DAC UPGRADE QUESTION

A few I’ve been considering that seem to hit well above their retail price…

Okto dac 8 - interesting approach in optimizing a Sabre chip, also unique in their output stage

Gustard R or A26

Ladder Schuman

Have to say that anyone putting down any/all Topping DAC offerings is sadly mistaken. Although, I do agree the D90 is rather not right in the midrange. But currently using a D70s that sounds pretty damned wonderful. Really nice output stage on that one. It compares favorably against a Denafrips Pontus II. Has a surprisingly similar presentation to that of ladder dacs in general. Would say the Pontus still wins it out, but not by a very wide margin (heard each in the same system).

Try the Wyred4sound 10th anniversary DAC, it's $4,500 US and it's beaten dacs four times the price from Chord, COS 1, SIM audio Bricasti, would love to put it up against the way overpriced DCS and MSB DACs, it wouldn't shock me if it was as good or close to those way overpriced DACs, $80,000 that's a joke. one of the reviewers put it up against his VPI turntable with a $5,000 Japanese cartridge and he said it was every bit as analog sounding that's what made me try it and I never returned it, they also give you a 30-day money-back guarantee trial period.

Try the Wyred4sound 10th anniversary DAC, it's $4,500 US and it's beaten dacs four times the price from Chord, COS 1, SIM audio Bricasti, would love to put it up against the way overpriced DCS and MSB DACs, it wouldn't shock me if it was as good or close to those way overpriced DACs, $80,000 that's a joke. one of the reviewers put it up against his VPI turntable with a $5,000 Japanese cartridge and he said it was every bit as analog sounding that's what made me try it and I never returned it, they also give you a 30-day money-back guarantee trial period.

Lots of great recommendations here. If you want to squeeze as much performance out of your Qutest before the next big upgrade, I'd try a linear power supply, my Qutest responded nicely to the Sbooster, the extra filter thingy didn't seem to make any difference. I also think that the coax input sounds better than the USB. 

Most importantly, you can definitely improve your sound with some modest upgrades. Based on your budget you may want to consider looking at your cables, power cords, connections.  Spending money in this area would boost performance of your entire system.  As it relates to components I have not heard the Chord but have had Lumin in my system...D2 and T2.  What if you traded in the Chord and Lumin for a newer Lumin that does both (as others have suggested).  I think that is what I would do if it were me.  If you like the Lumin sound going up in their range only gets better.

Let us know how you make out!