USB to Dual Coax Bridge for Qutest DAC

@drlou77 so take this with a grain of salt…because this was with a Lumin U1 Mini streamer going into the Chord Qutest…I never tried the DH Labs Mirage with the M3. But the improvements were: natural tone, no hint of digital glare, fuller sound, fuller bass and the more vibrant midrange. Soundstage improved as well. You won’t know what the DH Labs is lacking until you try a USB cable such as the Audience. If you can move the components closer, you can pick up a used Audience USB for not much more than that new 2m Mirage. Try the mirage first. No need to go crazy as it’s a decent USB cable.

I assume you were running the Qutest with RCA cables. At some point, if you system allows, try the M3 with a good set of XLR cables. But as I mentioned earlier, get a baseline with your configuration as is. You can realize more if the M3 potential later. 
When you connect the M3, don’t forget to set it to 0db volume to bypass the preamp section if you’re not using it as a preamp. The USB cable will take time to settle. Don’t rush any afditchanges. 

@audphile1 

I've only listened to it for about 30 minutes thus far, but I am blown away.  I played AJA from Qobuz (24/192) and, wow. The sound was full, soundstage deep and wide, and the digital artifacts - gone.  
 

I am going to play it 24x7, for about nine days and then start listening critically, once my new USB cable is broken in.

Speaking of cables, The Cable Company will let me return the Mirage before 30 days, if I want to upgrade.

I did a quick search and they have this one:

It's not exactly the one you recommended, but I was wondering if it was close enough.

More to come next weekend.

Thanks.

I’m glad you liked the M3!!! I also knew you would. 😂

Let it all settle. If you like the Mirage, just keep it. Like I said before, it’s decent. 
As to Audience StudioOne…they say it’s a replacement for the AU24SE+. That’s what the rep told me when I called a while ago. Run the M3 round the clock with the new cable…it should sound even better when the cable breaks in but don’t be surprised if the sound will become harsh midway thru. I just experienced it with my AQ Diamond USB when it was breaking in. Just let it take its course for about 200hrs. Keep us posted. 
 

@audphile1 @tvad 

Hello to all.  I find myself in uncharted waters and need your help.

The M3 I purchased as a 9/10 item on US Audio Mart is not working as advertised.
 

The unit is connected to my preamp correctly, yet there is no sound when I play any tracks from Qobuz from my streamer.

I found a post on Audiogon from last year where @tvad Suggested pushing the Standby button for around 10 seconds and restarting the unit.  It worked once this morning, but once I switch sources in my preamp and went back to the Bricasti, no sound.

Spoke to Joe at Bricasti and he tried to help me, but to no avail.  No sound.

I’m packing it up and sending it in for service.  I notified the seller and he’s pushing back regarding paying anything towards shipping or repairs.  I paid him with PP friends and family, so I have no leverage.

Any thoughts?

What is your source of music?  What applications are you using ie Qobuz, Tidal, Roon, CD???   Are you using a music server, streamer, etc, wired, wireless?