good and clear. Like you think exacly like most of us. about dacs, I’d like to try Denafrips but is not possible. So, buying something without this step, plus near 800€ without a local support.....it’s not my way to GO on. so, I’m look to Metrum dac like Amethyst....
Nice review.
And a very good last thoughts talking about the warranty. I also add another Qutest "advantage" that is the tremendous build quality.
Great review as usual & really like your format. Hope in the future you could review multibit/R2R DAC from Schiit & Audio-GD around the same price of the Denafrips & Chord.
Thank you. I do have the Qutest, and after your review I will stay with it. Also I because have a Sbooster behind it. When I connected the Sbooster, I was amazed of the growth of the soundstage. And you are right, very, very precise soundstage. And also very good to follow all the slashes of a drummer/ drumsolo...for example. Very quick sound.
Great review.
After watching the sound demo video. You can hear everything you explained in this review quite easily. Even through mobile phone with headphones.
Keep up the great work.
Cheers from Australia.
Great review… earned a new subscriber here! Looking forward to more videos.
Good review. I'm looking at getting the Chord and price is an issue, albeit not the most important. I'm with you, I wouldn't pay full price, it would need to be part of a deal.
My subjective experience is different, FWIW here is my two cents. I owned the Denafrips for several months and listened to it daily. Emphasizing again this is my own subjective reaction to it, I found over a period of time a creeping dissatisfaction with the sound that was not part of my initial reaction to it. It simply annoyed me. Something about it was just not right. Eventually, I could not stand to listen to it at all. At that point I considered my options carefully and after a lot of research, decided to try the Chord Qutest. I liked it from the start and after many months I still like it. It’s not exactly a matter of detail but the sound is properly organized whereas my perception of the Ares’ sound is that it isn’t. I am using the cheap power supply that came with the Qutest, but I also have a high quality power conditioner and I have invested in good cables in the system. The most expensive cable is the digital coax (Audioquest Diamond), which contrary to much controversy, is the single upgrade that made the most startling difference with both DACs (Its retail cost is higher than the Denfrips). Of course it is unfair as you point out to compare the Denafrips directly to the Qutest given the price difference. My subjective evaluation is differs from yours however, in that I consider the Qutest using the switching supply that comes with it to be a very significant upgrade from the Ares. My own personal judgment is that the Qutest is the minimum acceptable level of performance acceptable for me. It is an accurate DAC that does not (for me) become fatiguing over time, whereas the Ares did not stand the test of time with respect to listening satisfaction. That is a very different perception, sad and unfair though it may be that the entry level to long-term
listening satisfaction seems to begin at the Qutest’s price point. That power supply upgrade you reviewed sounds like a real find and an outstanding bargain given it can power both a DAC and streamer. Good job on that!
I have the Qutest along with another DAC that is much more revealing and agree with you that the Qutest is much easier to listen to for any extended length of time.
This review basically nailed down what i will get. I was on the fence between the ares and the Qutest but i could not get the Ares for a test drive but i could get the Qutest from MusicDirect. That said, this review basically answered my questions on the Ares. I have the same speakers you do (LS50) and I believe I have a quite a resolving system. I have SS amps and Tube Pre. I prefer resolving systems, able to hear distinct information on The recording. I use a MACBook Pro (2019) running Tidal + Roon and schitt Modius and I really feel that the modius is not resolving enough for me. I have a semi dedicated listening room with lots of treatments, thereby able to hear the nuances of the music. This is what i want and willing to go for. For the price, well i do know that’s its nearly double the price, but i tend to run them for a decade before i change things.
Don't get Qutest. Get something else if you crave for real feel in music. To analitical and distracting without dinamic.
Thanks for your honest review!
I don't have much money, so I often use my Anker powerbank which is basically a battery, instead of a linear power supply. It's maximum output is 18 Watts and so I've used it with three different dac/amps. You can totally tell the difference it makes and it lasts up to 8 hours. The only downside is it takes hours to recharge. Anyway I paid £20 for it, if anyone is interested.
The battery is definitely one way to go and certainly better than any freebie switching power supply. I just don't like the charging part.
@@iiWiReviews Powerbank is not good in the quality of power source because the using boosted circuit to change the 3.7V of the lithum Bateery to 5V, that take a lot of ripple.
@@iiWiReviews of course ,I think the 4xAA rechargable battery maybe is a good idea.
Thoughtful review that covers all the important bases. Regarding price performance, perhaps a better comparison would be with the Denafrips Pontus II which is around US$1700 at time of writing (July 2021) - it would give Cutest/Allo Shanti a run for their money.
Great review - thanks! I'll be listening to the qutest and denafrips pontus 2 for the next few weeks
Thank you. Love your reviewing style. Great video. I’ll be getting the Qutest.
Thanks a lot for this video. You have an amazing ear and are also very capable of concentrating on important information.
Wow what a review! Great job!
At last! The comparison I was looking for! Great work 👍
To be fair, a more interesting comparison for Qutest+PSU would be with the entry level Audiobyte Black Dragon. Both based on fpga (obviously different implementation), that one has class A output stage and linear PSU build in and is around 1900 Euros, vs 2000 for the Qutest+
For 1000 Euros you got ADI-2 FS. Produced in Germany so no taxes in Europe, not huge expenses if you need to send it back, general consent is it comes a little short in sound quality, but just a little, but with huge amount of options.
finally been waiting for this! bifrost 2 should be the middle ground between the 2 in terms of signature and for the same price of ares.
I would gladly try Bifrost 2 if not for very high shipping cost from US to Serbia, and 30% taxes. It would actually sum up to a very similar price as Qutest. Basically, Schiit has great price for US customers but not so much for most of the others. :(
I really like your work. Great reviews and good information.
Nice review. Qutest+PSU is more in price range of Denafrips Pontus... UK have a denafrips dealer (willow tree) - whether that's open to EU customers I don't know...
Qutest vs Pontus. That would be right battle.
Well articulated review sir, thank you
Great description. I haven’t heard the Ares 2 but I have heard the Chord DACs up to Dave and have owned several R2R DACs including a NOS Goldmund and Schiit Yggdrasil A2. Currently running a Mola Mola Tambaqui which provides the detail, speed and space of the Dave and the tonality of the best R2R DACs I have heard.
Mola Mola is about 10 times the price of Aries 😅
The Qutest seems to fluctuate in price quite a bit. I picked mine up for $1400 USD. Three months later it jumped to $1900. I've seen it go up and down from $1700 to $2100. If you want the Qutest just keep an eye on it bc the price changes often and by quite a bit.
Try if you can and bring the Musician Pegasus R2R dac which is the sister company of Denafrips ...it s slightly more expensive than AresII but with better parts inside comparable with denafrips Pontus ... i would like to know your opinion about it .
I agree with your assessment. In the UK this would be a great value. It is an awesome product that deserves its accolades. Outside the uk- or in the United States, it has serious competition at lower prices.
For 5v you don't need linear supply. It cam be got through 4xAA rechargeable batteries at much much lesser cost.
Outstanding review. You shared the most critical information with great precision and articulated your perceptions masterfully. Thank you. Bravo!
Great review! Lovely KEF speakers too.
Excellent review! As a Chord and Ares II owner, I agree with your findings😃👍.
Can it be worth having both the Ares II and the Chord Qutest and just swap between them depening on what type of sound you want. Or are they very similar in quality, and not worth having both?
Yes-while it’s always a personal preference the Ares 2 excels in providing a much wider soundstage and depth then the Cutest- so I listen to live concerts , jazz groups and vocalists with Ares. The Cutest is has in my opinion a bit more detail and depth with highs though doesn’t provide as wide s soundstage. Hope this helps!
RCA is just a connector type, not a cable. The adapter works very well when you use the expensive coaxials you already own.
I had Qutest four years in my setup. I swapped it to Schiit Gungnir Multibit and never looked back and never will.
Really great review and details 👏 Would be really fun to see Pontus compare to same price chord and diff on the aries 🎷🎸🌪 To buy dac is so difficult when you cant test them and i think alot of people looking at these dacs and with your detail reviews we can make a better choice . Keep up great work well done 👏
Please let us know what powersupply you use :)
extra
i think as well some people have problems with a bit sharp and edgy treble how can a dac help and wich one in that case ...
Long decay bass timber with r2r /ares2 (large sound stage, orchestra acoustic instruments and vocal preferred). Chord fpga is pin point musical aka all arounder.
This was much awaited video. Cheers
Great Comparison. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for that! Exactly what I was looking for. Hope to see a comparison with Schiit Bifrost or Burson Composer dacs!
I bought mine new for 1200$ and loving it to bits!
A bit late as it was a year ago...however I'm toying with either of these dacs.
Many thanks
Great Review!
Very informative. Thanks !
Great review as usual, now wondering about quttest vs RME.
Great review. Are u thinking about getting a topping pre90 to review? I'm curious to know how a dedicated pre amp for a dac would act...especially with the denafrips ares ii.
I use a usb battery pack bought from Amazon. And I can use it to also charge my phone
A really good review, thanks i enjoyed your opion
Excellent. Very articulate comparison.
Hey man. I really love your videos! - You are very very good at explaining all the different aspects of sound quality. You don't dwell on specs and features. You discuss the end result. I think most of us are interested in this approach... "Just give me how does it sounds" - And "How it compares" - By the way, where are you from?
Thanks! Glad you like it. I'm from Serbia, country in the southeast Europe. Cheers!
@@iiWiReviews Cool, thanks! - I was guessing Italy because your accent reminds me of Italians speaking English. :)
Great review. Chord’s audio designer, R. Watts, maintains that using a LPS yields no benefits and what you’d think as an improvement it’d be actually artificial. Perhaps a low noise PSU like the switch-mode iFi iPower mk2 would be an inexpensive alternative.
Thanks! I have great respect for gear designers but in the end they are salesmen too and need us to believe that they have everything figured out better then any other designer. So I tend to take every claim they make with a pinch of salt.
Great video,and very interesting points covered.
Not as good as the RME ADI-2 dac fs, a Qutest killer. The thing with the power supply is debatable .it depends on the patterning kit. On the rca socket. A bnc is 75ohms and chord may have had dual outputs in mind with m scaler. I would say MQA is liked for catalogue and good as cd / hi res.
Bang on with the sound descriptions . You are very good with that. - I agree it outlines the details and soundstage and you’ve got that spot on. Room around instruments.really nice description. The Ares 2 is a tonally thick sound I found.
In what sense? what are the sonic differences between these two?
fiogray see review / website
Old thread but this is still interesting. Wouldn't the rme be more of a benchmark dac3 killer? Both delta sigma designs with low distortion, a preamp function, and the flat soundstage that tends to plague such designs
@@nate_8403 RME is the best one. German make. Precise and excellent soundstage. Otherwise the top integrateds like Hegel or Accuphase would be stellar.
Hi iiWi, just a comment about the BNC connectors. Chord use twin BNCs to suit the M-Scaler as an input to the Qutest (and TT2 / Dave). BNC is a superior connector as you said so better that they do this and then people can always buy a BNC to RCA converter if they have a coax source they want to use 🙂
Hi PfS! That's an interesting observation, it didn't come to my mind because I never gave to much attention to M-scaler due to its price. I imagined it to be a companion for hi-end Chord DACs only. Cheers from Serbia!
Hi, thank you for your honest opinion. Regards, Max.
i got a demo of the Aries II and its a game changer. its obscenely good value. it sounds much better than my bryston bcd1 at a much higher price (and that is a brilliant cd player) its really lush and its definitely not a product that is level. buying it your engaging in system tuning so try to get a hands on before you buy. the chord dac on the other hand should work with most things and it has incredible levels of accuracy. violins sound like violins etc
Is Aries 2 not accurate?
@@morespinach9832 no it’s accurate but I think it’s warm and lush. It’s my sound I ended up buying a Pontus 2. I really love the denafrips sound
Certain DACS(and Amps) just have you picking out things in a song over just enjoying the music. Know your preference.
In terms of the Chord sound, I suspect that this might be one of those instances of audiophiles using their music to listen to their gear rather than using their gear to listen to their music 🤷🏻♂
Yes, i know it’s in a Much Lower Price Segment but, did you know there is now a Version ‘2’ of the iFi Zen DAC. Apparently it is MUCH Improved. How about a Review Video in the near future ? GR8 Channel. I am Sub’d. ATB
Good review again
Denafrips located Guangzhou, China. Chord designed & built in The UK. I know where my money is going. The Chord is available for less than £1k right now in The UK.
Impressive review, though I wish you'd thrown out some amps/headphones that pair well perhaps.
Another thing that would help put it in perspective for viewers is "how much" the expensive dacs are better than the cheaper ones. As someone newer to this space it seems probable that some people blow the DAC differences out of proportion compared to amps/headphones, so it would help the whole community to try to keep it in context
Great review!.. Also, would be great if you could review the Pecan Pie DAC/Streamer.
Good comparison. many thanks
What power supply upgrade was used for testing the Qutest? Thanks and I enjoy your reviews!
Your assessment of this device says more about your system (and listening biases) than the device. It can sound extremely “warm” when the recording contains warmth but doesn’t editorialize all recordings like the coloured offering from Denafrips.
Also, the 2 BNC inputs are there so that the device can be used to maximum effect with the company’s M-scaler which requires a double BNC cable connection to achieve the highest sampling rate.
System and personal biases are always factors with every subjective impression. I simply try my best to convey my own impressions and it's ultimately up to the viewers to decide if they are useful or not (based on their own experience and values).
Regarding M-scaler, I have to say I fail to see much sense in using something that costs three times more than the DAC itself. So the usefulness of having two BNCs on Qutest particularly is debatable. I can't imagine most of Qutest owners ever considering M-scaler.
@@iiWiReviews The Qutest sounds stunning with the M-scaler. It was the proper choice for Chord to ensure it could be used with it rather than exclude it as an option only to avoid having to use a BNC adaptor. There are quite of few Qutest owners who use it with M-scaler.
@iiWiReviews. Hi there.Came across Your old Review. What I understood from it is that You thought the sound of the Chord Qutest with a linear power supply was excellent, but it was not worth 2000 dollars. My Question is in 2024 the Chord Qutest with an External power supply is available for just around a 1000 dollars and at that price it is cheaper than the Gustard R26, A26 and denafrips ares 12 - 1. At the present prices of the qutest Would You prefer the Qutest with LPS over Gustard R26, Gustard A26 and the Denafrips ares 12-1 only on sound Quality alone for a Neutral to Warm Stereo setup and Why?
Would love so see a Video/review about the DAC SMSL M400. Gz from Germany
Granted :) czcams.com/video/rbbSBWLiS5c/video.html
i'M WANDERING how this device will reproduce the outi (modern eastern loute) of "Rabi Abou Khalil" or the guitar of Yamandu Kosta or the Citar of Anouska Shankar . There is the detail and the focus and the temper I like to feel.
Change speakers for magnepans and you hear 👂 real music with Hegel and qutest …🎉
I have a Hugo 2 ..and despite ..recessed ..input/ output connection issues .. with an Ifi power supply for $99 … it is amazing … add a 2Go .. even with … Software issues .. and DAC’s 2 or 3 times it’s price .. can be bested .. ..and you get a Headphone Amp …. Roon Endpoint .. local music storage .. .. have NOT used a Qutest .. in my system .. NimitraS, Modright KWH225i Integrated Hybrid Amp , Boenicke W8se+ …I do have a bias to Musicality vs Tweeter Ear bleeding
People with really nice amps tend to like the chord products
Good review. You forgot the filters but I guess direct is best. I haven't heard any of the two but I have been interested in the qutest as I'm using the mojo. I have read that some people prefer the mojo over the qutest soundwise. Maybe due to the battery?
For me the mojo is warm sounding but at the same time very detailed, good soundstage and "moist" textures. It's like you can taste the sounds almost. The denafrips might be a killer in that regard though.
However if you use the mojo as a stationary dac the battery will die in maybe 2 years. Replacement batteries have apparently been expensive but I found a seller on Ali express. It's also possible to bypass the battery altogether but then I suspect that you lose the filter from the battery and will need a high end power supply.
Nearly 1 year later... got my Qtest for about 1000€. And my only negative is that I would like the sound to be fuller... more meat on the bone. I really do hope a good PSU will fix that problem becasue as it stands now with a 50$ ifi PSU it literally made me not want to ply my music no more. The way I would describe Qtest so far, would be ... upgradeable. You can turn it in to 2000€ dac, or 3000€ dac. want to beat a 5k dac? Add an 4000€ M scaller, ad a 7000€ PSU . What you get is an extremely well made first piece of a puzzle you build as you go. Ares 2 may be a better deal for the price but you are also stuck with gear that you will soon look to replace. With Qtest I have an upgrade path up my end game system, with Qtest being replaced last, with no other component needing to replaced AND not holding back a 2-3000 euro amp.
1 year later:
I got a JCat Initio 3 PSU, and I can say, I was right. The jump in performance was incredible. It had texture, more low end and better defined, more space between instruments, and the sound was actually moving. That PSU with extra cables is around 1000 Euros. and yes It is a significant upgrade over stock Qtest, and from what I heard more, better PSU will have an even better sound, but right now, for the first time, I see no reason to upgrade. This is totally a sound that I could live with for ever, and just invest in music, and occasionally a headphone.
Insane good for me, I heard a lot of dac previous to this, and always some sounds muddy others sound a bit bright and made in some cases good and very good sound... but the Qutest made Music.