Chord Qutest Upgrade

Congratulations, @mlapenta . I think you’re going to love the Aero.

Did you, by chance, read this review on different tubes in the Aero?  I have not heard the Ray Reserves in either of my Aeros, but I will say that Tung-Sol black base, oval plates sound amazing, and better than Tung-Sol rectangular plates, Sylvania GT Bad Boys and a few other well regarded NOS 6SN7 and 12SN7s. If you have opportunity, i really encourage you to try a pair of the T-S oval plates.  

Denafrips Venus 15th, basically last year's Terminator.....and a brilliant performer

@mlapenta, if you enjoy the presentation of your Chord Qutest, then I’d say that you should try to demo a TT2. I had a brand new Qutest for almost a week before I went back to the audio store to listen to some speakers and hp’s, and I first heard the TT2. I went right home, boxed up the Qutest, and traded it for the TT2. 

Thanks but ordered LTA AERO.  TT2 beyond my budget.  

Thanks all

Report:  i added booster to my LUMIN u1 mini, big difference

Then i took delivery of my LTA AERO DAC.  I will say even without break in i am 

very pleased.  I went with Ray Reserve tubes.  Initial impression.  Bass is deeper than Qutest and tight.  Biggest early difference is soundstage is much bigger with more 3d placement of instruments.  As a R2R with tube output stage, i don’t think “muddy” at all, it is very detailed and resolving, it is a smoother sound, lacks some of that digital harsh in upper mids.  Very happy so far,

thanks all for input 

NOW, I’m gonna save money for a LTA 40 amp