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In Reply to: RE: New DAC Suggestions posted by Gerry E. on May 13, 2021 at 14:56:45
which is $1695. I love how the Qutest sounds, especially with (modified) Allo Shanti LPS, but I must say the build amount/quality is massively more impressive on the X26 Pro.
I've been slowly researching for a DAC for a second system that can compete with Qutest on SQ, so the Gustard is on the radar, but some red flags bother me. Even the Sound News review mentions:
"X26 PRO added some class-A warmth, a heavier and more impactful bass at the cost of being less grippy sounding to the Element X."
My preference is for a very clear, neutral sound with tons of microdynamics/detail, but we will see...
Follow Ups:
I think the X26 might be a tiny bit warmer than the Element X, according to the review, but that's relative and probably doesn't put it in the warm / thick sounding category. It is still very much a delta-sigma DAC, and is bound to be more detailed / precise / "cold" than the R2R competition...
Well, we have come full circle because it was your post on 3/20 that first made me aware of the X26 Pro. You even provided the link to the review by Sandu which was posted that very same day.
As for the "added class-A warmth" that you quoted from the review, that is something I prefer, especially coming from Marantz Reference Series CD/SACD players for the last 14 years. They are known to be on the warm side and I was worried that I would swing too far the other way with a ESS9038 based DAC. According to Sandu, that's not the case.
Sandu also addressed the Qutest vs X26 Pro in the comments section when someone asked him which of those two DACs he should buy:
"I had at my place a Chord TT2 with the MScaller for around 3 weeks, my Element X was on the same level while costing considerably less. Bottom line is that X26 PRO would destroy the Qutest in every possible scenario."
Of course that's his opinion based on his tastes.
Gerry
RE: "I had at my place a Chord TT2 with the MScaller for around 3 weeks, my Element X was on the same level while costing considerably less.
"Bottom line is that X26 PRO would destroy the Qutest in every possible scenario."
"Of course that's his opinion based on his tastes."
Actually, he's ABSOLUTELY RIGHT: The X-26PRO would destroy the the Qutest (in every possible scenario) since the Gustard 'X-22' is better in every single way. The 'Qutest' doesn't even come close. Period.
pj
and hope these comments about warmth and stuff is overstated.
It so happens the Gustard is the same price as new WE300B tubes I've been thinking about, so some restraint is in order.IME, Chord TT2 with MScaler is warmer than neutral as well, but with more resolution than Qutest. Allo Shanti LPS with modified shorter and doubled DC cable adds enough resolution, density, and weight to Qutest that my upgrade from Qutest/Shanti will not be to TT2.
It also bothers me how all of Chord gear seems so high priced for the amount of "stuff" you get. I'm sure Rob Watts would disagree... :)
Edits: 05/15/21 05/15/21
"It so happens the Gustard is the same price as new WE300B tubes I've been thinking about, so some restraint is in order."Restraint? That didn't stop me, I bought both. OTOH, I sold my TA-300Bs and Marantz SACD player so my costs were covered. BTW, since you prefer a specific kind of sound and wonder if the X26 Pro can provide it - don't forget you have options with the Gustard.
There are 3 PCM filter options, 4 DSD filter options and NOS On/Off. Past experience tells me that some of these options are subtle but I can't imagine that you couldn't fine tune it to get the sound you want. Unless the DAC isn't nearly as good as Sandu says it is.
"It also bothers me how all of Chord gear seems so high priced for the amount of "stuff" you get."
Yes, I also feel like the Chord DACs are too expensive but then again I feel that 90%(?) of audio equipment is. Especially once you go past the $2 - $4k range. Diminishing returns and all that rot.
Gerry
Edits: 05/17/21
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