Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

Indeed there is a considerable viewpoint that the TT2 and mscalar is better than DAVE standalone, but again not universal.
In discussing with my dealer it’s a common conclusion… and certainly one I agree too after severeal months home demo… no one could have accused me of rushing to a conclusion :joy:
Actually I preferred TT2 mscalar to DAVE mscalar … but that view is more in the balance.

It is a frequent discussion about whether the MScaler enables a lesser Chord Dac to compete with one higher up the chain. In the case of the Qutest I do think the MScaler takes it well above its pay grade especially if the Qutest is given a good LPS. With the TT2 however I do not think the MScaler brings it near to a solo Dave. For me the TT2 is lacking in transparency and bass detail compared to the Dave and in my opinion the MScaler cannot make up for that.

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Interesting… I find the bass detail with TT2 mscalar really moved on from the DAVE standalone … … and I have both here… especially with Chord amps and planar headphones … DAVE leads by digging out extreme detail… but to my ears it is just tooooo clinical with a slightly anaemic upper mid which affects voices for me… and only feels comfortable and natural to me on certain live recordings where it excels. I find the mscalar on DAVE subtly improves things, but I still find it tends to slip into being too forward and intense in detail.

The TT2 mscalar does lead on the natural transparency without much exaggeration so matches a larger gamut of productions with an attractive musical vibe … but yes with some systems the added crisp sharpness of DAVE can be just what is required, but not for my tastes… Chord gives you the choice…
But yes the noise shaper in DAVE is more advanced than TT2, but the TT2 analogue stages are apparently superior… perhaps DAVE2 will have the advanced noise shaper of DAVE, with the advanced analogue stages of TT2… we will see. With DAVE still selling really well… despite its age, I guess Chord will sit back until sales start to dip.

I owned TT2 for about 9 months and used it side by side with Dave over that period with both of them compared solo and with the MScaler. I came to the conclusion that TT2 sounded muddled / soft in the bass in comparison to Dave which has a lovely tight and even perhaps deeper bass. The top end of the Dave has a softness and refinement in my system that can’t be matched by the TT2. Of course everything is in the eye of the beholder but several of the guys on Head-Fi have been selling their TT2/MScaler combos and buying solo Dave instead. :smiley:

Edit. I have just remembered that of course I do not run a standard Dave and mine has been modified to take out the factory SMPS and use an external LPS. That might account for much of what I hear.

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Ok I am at nearly 6 months on my second innings… not 9 months, but other that I have been running with both too… and came to the opposite conclusion… in fact I will probably kiss the DAVE good bye this weekend and send back to the dealer … as you say beauty is in the eye, or should that be ear, of the beholder. :grinning:
Were you running planar phones and balanced preamp audio outputs ? I have found balanced superior to unbalanced with bass definition and speed… possibly helped by using balanced poweramps.

Either way they are both great devices, just with a choice of presentation. Both are incredibly detailed and transparent … especially with mscalar … really allowing you to listen into the production … I know it’s a cliche but I am really enjoying discovering my recordings again… and previous so so or difficult recordings have often opened out to be really musical and enjoyable.

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So, is it looking like the TT2, MScaler and Etude is finding a permanent home?

I do love this setup with my Empy… the Etude just brings the speaker system closer to it… a lot closer really.

Nearly… dealer getting an Ultima 6 in for me to home demo… so I choose between Etude and Ultima 6… I suspect it will be the Etude though… certainly very impressed… it just gets a little warm with my ATCs… and I like my electronics cool :grinning:

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That will be an interesting comparison. Logic would say the Ultima 6 will top the Etude but not sure in which way, I haven’t seen many comparisons… might be the same signature but with more power. Look forward to hearing your thoughts. Not that I have space for it… and, I’m very happy with the Etude! But hell, if you have the space, why not!

Edit… I was a little concerned about temperature at one point. I just popped a small temp gauge on it for a while, it sort of settled at 30c. When I spoke to Chord they said it wasn’t a problem and they’d had one in far more challenging situations. Now I don’t bother checking anymore!

Simon, I don’t own any phones. Speakers only for me. Innuos Statement into MScaler + Dave direct into Pass Labs XA60.8 monos driving Spendor SP200 speakers (or direct into ATC 150 actives in the other room).

I do think (know) that my modified Dave is a completely different animal to the normal one but much of my comparing was with a normal Dave before I modified it.

The main thing is that we are both happy, albeit for different reasons. The world would be a boring place etc etc . .

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I’ll be very interested to see if it is the Etude. The Ultima 6 is brilliant

I thought about getting a pair of high end headphones, but I am not sure I would get much use out of them. I find listening through speakers much more to my liking at home. At work however, I just bought a pair of AirPod Pro’s, and I probably have them playing 4-5 hours a day. These little gems are really great, and suit my needs perfectly.
How much music can one listen to in a day, without getting a little tired of it? I usually listen at home for a few hours a day too, and using speakers allows me to do other things around the house, without being tied to a chair.

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I never have enough time to listen to music, so no chance of getting bored with it - but then I can’t listen at work, nor commuting.

If you have music on at work, are you actually listening, or is it just background?

Just background really, but I have discovered a lot of new music/artists this way. I usually play Radio Paradise…mostly Eclectic/World mix, and when I hear something I really like, I jot it down and look for it later.

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The Dave and Mscaler have different features… On balance the Mscaler is more important musically for me. About trading Mscaler/TT2 for a Dave…

Obviously owning both Mscaler and Dave is the best, but knowing what I know now about the Mscaler, I would not trade that in for a Dave.

I would save up for the Dave and keep the Mscaler and sell only the TT2.

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Looks posh

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As I replied to Simon, it is really about the individual listener, what they seek from the sound and where are their priorities. For instance whilst I am lucky to have both Dave and the Mscaler I think that there is a sound quality argument for spending money modifying the Dave power supply rather than buying the mscaler. The modified Sean Jacobs power supply for the Dave costs more than the mscaler but it has a really profound effect on the quality of the sound.

My preference for a musical quality to the sound whilst not forfeiting transparency has likewise steered me away from Chord amps and instead in the direction of Pass Labs. But again it would be a boring world if we all just bought and liked exactly the same hifi.

As an aside, I was introduced last night to the album ‘Opium Moon’ by Opium Moon. Mrs Fourlegs heard it playing from the room next door and came through to listen to the whole album. I like it VERY much and hope you guys do as well.

I totally can’t listen to music at work when sitting at my desk and not in discussion with somebody … I need silence almost or I can’t concentrate… I guess it depends what sort of work you do.
Travelling/commuting I definitely can… it’s reflection time when you let your subconscious free… music can be ideal for that and really help those cognitive processes.

I guess it depends on the sort of person you are…

Indeed

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But audition very very carefully in your home systems and high end headphones. as I and others have done. You might just love DAVE., or you might find you start avoiding certain recordings with it… it really must depend on your personal tastes and sensitivities… but it is definitely NOT a dead cert you will fall in love with it… you could end up being frustrated big time as you try and learn to live with it … tread carefully.

There is much on the web about the marmite/polarising effect of DAVE as well, so I don’t think it’s a peculiarity with a select few :grinning:

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