It does not matter if it is a late review. I personally was waiting for you to review any Chord DAC. I am convinced that you are physically gifted with better hearing than most of us. Combined with mature listening skills, your observations and opinion have great value. Thanks for this review.
You have a great way of describing listening experience with words, mimic, and gestures. So easy to follow the little nuances you want to bring across. Thanks for your reviews.
I want to thank you for this great work ! I really can hear on Chord Hugo 2 what you describe for Chord Qtest and that's why this video is so useful for me. Considering how hard it is to communicate what can be heard through audio gears, I strongly appreciate that you succeed so well in this aspect.
Great review! You are truly becoming more and more professional in your reviews. Congratulations. BTW I agree with your disdain for MQA which has been a disaster for the industry. Keep up the excellent work! Thank you for your efforts
This is a great review, the first one I've seen where I feel like I can actually conceptualize how it will sound properly. The comparison with the Ares II was very helpful and actually gave me insight on how both DACs sound. Thanks !
Great review. After watching the sound demo video. You can hear everything you explained in this review quite easily. Even through mobile phone with headphones. Keep up the great work. Cheers from Australia.
For all the RUclips reviewers that I follow, your's is the channel that drives some of my buying decisions. I have a Pontus II 12-1 and I love it. I was thinking about a Hugo TT2 because there are occasions when I miss the precise detail (usually found on Chifi). After watching this, I think I will keep my Denafrips. Although, I do wonder if the TT2 with its 100,000 taps vs the Qutest 50,000 taps improves on the lack of richness. Maybe if I have some kind of unexpected windfall of money, I'll buy the TT2 and have both. 🙂
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍💪Congratulations you have described this component so accurately you really do have a way with words excellent I feel like I’ve heard it in person thanks to you best review so far congrats a big fan of yours stevecostello💪
Great review as usual & really like your format. Hope in the future you could review multibit/R2R DAC from Schiit & Audio-GD around the same price of the Denafrips & Chord.
This is the second review of yours I have watched. Your reviews are impressive. I have found that you display a much more natural confidence in what you are saying than any of the reviewers I have viewed until now. Thanks for your work!
I see you're in Serbia! When I was younger, I made many trips to the former Yugoslavia...Belgrade, in particular, is memorable to me. But again, kudos on the reviews, I very much appreciate your commentary on products and the way you listen to how you listen to gear. I'd be curious to know what kinds of music you use to audition gear.
Glad it made an impact, I'm located in the Belgrade and it is an interesting city. As for the music I use, I like blues, rock, jazz, pop... Electronics sometime (Daft Punk for example). I don't really listen to classical music, maybe few times a year. Sometimes I put a suggestion for a song in the video, I'll try to do that more regularly. Cheers!
@@iiWiReviews I loved traveling all over there, through Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia/Herzegovina - i never got down to Montenegro but, maybe one day. I actually did catch a reference to a recording in a video I watched subsequent to this comment. I just love discovering new music....and it's also helpful to have references to certain sounds, certain music passages and instruments etc. that you use to test equipment. Cheers!
iiWi, You have done it again. The major reviewers need to take a message out of your playbook. You have a way to convey and put sound into words with emotion, without all of the Word Salad!!!
Basses on Chord DACs are the most precise I've ever heard, no matter the price range. The definition on treble can be a little disturbing on some tracks but the general quality is very high. A good quality power supply definitely makes difference. On the other hand the Denafrips has a smoothness that's difficult to rival. Great review.
Odlično poređenje, potpisujem! Trenutno imam 3 različita DAC-a: Denafrips Ares II, Denafrips Terminator i Accuphase DAC-50 (modul u mom Accuphase E-480 pojačalu). Imam namjeru zadržati samo jednu DAC opciju, ali nakon višemjesečnog slušanja i komparacija, gotovo da je nemoguće odlučiti se koju, naročito ako se imaju i vidu različite cjenovne klase. Accuphase DAC-50 (duplo skuplji od Ares II) je najpraktičnija solucija, naginje Quest zvuku, ali mu nedostaje ono što je posebna Ares II zvučna signatura. Denafrips Terminator objedinjuje sve to na jedan fantastičan način (+ diže sve na kvadrat), doista jedan ultimativni high-end DAC! No, duplo je skuplji nego ova dva zajedno. Dakle, muka živa... Pozdrav iz Švedske!
Great review! I bought Qutest 1.5 months ago. I was curious what you would say about its sound, because I have watched all your reviews of the DAC and I totally agree with you. Chord sounds as you say. Greetings!
This is the best comparison I have seen for these 2 DACs so far. I am considering these two and your explanation really clarifies which one I would prefer. Now the Qutest has increased its price to the US $1,945.00. So at this, price I would really like see your take on the Pontus II, which would still be cheaper at US $1810.00
Great review. Are u thinking about getting a topping pre90 to review? I'm curious to know how a dedicated pre amp for a dac would act...especially with the denafrips ares ii.
Thank You for this comparison. I'm thinking of buying one of this two boys. Thanks a lot to show me the diferences between Ares II and Qutest, now I'm little bit more confused :). Maybe it's not about DACs but I'm a happy owner od Dayens Menuetto amplifier which came to me directly from Serbia! Thanks and please, keep doing your reviews, I love them!
Thank you. I do have the Qutest, and after your review I will stay with it. Also I because have a Sbooster behind it. When I connected the Sbooster, I was amazed of the growth of the soundstage. And you are right, very, very precise soundstage. And also very good to follow all the slashes of a drummer/ drumsolo...for example. Very quick sound.
I have one (Chord Qutest purchased in mint condition for a lot less than the retail price - owned for approx' 18 months) with an already great system and I can DEFINITELY recommend at LEAST trying one; Easy to set up / use. Changing to each of the 4 filter settings really does make it able to get the sound 'you' want (in my experience)... you can get detail AND warmth via the 3rd, or 4th filter setting) and most important of all... for an out of the box component it is (in my opinion) excellent and gets a coinsiderable amount more from your system... ultimately though and is often the way, a lot depends on 'your' system.
Thanks a lot for a very good review and interesting comparison. I’ve had the Chord Qutest for some time now coupled with a Bluesound Node 2i streamer and am very happy with it. I use it with the supplied power chord. Which power supply or Chord would you recommend to upgrade it? Best regards. Ignacio
Really great review and details 👏 Would be really fun to see Pontus compare to same price chord and diff on the aries 🎷🎸🌪 To buy dac is so difficult when you cant test them and i think alot of people looking at these dacs and with your detail reviews we can make a better choice . Keep up great work well done 👏 Please let us know what powersupply you use :) extra i think as well some people have problems with a bit sharp and edgy treble how can a dac help and wich one in that case ...
I highly recommend trying Audio-gd R2R DACs. I have the Ares II and a discontinued DAC-19 that trounces it in everything (clarity, tone, timbre, soundstage) and at a slightly lesser price. The current Audio-gd R-1 is $900 and should be a good comparison.
Love your way to speak and communicate. Good and clear. Like you think exacly like most of us. about dacs, I’d like to try Denafrips but is not possible. So, buying something without this step, plus near 800€ without a local support.....it’s not my way to GO on. so, I’m look to Metrum dac like Amethyst....
Hello I was wondering if you could recommend a DAC under 1600 dollar for gaming? I want to use it for competetive gaming so I can pinpoint excatly where enemy is by sound.
Good review. I'm looking at getting the Chord and price is an issue, albeit not the most important. I'm with you, I wouldn't pay full price, it would need to be part of a deal.
Try if you can and bring the Musician Pegasus R2R dac which is the sister company of Denafrips ...it s slightly more expensive than AresII but with better parts inside comparable with denafrips Pontus ... i would like to know your opinion about it .
Thoughtful review that covers all the important bases. Regarding price performance, perhaps a better comparison would be with the Denafrips Pontus II which is around US$1700 at time of writing (July 2021) - it would give Cutest/Allo Shanti a run for their money.
Hello! Great video! I also use Ares II. You say it only needs a power-cord. Would you recommend using expensive dedicated audiophile power cable on this DAC, or do you feel it is no problem to use the "free" cable that comes along? What do You use?
Actually, I think there is a certain wisdom behind the Chord color-based selection scheme. You hear audiophiles always talking about the problem of objectivity due to their impression of what sounds good being skewed by KNOWING what settings they are listening to. Well, with the color coding, if you never take a peek at the color-coding key, the only thing you have to tell you what sounds best is YOUR EARS! So actually, the color-coded selection are quite clever, in that respect.
I agree with your value/ratio thinking both for the reasons you mentioned and for one other reason. DACs are getting better and cheaper each year. I see no reason to overspend today when tomorrow you may well be trading up again.
Great description. I haven’t heard the Ares 2 but I have heard the Chord DACs up to Dave and have owned several R2R DACs including a NOS Goldmund and Schiit Yggdrasil A2. Currently running a Mola Mola Tambaqui which provides the detail, speed and space of the Dave and the tonality of the best R2R DACs I have heard.
Thanks a lot for the review. I am thinking about getting the power supply and a Qutest. However, I notice you also reviewed many other dacs. May I kindly ask which one just gives the best (focused) imaging and sound stage? I listen to instrumental music a lot, so imaging, sound stage, separation are important. Thanks a lot in advance.
Does the OS setting option within the AresII help you in certain music situations when you need more precision? Or do you feel the best music to be had out of the Ares II is only in NOS? Thank you for your thoughts on NOS vs OS.
I listen to my Ares in OS slow mode as I feel it's more detailed and spacious sounding than NOS that is warmer but less defined. Using NOS would only emphasize these differences between it and Qutest.
Maybe I've missed it, but I believe you did not mention if you use the oversampling or non-oversampling mode of the Ares2? I prefer the oversampling mode with slow filter which to me seemed like it added quite a bit of detail without losing the warm sound. Oh, never mind, I see you already have answered below.
Hello, thanks for this magic review. I like when music is embodied and soulful and I listen to jazz and rock. As i have a musical fidelity ms2i amp with Wharfedale denton 85 speakers, would you recommend me the Denafrip or do you think it is too hot for this partnering and I should should the Qutest ? (a lot of second test Qutest for 600 bucks available in France now)
I think you can put both in that system with good results. Ares II is not to warm sounding but it is warmer than Qutest. If you want to increase detail level and grip in your system then try Qutest. If you don't like it, you can always sell it at almost no loss (if you buy it second hand).
Hey man. I really love your videos! - You are very very good at explaining all the different aspects of sound quality. You don't dwell on specs and features. You discuss the end result. I think most of us are interested in this approach... "Just give me how does it sounds" - And "How it compares" - By the way, where are you from?
I've never heard a expensive DAC, also I don't have the opportunity either because of how far I live. How much or better is heard from a d50s (p50) or a su-1 compared to a Ares 2 or Qutest ?
great review.I appreciate the candor. I am considering a pontus which is about the same price as the cutest.I wonder if the pontus would have the detail of the qutest?
Congratulations, you're very good at describing your feelings as they relate to the gear used. This is actually very difficult to accomplish and you aced it. I'm a fan of your reviewing style.
You wasn't joking about the improvement in sound with the Shanti power supply on the Qutest, I was lucky enough to grab one recently and was pleasantly surprised.
An excellent review. I previously owned a Qutest DAC. I am now interested in getting a Denafrips DAC since I think it is most likely to improve the overall balance of my system, which can be a bit bright. Do you know if it works as a Roon endpoint?
I agree with your assessment. In the UK this would be a great value. It is an awesome product that deserves its accolades. Outside the uk- or in the United States, it has serious competition at lower prices.
This review basically nailed down what i will get. I was on the fence between the ares and the Qutest but i could not get the Ares for a test drive but i could get the Qutest from MusicDirect. That said, this review basically answered my questions on the Ares. I have the same speakers you do (LS50) and I believe I have a quite a resolving system. I have SS amps and Tube Pre. I prefer resolving systems, able to hear distinct information on The recording. I use a MACBook Pro (2019) running Tidal + Roon and schitt Modius and I really feel that the modius is not resolving enough for me. I have a semi dedicated listening room with lots of treatments, thereby able to hear the nuances of the music. This is what i want and willing to go for. For the price, well i do know that’s its nearly double the price, but i tend to run them for a decade before i change things.
Hello, I am putting a 2.0 stereo system consisting of Sonus Faber Sonetto V speakers, McIntosh MA352 hybrid Integrated amplifier and using a Bluesound Node as a streamer. I was thinking of this Chord Qutest as a DAC. Please advise if this Qutest could work or is there any other DAC/streamer that you can suggest such as Lumin D2? Thanks.
Hi, I haven't heard any of the components you're mentioning so can't say if Qutest would match nicely in terms of tonality. But making an educated guess drawn from other Sonus Fabers and McIntoshs I've heard over the years, it should be a nice match.
Long decay bass timber with r2r /ares2 (large sound stage, orchestra acoustic instruments and vocal preferred). Chord fpga is pin point musical aka all arounder.
To be fair, a more interesting comparison for Qutest+PSU would be with the entry level Audiobyte Black Dragon. Both based on fpga (obviously different implementation), that one has class A output stage and linear PSU build in and is around 1900 Euros, vs 2000 for the Qutest+ For 1000 Euros you got ADI-2 FS. Produced in Germany so no taxes in Europe, not huge expenses if you need to send it back, general consent is it comes a little short in sound quality, but just a little, but with huge amount of options.
@iiWiReviews. Hi there.Came across Your old Review. What I understood from it is that You thought the sound of the Chord Qutest with a linear power supply was excellent, but it was not worth 2000 dollars. My Question is in 2024 the Chord Qutest with an External power supply is available for just around a 1000 dollars and at that price it is cheaper than the Gustard R26, A26 and denafrips ares 12 - 1. At the present prices of the qutest Would You prefer the Qutest with LPS over Gustard R26, Gustard A26 and the Denafrips ares 12-1 only on sound Quality alone for a Neutral to Warm Stereo setup and Why?
Hi Srboljub, @iiWi Reviews, great review, very clear and hones, much approached, your channel is really non-baised, can i ask which DAC do you recommend for Klpich RP8000P, i am looking for musical tone
Thanks! In that case I would go for some kind of Multibit DAC... Starting with Schiit Modi Multibit as the cheapest option, or Bifrost as the more expensive one. Denafrips Ares II is also one of my favorites and I personally use it.
About MQA…I use Tidal, of course there are some MQA tracks. Does it mean the song will be played on the Tidal HiFi level or how would be the Quality with this Dac?
I always appreciate the descriptions in your reviews. However you did state that you are coming back to the different settings on this DAC. In the end you wrap things up without getting back to that. Which settings did you use to compare each DAC?
Hello and thank you very much for you video. It helps a lot. I already have the Qutest and I was wondering how much the Qutest will sound better with the Shanti power supply ? Is there really a significant difference ? I might also want to buy the Denafrips Ares II since I have 2 different sets of headphones amps. I don't have the money to buy 2 Qutest, and plug and un-plug cables from one to the other headphone amp, I'm afraid that I might with time, damage the connectors. I only listen on headphones because my room is too small and not treated. Thanks again. Cheers from Belgium
To my eras it's big enough difference that I wouldn't go back, especially having in mind the price of Qutest and that this is just like 10-15% addition. In that context I feel it's really worth it.
@@iiWiReviews I have just ordered one and I'm seeing right now your video about the Allo Shanti. Is it better to use the 3v out or the1v, or it doesn't matter ? Thank you
I would use 3A if you have both available, but know that 1A will also work if you ever need to power something more power hungry with the 3A one (for example a streamer of some sort).
It does not matter if it is a late review. I personally was waiting for you to review any Chord DAC. I am convinced that you are physically gifted with better hearing than most of us. Combined with mature listening skills, your observations and opinion have great value. Thanks for this review.
You just need to be able to identify ADSR -Attack Decay Sustain Rlease- relative to music reproduction.
yes you absolutely have the most terrestrially developed ears from anyone I have experienced! Zivio!
You have a great way of describing listening experience with words, mimic, and gestures. So easy to follow the little nuances you want to bring across. Thanks for your reviews.
The best audiophile channel...
I want to thank you for this great work ! I really can hear on Chord Hugo 2 what you describe for Chord Qtest and that's why this video is so useful for me. Considering how hard it is to communicate what can be heard through audio gears, I strongly appreciate that you succeed so well in this aspect.
Love your reviews. So thorough and put in many perspectives. Thanks
Amazing review and a precise clear description. Subscribed!
Great review! You are truly becoming more and more professional in your reviews. Congratulations. BTW I agree with your disdain for MQA which has been a disaster for the industry. Keep up the excellent work! Thank you for your efforts
This is a great review, the first one I've seen where I feel like I can actually conceptualize how it will sound properly. The comparison with the Ares II was very helpful and actually gave me insight on how both DACs sound. Thanks !
Thoroughly enjoyed the comparison , keep going
Great review.
After watching the sound demo video. You can hear everything you explained in this review quite easily. Even through mobile phone with headphones.
Keep up the great work.
Cheers from Australia.
Hi Srboljub, congrats for the 10K subs milestone! I like your takes on so many audio devices, nice reviews btw! Great job!
Wonderful review!! I just ordered the Denafrips.
Great review, you are top of the game!
Thank you. Love your reviewing style. Great video. I’ll be getting the Qutest.
I really like your work. Great reviews and good information.
This was much awaited video. Cheers
Great review - thanks! I'll be listening to the qutest and denafrips pontus 2 for the next few weeks
For all the RUclips reviewers that I follow, your's is the channel that drives some of my buying decisions. I have a Pontus II 12-1 and I love it. I was thinking about a Hugo TT2 because there are occasions when I miss the precise detail (usually found on Chifi). After watching this, I think I will keep my Denafrips. Although, I do wonder if the TT2 with its 100,000 taps vs the Qutest 50,000 taps improves on the lack of richness. Maybe if I have some kind of unexpected windfall of money, I'll buy the TT2 and have both. 🙂
Wow what a review! Great job!
Well articulated review sir, thank you
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👍👍💪Congratulations you have described this component so accurately you really do have a way with words excellent I feel like I’ve heard it in person thanks to you best review so far congrats a big fan of yours stevecostello💪
Great review as usual & really like your format. Hope in the future you could review multibit/R2R DAC from Schiit & Audio-GD around the same price of the Denafrips & Chord.
This is the second review of yours I have watched. Your reviews are impressive. I have found that you display a much more natural confidence in what you are saying than any of the reviewers I have viewed until now. Thanks for your work!
I see you're in Serbia! When I was younger, I made many trips to the former Yugoslavia...Belgrade, in particular, is memorable to me. But again, kudos on the reviews, I very much appreciate your commentary on products and the way you listen to how you listen to gear. I'd be curious to know what kinds of music you use to audition gear.
Glad it made an impact, I'm located in the Belgrade and it is an interesting city. As for the music I use, I like blues, rock, jazz, pop... Electronics sometime (Daft Punk for example). I don't really listen to classical music, maybe few times a year. Sometimes I put a suggestion for a song in the video, I'll try to do that more regularly. Cheers!
@@iiWiReviews I loved traveling all over there, through Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia/Herzegovina - i never got down to Montenegro but, maybe one day.
I actually did catch a reference to a recording in a video I watched subsequent to this comment. I just love discovering new music....and it's also helpful to have references to certain sounds, certain music passages and instruments etc. that you use to test equipment.
Cheers!
Great review… earned a new subscriber here! Looking forward to more videos.
Very good review and comparison between the Quetest and theDenafrips Area II. TQ.
Great video,and very interesting points covered.
iiWi, You have done it again. The major reviewers need to take a message out of your playbook. You have a way to convey and put sound into words with emotion, without all of the Word Salad!!!
Basses on Chord DACs are the most precise I've ever heard, no matter the price range. The definition on treble can be a little disturbing on some tracks but the general quality is very high. A good quality power supply definitely makes difference. On the other hand the Denafrips has a smoothness that's difficult to rival. Great review.
Thanks a lot for this video. You have an amazing ear and are also very capable of concentrating on important information.
Great review! Lovely KEF speakers too.
Odlično poređenje, potpisujem! Trenutno imam 3 različita DAC-a: Denafrips Ares II, Denafrips Terminator i Accuphase DAC-50 (modul u mom Accuphase E-480 pojačalu). Imam namjeru zadržati samo jednu DAC opciju, ali nakon višemjesečnog slušanja i komparacija, gotovo da je nemoguće odlučiti se koju, naročito ako se imaju i vidu različite cjenovne klase. Accuphase DAC-50 (duplo skuplji od Ares II) je najpraktičnija solucija, naginje Quest zvuku, ali mu nedostaje ono što je posebna Ares II zvučna signatura. Denafrips Terminator objedinjuje sve to na jedan fantastičan način (+ diže sve na kvadrat), doista jedan ultimativni high-end DAC! No, duplo je skuplji nego ova dva zajedno. Dakle, muka živa... Pozdrav iz Švedske!
Very informative. Thanks !
Great review! I bought Qutest 1.5 months ago. I was curious what you would say about its sound, because I have watched all your reviews of the DAC and I totally agree with you. Chord sounds as you say. Greetings!
Good to hear that, I will buy one next year.
A really good review, thanks i enjoyed your opion
Good review again
This is the best comparison I have seen for these 2 DACs so far. I am considering these two and your explanation really clarifies which one I would prefer. Now the Qutest has increased its price to the US $1,945.00. So at this, price I would really like see your take on the Pontus II, which would still be cheaper at US $1810.00
At last! The comparison I was looking for! Great work 👍
Thanks for that! Exactly what I was looking for. Hope to see a comparison with Schiit Bifrost or Burson Composer dacs!
Great review. Are u thinking about getting a topping pre90 to review? I'm curious to know how a dedicated pre amp for a dac would act...especially with the denafrips ares ii.
Great Comparison. Thanks for the video.
Thank You for this comparison. I'm thinking of buying one of this two boys. Thanks a lot to show me the diferences between Ares II and Qutest, now I'm little bit more confused :). Maybe it's not about DACs but I'm a happy owner od Dayens Menuetto amplifier which came to me directly from Serbia! Thanks and please, keep doing your reviews, I love them!
Based on the amplifier you have from Serbia I would go with denafrapps Aries you already have a very clean amplifier I think it will be too much
Nice review.
And a very good last thoughts talking about the warranty. I also add another Qutest "advantage" that is the tremendous build quality.
Thank you. I do have the Qutest, and after your review I will stay with it. Also I because have a Sbooster behind it. When I connected the Sbooster, I was amazed of the growth of the soundstage. And you are right, very, very precise soundstage. And also very good to follow all the slashes of a drummer/ drumsolo...for example. Very quick sound.
Great video - thanks!
I have one (Chord Qutest purchased in mint condition for a lot less than the retail price - owned for approx' 18 months) with an already great system and I can DEFINITELY recommend at LEAST trying one; Easy to set up / use. Changing to each of the 4 filter settings really does make it able to get the sound 'you' want (in my experience)... you can get detail AND warmth via the 3rd, or 4th filter setting) and most important of all... for an out of the box component it is (in my opinion) excellent and gets a coinsiderable amount more from your system... ultimately though and is often the way, a lot depends on 'your' system.
Thanks a lot for a very good review and interesting comparison. I’ve had the Chord Qutest for some time now coupled with a Bluesound Node 2i streamer and am very happy with it. I use it with the supplied power chord. Which power supply or Chord would you recommend to upgrade it? Best regards. Ignacio
Great review as usual, now wondering about quttest vs RME.
Really great review and details 👏 Would be really fun to see Pontus compare to same price chord and diff on the aries 🎷🎸🌪 To buy dac is so difficult when you cant test them and i think alot of people looking at these dacs and with your detail reviews we can make a better choice . Keep up great work well done 👏
Please let us know what powersupply you use :)
extra
i think as well some people have problems with a bit sharp and edgy treble how can a dac help and wich one in that case ...
Good comparison. many thanks
Excellent. Very articulate comparison.
What power supply upgrade was used for testing the Qutest? Thanks and I enjoy your reviews!
I highly recommend trying Audio-gd R2R DACs. I have the Ares II and a discontinued DAC-19 that trounces it in everything (clarity, tone, timbre, soundstage) and at a slightly lesser price. The current Audio-gd R-1 is $900 and should be a good comparison.
Great review!.. Also, would be great if you could review the Pecan Pie DAC/Streamer.
Love your way to speak and communicate. Good and clear. Like you think exacly like most of us. about dacs, I’d like to try Denafrips but is not possible. So, buying something without this step, plus near 800€ without a local support.....it’s not my way to GO on. so, I’m look to Metrum dac like Amethyst....
Nice review.
Hello I was wondering if you could recommend a DAC under 1600 dollar for gaming? I want to use it for competetive gaming so I can pinpoint excatly where enemy is by sound.
Good review. I'm looking at getting the Chord and price is an issue, albeit not the most important. I'm with you, I wouldn't pay full price, it would need to be part of a deal.
Does smaller DAC means sound is compromised compared to bigger DACs ? By the way pls review mdac plus , rega r DAC
denafrips has a re-seller in Germany, the guy has a youtube channel, very nice German guy.
Outstanding review. You shared the most critical information with great precision and articulated your perceptions masterfully. Thank you. Bravo!
Try if you can and bring the Musician Pegasus R2R dac which is the sister company of Denafrips ...it s slightly more expensive than AresII but with better parts inside comparable with denafrips Pontus ... i would like to know your opinion about it .
Thoughtful review that covers all the important bases. Regarding price performance, perhaps a better comparison would be with the Denafrips Pontus II which is around US$1700 at time of writing (July 2021) - it would give Cutest/Allo Shanti a run for their money.
Hello! Great video! I also use Ares II. You say it only needs a power-cord. Would you recommend using expensive dedicated audiophile power cable on this DAC, or do you feel it is no problem to use the "free" cable that comes along? What do You use?
For me, DACs are the only thing that immediately benefit from a better power cable... Not expensive, but shielded at least.
Actually, I think there is a certain wisdom behind the Chord color-based selection scheme. You hear audiophiles always talking about the problem of objectivity due to their impression of what sounds good being skewed by KNOWING what settings they are listening to. Well, with the color coding, if you never take a peek at the color-coding key, the only thing you have to tell you what sounds best is YOUR EARS! So actually, the color-coded selection are quite clever, in that respect.
I agree with your value/ratio thinking both for the reasons you mentioned and for one other reason. DACs are getting better and cheaper
each year. I see no reason to overspend today when tomorrow you may well be trading up again.
Great description. I haven’t heard the Ares 2 but I have heard the Chord DACs up to Dave and have owned several R2R DACs including a NOS Goldmund and Schiit Yggdrasil A2. Currently running a Mola Mola Tambaqui which provides the detail, speed and space of the Dave and the tonality of the best R2R DACs I have heard.
Mola Mola is about 10 times the price of Aries 😅
Thanks a lot for the review. I am thinking about getting the power supply and a Qutest. However, I notice you also reviewed many other dacs. May I kindly ask which one just gives the best (focused) imaging and sound stage? I listen to instrumental music a lot, so imaging, sound stage, separation are important. Thanks a lot in advance.
Amongst all the tested DACs, Qutest is the champion when it comes to imaging, layering, and soundstage.
Does the OS setting option within the AresII help you in certain music situations when you need more precision? Or do you feel the best music to be had out of the Ares II is only in NOS? Thank you for your thoughts on NOS vs OS.
I listen to my Ares in OS slow mode as I feel it's more detailed and spacious sounding than NOS that is warmer but less defined. Using NOS would only emphasize these differences between it and Qutest.
Hi, thank you for your honest opinion. Regards, Max.
If I read the frequency response of the ares 2 don't you think the treble is too high? Correct me if I am wrong
Maybe I've missed it, but I believe you did not mention if you use the oversampling or non-oversampling mode of the Ares2? I prefer the oversampling mode with slow filter which to me seemed like it added quite a bit of detail without losing the warm sound. Oh, never mind, I see you already have answered below.
I am curious about. how much of an improvement when you change from Modi Multibit to Denafrips Ares 2?
Hello, thanks for this magic review. I like when music is embodied and soulful and I listen to jazz and rock. As i have a musical fidelity ms2i amp with Wharfedale denton 85 speakers, would you recommend me the Denafrip or do you think it is too hot for this partnering and I should should the Qutest ? (a lot of second test Qutest for 600 bucks available in France now)
I think you can put both in that system with good results. Ares II is not to warm sounding but it is warmer than Qutest. If you want to increase detail level and grip in your system then try Qutest. If you don't like it, you can always sell it at almost no loss (if you buy it second hand).
Is cutest good emotionally ? Can this sound get fatigue?
Hey man. I really love your videos! - You are very very good at explaining all the different aspects of sound quality. You don't dwell on specs and features. You discuss the end result. I think most of us are interested in this approach... "Just give me how does it sounds" - And "How it compares" - By the way, where are you from?
Thanks! Glad you like it. I'm from Serbia, country in the southeast Europe. Cheers!
@@iiWiReviews Cool, thanks! - I was guessing Italy because your accent reminds me of Italians speaking English. :)
I've never heard a expensive DAC, also I don't have the opportunity either because of how far I live. How much or better is heard from a d50s (p50) or a su-1 compared to a Ares 2 or Qutest ?
Does anyone have any feedback on the Chord 2Qute? How does it sound? Pluses, minuses? I can get one new for $850. Wondering if it is worth it.
How about Qutest with good power supply vs Pontus II?
Any chance of you reviewing Schiit Bifrost 2?
great review.I appreciate the candor. I am considering a pontus which is about the same price as the cutest.I wonder if the pontus would have the detail of the qutest?
I haven't heard the Pontus but I'm wondering the same thing. Would like to try it one day...
was this before or after the Mike (audiohead) tweaks?
Congratulations, you're very good at describing your feelings as they relate to the gear used. This is actually very difficult to accomplish and you aced it. I'm a fan of your reviewing style.
You wasn't joking about the improvement in sound with the Shanti power supply on the Qutest, I was lucky enough to grab one recently and was pleasantly surprised.
Glad you like it. 👍 I joke a lot on this channel but never when I'm describing the sound.
An excellent review. I previously owned a Qutest DAC. I am now interested in getting a Denafrips DAC since I think it is most likely to improve the overall balance of my system, which can be a bit bright. Do you know if it works as a Roon endpoint?
I agree with your assessment. In the UK this would be a great value. It is an awesome product that deserves its accolades. Outside the uk- or in the United States, it has serious competition at lower prices.
This review basically nailed down what i will get. I was on the fence between the ares and the Qutest but i could not get the Ares for a test drive but i could get the Qutest from MusicDirect. That said, this review basically answered my questions on the Ares. I have the same speakers you do (LS50) and I believe I have a quite a resolving system. I have SS amps and Tube Pre. I prefer resolving systems, able to hear distinct information on The recording. I use a MACBook Pro (2019) running Tidal + Roon and schitt Modius and I really feel that the modius is not resolving enough for me. I have a semi dedicated listening room with lots of treatments, thereby able to hear the nuances of the music. This is what i want and willing to go for. For the price, well i do know that’s its nearly double the price, but i tend to run them for a decade before i change things.
Don't get Qutest. Get something else if you crave for real feel in music. To analitical and distracting without dinamic.
Hello, I am putting a 2.0 stereo system consisting of Sonus Faber Sonetto V speakers, McIntosh MA352 hybrid Integrated amplifier and using a Bluesound Node as a streamer. I was thinking of this Chord Qutest as a DAC. Please advise if this Qutest could work or is there any other DAC/streamer that you can suggest such as Lumin D2? Thanks.
Hi, I haven't heard any of the components you're mentioning so can't say if Qutest would match nicely in terms of tonality. But making an educated guess drawn from other Sonus Fabers and McIntoshs I've heard over the years, it should be a nice match.
Long decay bass timber with r2r /ares2 (large sound stage, orchestra acoustic instruments and vocal preferred). Chord fpga is pin point musical aka all arounder.
RME vs Qutest? I think RME will have a more revealing sound and bigger sound stage?
To be fair, a more interesting comparison for Qutest+PSU would be with the entry level Audiobyte Black Dragon. Both based on fpga (obviously different implementation), that one has class A output stage and linear PSU build in and is around 1900 Euros, vs 2000 for the Qutest+
For 1000 Euros you got ADI-2 FS. Produced in Germany so no taxes in Europe, not huge expenses if you need to send it back, general consent is it comes a little short in sound quality, but just a little, but with huge amount of options.
@iiWiReviews. Hi there.Came across Your old Review. What I understood from it is that You thought the sound of the Chord Qutest with a linear power supply was excellent, but it was not worth 2000 dollars. My Question is in 2024 the Chord Qutest with an External power supply is available for just around a 1000 dollars and at that price it is cheaper than the Gustard R26, A26 and denafrips ares 12 - 1. At the present prices of the qutest Would You prefer the Qutest with LPS over Gustard R26, Gustard A26 and the Denafrips ares 12-1 only on sound Quality alone for a Neutral to Warm Stereo setup and Why?
Is it normal Dac at this price no balanced output? I'm new to this hobby.
Hi Srboljub, @iiWi Reviews, great review, very clear and hones, much approached, your channel is really non-baised, can i ask which DAC do you recommend for Klpich RP8000P, i am looking for musical tone
Thanks! In that case I would go for some kind of Multibit DAC... Starting with Schiit Modi Multibit as the cheapest option, or Bifrost as the more expensive one. Denafrips Ares II is also one of my favorites and I personally use it.
@@iiWiReviews much appreciated , best review channel
I have the Qutest currently and have 30 more days to return. My concern will there be a upgrade in 2024?
About MQA…I use Tidal, of course there are some MQA tracks. Does it mean the song will be played on the Tidal HiFi level or how would be the Quality with this Dac?
Yes, it would be played at the HiFi level that tops at 24bit/48kHz on Tidal.
A bit late as it was a year ago...however I'm toying with either of these dacs.
Many thanks
I always appreciate the descriptions in your reviews.
However you did state that you are coming back to the different settings on this DAC. In the end you wrap things up without getting back to that. Which settings did you use to compare each DAC?
On Ares I find OS slow best sounding, while on Qutest I mostly used neutral (white color) filter.
@@iiWiReviews
Thanks. Very helpful 👍
For 5v you don't need linear supply. It cam be got through 4xAA rechargeable batteries at much much lesser cost.
I bought mine new for 1200$ and loving it to bits!
Hello and thank you very much for you video. It helps a lot. I already have the Qutest and I was wondering how much the Qutest will sound better with the Shanti power supply ? Is there really a significant difference ? I might also want to buy the Denafrips Ares II since I have 2 different sets of headphones amps. I don't have the money to buy 2 Qutest, and plug and un-plug cables from one to the other headphone amp, I'm afraid that I might with time, damage the connectors. I only listen on headphones because my room is too small and not treated. Thanks again. Cheers from Belgium
To my eras it's big enough difference that I wouldn't go back, especially having in mind the price of Qutest and that this is just like 10-15% addition. In that context I feel it's really worth it.
@@iiWiReviews thank you very much for your message. Have a nice day 😊
@@iiWiReviews I have just ordered one and I'm seeing right now your video about the Allo Shanti. Is it better to use the 3v out or the1v, or it doesn't matter ? Thank you
I would use 3A if you have both available, but know that 1A will also work if you ever need to power something more power hungry with the 3A one (for example a streamer of some sort).
@@iiWiReviews thank you very much 😊
Would love so see a Video/review about the DAC SMSL M400. Gz from Germany
Granted :) ruclips.net/video/rbbSBWLiS5c/видео.html