Is a Chord Qutest Dac my best option

@shamus2211 

I have and very much enjoy a Chord Qutest.  I believe it is one of the great values out there.  Is it your best option, that I can't say; nor do I believe anyone else can say.  That is a decision you really need to make for yourself.  

Qutest is excellent dac. The only weak point is flimsy 5v power input receptance. You have to be very careful not to damage it. 

+1 Qutest ... a very nice DAC that will likely have you evaluating the other system components ...

I like it too. It’s good lookin’. It’s good soundin’. And it’s just always on. Exactly what I wanted in a DAC. I can’t think of anything I don’t like about it.

Really depends on your individual system and tastes.  What type of improvements are you looking for and what aspects of sound reproduction are most important to you?

I agree with siox statement which type of sound reproduction your looking for. I tried the Qutest and liked it very much but the RME adi-2 version 2 worked better in my system. I found the Qutest had a slightly better soundstage but the RME had better bass and was more natural, very transparent without being bright and more enjoyable. I did buy a Teddy Pardo outboard power supply which improved the soundstage. There are so many features you can do a lot with the RME. I did buy a Orchid but mostly listen to the RME. 

I am also a relative newcomer to the streaming world. About a year ago I dipped my toe in with a Bluesound Vault which was simple and relatively inexpensive. A couple of months ago I was able to demo a Qutest from a dealer I’ve done business with. I spent the weekend listening to it in the system and wrote the check. The Qutest was a big improvement to the Vault’s presentation. I’ve been very satisfied. 

The Qutest is a super value and delivers amazing sound.  I think people would zero in on the Qutest because it offers only single ended outputs and is superb for its price.

there are better DACs from Chord and from other brands.  The Qutest is phenomenal at its price point.  If less than $2K is your budget, that is what I would go with.  If less than $6K was your budget I would look at a TT2.  

I have previously owned the Qutest and found it to be an incredible DAC.  It is really amazing for the price, I definitely recommend a listen to compare to others in the under $3K price category.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone, I really appreciate it. I would point out though #Rego that at $10k for my pre and over 20k for my monoblocks, all connected with Kimber cables I have a system that has the slight warmth of tubes but the PRaT of a solid state and being fully class A it sounds superb playing CD or Vinyl. It has taken me many years to be able to afford a system of this ability and Pure Audio (designed by the guy who gave the world Perreaux and Plinius and has been involved in design with B&W) is one of New Zealands best kept secret. I only asked about the chord becuase it was recommended to me by a local hifi store that does not do free trials (what has gone wrong with the hifi industry?). My TT is a Well-Tempered Versalex with an Ortofon Cadenza Black. A very musical cartridge to say the least. I downsized from Monitor Audio Platinum PL300 (a superb British speaker) to the MA Golds and the sound difference in my smaller room was negligible. As for the Antipodes range of streamers and add-ons, these are very musical and well built devices and would be New Zealands second best kept secret. I have been to their factory and they take hifi and music very seriously indeed. There will be no reason for me to evaluate my system because of a $1700 DAC, chord or not.I am thankful for having Audiogon for advice, and for some rather odd and interesting topics. It is all good fun, just never take anyone too seriously with those unusual posts. Enjoy them for what they are or maybe. One exception is Kenjiit, I am still waiting on his Worlds best speakers. They will not be forthcoming!!

@shamus2211, point made ... my intent is to support the idea of the noteworthy Chord DACs. My statement simply was meant to reflect on my experience with Qutest, TT2, DAVE, and M Scaler.
It was not a comment on the gear listed above.
Thanks to my Local Retail Shop the Qutest was available to me over one weekend. The TT2 and M Scaler I’ve listened to inserted into a full Reference System at the ’ Shop ’, and the DAVE M Scaler Combo was Demoed by Cord at the 2019 RMAF which is a local show for me.
Qutest represents - to me a notably highly resolving DAC.
Exceptional at less than $ 2000 USD.
That being said ... Lampi DACs and MHDT DACs both have heart felt support here on Audiogon.
Avalon Acoustics, Boulder Amplifiers, Rowland Design Group, and PS Audio are some of the nearby (for me) manufacturers located in CO.
I will not be making any apologies for my 2m Bronze Cart, my very fine
AQ ICs, and 12VS Cables.
Maybe you could tell the factory guys to lighten up a bit ...
#shamus2211, why did you single me out?
This may be fun and games for you but please don’t think that you can treat any one here with the same disregard that you are showing for @kenjiit.

@shamus2211

qutest is a very good dac, small form factor, excellent build -- excellent transparency, speed and rhythmic drive are its strong suits

there are other excellent dacs that will provide a more weighty, fuller 'rounder' presentation 

depends on the nature of the presentation you seek in your system

Hi Rego, you should not feel that I was having a go at you, I was merely pointing out that I doubted a Chord DAC would make me evaluate my system, it will be the Chord that stays or goes if I buy it. I apologise unreservedly if you felt I was taking the pi--! I was not. I have read a number of posts of yours and you always seem reasonable and fair. I do prefer your second post on my topic though, but only because a) we have hopefully cleared the air and b) you gave up two extra DACs to consider. That's a win/win Rego. Warm regards, Sean