UPGRADE PATH FROM CHORD QUTEST

@kjl1065, I had a Qutest before I upgraded to a Chord TT2/m scaler combo. The Qutest is a great little DAC that I wish I still owned because it’s such a neat little piece of audio kit. Have you tried using an aftermarket power supply for your Qutest like an iFi Elite X or an Sbooster? I found that it made a discernible difference in sound quality over using the stock Chord wall wart because it gave the music a feeling of less digital glare and a more analog sounding presentation. 

I like trying small tweaks first in my setup as opposed to looking for a several thousand dollar electrical box to solve all of my sound quality issues. 

Let me add a voice to the chorus on replacing the stock tubes in the RP1. I have the RP7, and a swap to RCA blackplates resulted in a world of difference in clarity, extension, and soundstage. 

LAIV HARMONY DAC.......Crazy Good Reviews.

One more pitch on tubes. Eliminating the J&J’s was the most sonically positive impact I ever made to my system. Much more than electronics, phono cartridge/stage, DAC, steamer, cables, power cords etc. Each of my new tube sets provide an excellent, strong & unique sonic signature. 

As others have said, your planned DAC change may improve your sonics, but with diminishing returns, the improvements will more than likely be subtle & not address your issue.

The J&J’s are like bottom of the line Shiit. They may be the best $12.50 tubes that money can buy, but IMHO do not belong in any quality system.

+1 in trying a better power supply with the qutest.

however, try to do this in terms of priority. My educated guess is that you’ll see much greater improvements by changing your tubes than with the LPS or another new dac.