Maybe the V1 needs [better] isolation on its USB input? I certainly found my Mac Mini, running Audirvana fully optimised with dedicated USB bus, via Gustard U12 isolator-converter then SPDIF into Hugo1 Better sounding than ND5XS into Hugo1. And In a brief comparison same Mac Mini direct into Chord Dave was indistinguishable from a Melco N1.
Sure, but you also arenāt going straight into a V1 with a mini. Not sure how what you list above is related (different dacs, spdif convertors, etc etc). IME Iāve found the better the streamer into the V1, the better it gets, but of course like all things in audio, YMMV.
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I have never had the chance to test a Qutest.
But I have a headless Apple MacMINI dedicated as a transport (using Audirvana+) only to the Naim DAC V1. The USB cable is Audioquest Carbon. And Iām very pleased with this duo. The biggest difference in the SQ, to me at least, is coming from the sound engineerās mastering work. Even a CD quality FLAC can bring me a real musical pleasure and in the same time a poor mastered DSD file can disappoint me.
So I canāt discussed my personal experience with the difference between the two DACs but just before reading this thread I red āSpotify! It aināt so badā one. And there you can find that a lot of members with more than entry level Naim systems are quite satisfied with Spotifyās 320 kps. So if you are content with such a source quality maybe there is no big issue Qutest or V1. But if you are more critical the best option will be a home demonstration if thatās possible. And you could decide based on you personal experience.
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Great impressions and advice.
Although I donāt use Spotify (cannot stand it as a corp., but thatās a separate issue), 320kps sounds really quite awesome on any number of pre-programmed Internet Radio stations I switch between.
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