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Weiss 204 Dac or LTA Audio Aero Dac as an upgrade from Chord Qutest Dac

I am currently using a Chord Qutest Dac with my Lumin U2 Mini streamer.  The rest of my system as per my prior thread is Martin Logan 11A Impressions, Rogue Audio RP-1 preamp, Bryston 4B3 Cubed power amplifier. Has anybody had the opportunity to compare the Chord Qutest to the Weiss 204 Dac or the new LTA Audio Aero Dac. Looking to find out if both or either would be a substantial upgrade to the Chord Qutest. Alternative question, which Linear Power supply such as the S Booster added to the Chord Qutest make the biggest difference in better sound? Thinking don't have to upgrade DAC if the power supply option makes a big difference. 

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vinylvalet
902 posts
 

I've found these to be equal or superior to products like SBooster which are often rebranded and price elevated Chinese power supplies anyway. I'm currently using six across different applications in both my consumer stereo and professional production gear. I've also steered several audiophile friends in the same direction and they are pleased as well.

Linear Power Supply

cbrez
66 posts
 

I’ll start off by saying I can’t answer the comparison question, but I do own a Weiss 204. The LTA is very new and I thought the Herb Reichert review in Stereophile was interesting, even with the comparison to a much more expensive unit ultimately. I am a fan of LTA and own their microZOTL preamp and was interested in their DAC when I first heard about it, but decided to upgrade to the Weiss before the LTA was production ready.

One thing that took the Weiss to an even higher level was the addition of the new ModWright linear power supply that Dan Wright has designed for the 204. I am very impressed (caveat, I have not compared it to other LPS vendors). It really opened up the sound of the Weiss even more, added some additional dynamics, and perhaps what I was most surprised about, gave it an even more natural timbre. I liked the 204 quite a bit before in my system, but the ModWright was well worth it and they were great to deal with.

Again, not an answer to your question, but wanted to share my Weiss experience in case you did decide to go down that path.

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 

The Weiss is going to be closer in terms of your current tonal balance with the Qutest.  The LTA is going to be a bit warmer.  If you want to warm up your system a bit then the LTA is the way to go.  If you are happy with the tonal balance then the Weiss is brilliant.  

Full disclosure - I am a Weiss dealer and use the 204 in my office system.  I am nott an LTA dealer but Nicholas is a friend and I am a fan of their products.  

 

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