UPGRADE PATH FROM CHORD QUTEST


My system currently consists of the following:  

1. Martin Logan 11A impression hybrid electrostatic speakers. 

2. Bryston 4B3 cubed power amplifier

3. Rogue Audio RP-1 preamp

4. Lumin U2 mini transport streamer

5. Chord Qutest Dac

Happy with the sound, but on many tracks on Qoboz the sound especially on rock leaves a lot to be desired. This could be the function of the source itself (the recording) is poor. Would a better DAC yield more detail and better sound? My price limit is about $5000.00.  Not looking to buy used. Wish to work with a dealer because I have found them to be incredibly helpful. Also looking for a company that provides phone customer support. There is nothing like a conversation or a discussion to solve an issue. I understand that my view is a minority view out there. As we are in a self-service world.  But I am used to a person picking up the phone and asking how can I help you?  Any thoughts would be sincerely appreciated.  Thank you. 

 

128x128kjl1065

First - This is an old, but interesting read/review on DACs. Please read it through to the end.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/borderpatrol-digital-analogue-converter-se

Two considerations for rocking:

Get a second set of speakers that are more suited to rocking (someone mentioned JBLs) to swap with your MLs when you have the itch. (I have Maggies and ProAcs to swap). 

and/or

Get a serious sub or 2 (I have a Rythmic 15 in sealed sub) and high pass the amp to your mains at say 50Hz.

 

 

 

@g2the2nd   Thanks for the link.  I find it interesting comparing the different deliveries of the dacs.

I would have to agree with a number of the recommendations  above, as a Qutest and Hugo TT2/MScaler owner- upgrade Qutest power supply and get rid of the JJ's, they sound as bad as in audio equipment as they do guitar amps. Poor recordings just exist and there is little you can do to remedy that.  

Nine times out of ten, if you’re disappointed with how a specific genre performs on your system, the speakers, the room, or both are the main culprit. Following those, the likely problem is your amplification and its synergy with your speakers.


Regarding the Qutest DAC, I found it produced a very mediocre, unremarkable sound. It was respectably resolving but didn’t circumvent any of the “glare” that’s typically encountered with mid-fi digital sources. To my ears it might as well have been a $200 Chinese DAC. In fact, there are budget Chinese DACs like the Topping E70 Velvet that sound far superior in my system.

@kjl1065 I used to have the Qutest with Rogue RP1, Rogue ST100’driving Martin Logan Montis. Streamer was Lumin U1 Mini. Very close to your setup. 
Qutest is amazing for the money, but…I eventually ended up moving to Benchmark DAC 3 HGC which was slightly better than the cutest in some regards but it was a bit cold and sterile in comparison. I sold the DAC 3 and got a Bricasti M3, which is a significant step up. I highly recommend the Bricasti. There are few available used now on USAM.