Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

I went from one Fraim shelf apart to two apart, nothing substantial I guess. I try to keep the power supply cables away from signal or speaker cables, but there is only so much you can do when stacked on Fraim. Interesting about burn in, I never really noticed anything changing over time.
At some point I want to get an SRC.DX to go between my Laptop and TT2 for my PGGB files. At that point I will experiment with my BNC cables, I have not used the stock ones since getting the Wave Storm cables.
image
I have now moved my Naim Core off the Fraim, over to my TV rack, on the other side of my 2960 switch.

I keep reading about these Wave Storm digital cables (eye watering price) has anyone tried the Wave Stream cables?

I went straight for the Storm cables, mine were ex demo at a substantial discount. If you look at Superlumina interconnects or speaker cables, they are a bargain.:grin:

1 Like

Yes… I evaluated both when running a TT2… there wasn’t much in it… but there was a smidgen… and in the end I felt if I went for the cheaper option I’d regret it… good psychological sales tactic…

In the end it was all moot however, as when I upgraded to a new DAVE and got a newly built HMS I preferred the stock leads… I don’t know if they have been redesigned or what… I noted they didn’t wobble in the connectors like the old plugs did.

1 Like

I remember reading that you are now running the HMS stock cables, my stock cables wobble and my Mscaler is around 6-9 months old I guess yours is of similar vintage.

Mine is possibly a little newer, but sounds roughly the same… It was manufactured late January and arrived from Chord at my dealers first week Feb … after quite a wait for parts because of Covid etc.

I may ping an email to Chord and ask if the stock cables have been improved.

Thanks for your feed back on the Wave cables.

Good luck, do share what they say… of course they might not be wobbling because they are new etc… but either way they support a gorgeous sounding system now.

BTW on the Wave cables, the maker allows you to home demo both … certainly very helpful… at least he was to me.

1 Like

I would upgrade from the Qutest to the TT2 before even considering the Wave cables.

3 Likes

Point taken, I haven’t ruled out the TT2 just yet… looking at other tweaks or improvements to maximise the current kit.

Interestingly I have a Qutest and have this morning did a crazy experiment for a friend when he popped over to visit . . . . I used a Sean Jacobs DC4 power supply with the Qutest. It was stunning and emphasised just how good the Qutest is. I used to have a TT2 and it never sounded that good. Clearly it is not something a sane person would do when creating a system but it was fun on a damp Sunday morning. @HiFiman maybe there is a power supply route you could consider? The sound from my Qutest this morning was really very special.

2 Likes

Thanks for the feedback regarding your PSU findings. I’m using an MCRU for the Qutest made a nice lift in performance, highly recommended :ok_hand:

1 Like

The TT 2 also benefits from a power supply quite nicely. I’m using an MCRU on mine to good effect

1 Like

Agreed, the MCRU does give a nice uplift with the Qutest. I trialed it with four other power supplies when I was deciding which one to get.

What I heard this morning with the DC4 was a completely different order of magnitude of uplift to the Qutest SQ. So I wondered if say a SJ DC3 would be a viable alternative second hand?

1 Like

But did you try a DC4 on the TT2?

I’m using the JS2 on the TT2 and it does sound really good. Depth of soundstage, texture and layering improved. I took it out and used the smps and it just didn’t sound as good… lost a bit of its mojo.

1 Like

I recently added a DC3 to my TT2 and it sounds wonderful. Really adds weight but also control to the sound. It has been pimped with a dc4 regulator which may add more to it.

3 Likes

No, I had sold the TT2 by the time I got the DC4.

Hi HiFiman,

I’ve updated my notes above with:

<Update: 08/07/21>
Over the last couple of weeks I have listened to a WIIIIDE range of music. Overall I would give the edge to the Qutest/MScaler (QM).
There is a LOT of music that has less than stellar recording quality, a lot of which I love. The QM handles this better.

M

2 Likes

The TT2/MScaler is VERY nice.

4 Likes