[Skampmeister]

I don’t need Robs opinion on this, no offense I’ve heard it myself and others have also testified, they are different, as was the 2Qute and the Hugo.

IMO the Hugo is research for the Qute range

 

[andromeda1954]

I think initial question was in comparison of Qutest and Hugo2 used as DACs. I understand that integrated solution like Hugo could have it`s benefits (shorter signal path, good volume regulation implementation and so on) against separate amp+DAC system. But if we take Hugo2 and Qutest and use them as DACs for an external amp, would those two sound exactly the same?

I think your question was already answered. De Qutest sounds better.

 

[Skampmeister]

Plus it’s a way nicer piece of kit aesthetically also.

 

[Joe-Siow]

How does qutest sounds without the regen?

The Qutest sounds more open and slightly richer with the ISO Regen. Background is also blacker and quieter, allowing more details to surface as a result.

 

[Zachik]

Is this DAC something you would use with a headphone amplifier like "Violectric HPA V281". Or should i look for another DAC for the amp?

**Noob question? First post here **

Since no one else has, let me extended the customary:
Welcome to Head-Fi, and sorry for your wallet

 

[Deftone]

Like I’ve already said, I’ve had both on my system, and after the Qutest, you couldn’t give me a Hugo2.

Lol, you know if you were running both into your amp they’re almost identical ?

 

[Skampmeister]

No their not. But what’s the point in arguing

 

[dac64]

The Qutest sounds more open and slightly richer with the ISO Regen. Background is also blacker and quieter, allowing more details to surface as a result.

Thanks for the prompt reply!

Just happened that i had a USB Regen. Will try after i have received the qutest.

 

[agedbest]

The Qutest sounds more open and slightly richer with the ISO Regen. Background is also blacker and quieter, allowing more details to surface as a result.

Thanks for reply

that's another interesting information to must known...
so USB galvanic isolation is a chimera
what kind of USB regen are you connecting?

 

[dmance]

...
so USB galvanic isolation is a chimera...

I plan to continue to use my USB chain of MP-U1 battery, intona and 15 ferrites with Qutest. I don't think you can ever have enough protection from RFI/EMI.

 

[Joe-Siow]

Thanks for reply

that's another interesting information to must known...
so USB galvanic isolation is a chimera
what kind of USB regen are you connecting?

Am using the Uptone ISO Regen

https://uptoneaudio.com/products/iso-regen

 

[VintageFlanker]

so USB galvanic isolation is a chimera

It's not.

Trust me, I owned MANY DACs these lasts years and almost all of them took, more or less, audible noise from my computer via the USB input (worst case: Nuprime DAC-9). This noise was very audible in my MA Silver 10 tweeters, less with headphones.

The Qutest is DEAD SILENT pluged in USB on my system, and this is the first DAC I own to work that way.

 

[Skampmeister]

One thing I can confirm, even thought the 2qute was 3v and the highest setting on the Qutest is 3v, the Qutest is running higher voltage than the 2qute. I’ve been running the same system for years with the 2qute with zero overloading issues, but I have them very rarely on the Qutest now, had to switch it to 2v to solve the issue, and even at 2v, it’s practically the same volume the 2qute was when it was 3v.

 

[VintageFlanker]

One thing I can confirm, even thought the 2qute was 3v and the highest setting on the Qutest is 3v, the Qutest is running higher voltage than the 2qute. I’ve been running the same system for years with the 2qute with zero overloading issues, but I have them very rarely on the Qutest now, had to switch it to 2v to solve the issue, and even at 2v, it’s practically the same volume the 2qute was when it was 3v.

Interesting.

I was also wondering which voltage I should use. I'm OK with the 2V but found the 3V brought a little more life but maybe was seeming to be overloaded.

 

[Skampmeister]

@VintageFlanker yes, you are correct, a hotter signal can sound more exciting, but if you dig deeper into the sound, it’s bordering on overload. I heard this with my Mytek Brooklyn+ which is stupidly hot with its signal, you have to turn it down -6db to get it normal.