Amber Audio
This is the Day
If you can find a used Chord QBD76, give it a try. I never thought music could sound so organic and real through a DAC. It sounds more like vinyl than digital with the Chord.
Go for the real deal and buy a TT
If you can find a used Chord QBD76, give it a try. I never thought music could sound so organic and real through a DAC. It sounds more like vinyl than digital with the Chord.
It’s also a high quality Pre Amp, none of the other DACs with a volume control I’ve tried, not even the RME have made me want to use them direct to Power Amps, the Bartok is that good I’m looking at an ADC so I can use it with my Phono stage and remove an Integrated/Preamplifier from the system.As AmberAudio said, the dCS Bartok (like the Rossini) includes the streamer. He forgot to mention that the ergonomics are in a different class with an informative screen instead of a set of refer-to-the-manual colours, none of the sockets are recessed into the case work so will take whatever choice of cable you like... Oh, and the internal firmware can be updated via internet.
Not a big ‘phones guy, suspect it would be very good, if I were to go down the headphone rabbit hole I’d want to check out a top Stax rig against it.If I needed a dac and had the mula I’d go for the DCS too although it might be Ott for headphone use!
I had the Qutest and RME ADI V1 and kept the RME, sound quality wise pretty much nothing in it, features and ergonomics the Qutest lost. They both have filters but subtle changes only.OK great info - with reference to stratospheric pricing like the Dave and the dCS.
I guess I would be more focused on the very well reviewed Chord Qutest comparing against DACs of similar price.
I read somewhere on the Naim forum where someone swapped across from an Audio Note 2 DAC to the Qutest which sound like an interesting change in direction. The AN DACs are known for their musical organic quality - so I guess the Chord has a little bit more of the same despite being at opposite end of the spectrum implementation wise compared to an AN.
The 2Go seems to have been an unmitigated disaster.Dont start me on 2GO and the Chord apps for IOS and Android.....
I agree on both points.I really like the look of my DAC64 (admittedly the switches at the back can be frustrating) and could probably find a better sounding DAC from one of the more current offerings, but enjoying how a thing looks and feels is part of the fun for me and I applaud Chord for doing something a bit different with their designs. It's not everyone's taste, but fair play to them.
I have a Bartok and a Mojo, even blind I guarantee I’ll pick the Bartok out every time - it is much bigger than the Mojo.There absolutely is. And John Franks with his snobbish remarks recently towards using the Raspberry Pi as a streamer, and Rob Watts' assertions that even the Mojo is superior to a Bartok, I don't think are doing Chord any favours at present. Pride comes before a fall and all that!
There absolutely is. And John Franks with his snobbish remarks recently towards using the Raspberry Pi as a streamer, and Rob Watts' assertions that even the Mojo is superior to a Bartok, I don't think are doing Chord any favours at present. Pride comes before a fall and all that!
I have a Bartok and a Mojo, even blind I guarantee I’ll pick the Bartok out every time - it is much bigger than the Mojo.
There’s no contest, the Mojo is fine for what it does, and yes I’ve had it in the big systems, the dCS is way more enjoyable spinning a tune.
I rate them highly. I liked the Hugo so much I bought the mark 2 as well when it came out. Very high SQ. heard the Dave at a dealer show and if I had the wonga, I wouldn’t hesitate.Is it me, or are the Chord range of DACs just getting incredible respect from audiophiles everywhere? I can't find a bad word said against their products - only excellent reviews from magazines, YouTube videos, forums, they are very well liked!
I've been interested in some of the DACs overseas like Lampizator or from Mojo Audio (used examples mind you - they are quite expensive).
Should I just stick with home grown Chord, like, well most other audiophile nowadays it seems
I know - audition audition audition - it's a tad hard to audition some of these DACs - so your experiences would be interesting.
I prefer it, whether it’s worth the dosh and by how much better it sounds I can’t say, you might not rate it at all. Of all the sub £1k DACs I’ve tried the RME is the best value and right up there sound quality wise and ahead on feature set.how does the mighty Bartok compare to the RME? I am quite tempted to get an RME to use for my office system, DAC + headphone amp in one - very neat.