Chord QBD

[millerman]

Hi all

I have just read the What hifi review of the Chord QBD 76, and whilst I am completely satisfied with this piece of kit I was struck with the comment that it needs a good transport to get the best out of it.

I am currently using my Nad cdp as the transport but by definition this is an entry level machine. (and probably the weakest link in my kit)

The question is am I likely to see a noticable difference if I upgrade the transport and if so which transport would you recommend.

many thanks

 

[idc]

I am also struck by the comment that it needs a good transport. Chord in the specs for the QBD 76 go to great length to reduce jitter to virtually nothing, so all your transport is doing is sending a digital signal to the DAC. Benchmark claim that as they have also reduced jitter to 'zero' it does not matter what you use as a transport. So long your transport is able to read a CD and send the data error free, it should not make a difference.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi millerman,

I don't want to trip on the land-mine that is 'transports do/ transports don't' make a difference debate, so I'll tread very carefully!

I use my CD8X with optical out, and a mac mini as transports (not including iphone by bluetooth that is) and there's very little in it. I tend to do a lot of listening through Spotify from the mac which produces excellent results.

However the best I've heard, and not by much is itunes lossless from the mac.

You'll hear no doubt about how good (and how expensive) Chord's own Blu transport is, however I have not had the pleasure of hearing it in combination with the QBD76 in my system.

 

[MUSICRAFT]

millerman:

Hi all

I have just read the What hifi review of the Chord QBD 76, and whilst I am completely satisfied with this piece of kit I was struck with the comment that it needs a good transport to get the best out of it.

I am currently using my Nad cdp as the transport but by definition this is an entry level machine. (and probably the weakest link in my kit)

The question is am I likely to see a noticable difference if I upgrade the transport and if so which transport would you recommend.

many thanks

Hi millerman

The NAD C542 is excellent however if you want to begin to get the best out of the QBD76 than the first step would be using the Chord Electronics ONE cdp as a transport (it gives aound 2/3 of the performance of the Blu). For the ultimate performance from the QBD76 than using the Blu transport is a must although be prepared to have your cheque book ready!

Absolutely jaw dropping performance.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

 

[shooter]

May be the What Hi-Fi team can elaborate on the "needs good transport" quote.

 

[millerman]

Thanks so much for the replies so far. They have brought out the arguments going off in my head and typified my confusion in that;

The QBD states its prowess at timing and yet by changing the source the difference will be stunning.

I have a lot of trust in my local hifi shop (zouch audio) their advice so far has been impeccable. When I compared a range of £3000 cd players I finally decided that the Ayon CD 2 was by far the best. I then compared it to the QBD with my Nad as transport.

The comparison was through the shops high end kit worth bazillions. The Ayon was slightly better. The shop suggested this would be the case (prior to the test) because of the transport I was using. The difference, I have to say was very little. But this comment about the transport has lingered, hence this post.

So, accepting that that a better transport will make a difference let me ask the impossible question.

What will I hear differently? or how will the sound I get be improved. and can you have a source that is too good for the rest of the kit.

regards

 

[Craig M.]

maybe you should try a mac/pc? i recently tried the cyrus cdxtse+ into my qbd, i'm sure you've noticed it's meant to be a pretty hot transport, and the only difference i noticed was that the mac mini seemed more detailed and the cyrus was a touch smoother. i wouldn't say there was any other real difference, sound staging, instrument separation etc seemed about the same. longer listening might have thrown up more differences, but i didn't bother as they were too close to care.

 

[batonwielder]

Millerman,

I've read your previous threads as well as this one, and it seems you are just not digging the sound of your system. If I remember correctly, I think you said that there was a major disappointment right after purchase. Is this still the case?

Upgrading your transport will not be a major improvement as far as I can see.

 

[Anonymous]

batonwielder:
Millerman,

I've read your previous threads as well as this one, and it seems you are just not digging the sound of your system. If I remember correctly, I think you said that there was a major disappointment right after purchase. Is this still the case?

Upgrading your transport will not be a major improvement as far as I can see.

Sorry to be contrary, but I think it could be very disappointing! I doubt the difference will be good vfm, you've already taken the biggest leap forward with the QBD76.

+1 Craig's note above.

 

[millerman]

You are right I did mention that I was disappointed with my new system, however since Christmas the system has been running in and the sound is terrific and getting better and better. I just love it. (never realised how much difference there would be by running it in)

But, when I auditioned the CDPs I wanted to hear them through a high end system to determine what they were capable of. The difference between the high end system and mine is massive. However, like I say my system sounds terrific, just not like the one I heard.

So, over time I will get to the system I heard in the shop hence my searching for the next upgrade. In the mean time I continue to explore all kinds of music that I have not enjoyed before because my kit allows me that privilege. Interestingly I also believe my kit is not pusuading me to be selective over what music I buy because it reveals the poor recordings. So no matter how good my kit is if the recordng is poor, and plenty are, the sound is also poor.

It goes back to the thread on the law of diminishing returns. Yes I will pay a lot more for my next upgrade and yes the difference will be getting less. But it is what I want to spend my money on.

However, I realise you can get silly with this kind of pursuit so my question was really about will there be a noticable difference or not.

 

[Frank Harvey]

millerman: When I compared a range of £3000 cd players I finally decided that the Ayon CD 2 was by far the best. I then compared it to the QBD with my Nad as transport.

The comparison was through the shops high end kit worth bazillions. The Ayon was slightly better. The shop suggested this would be the case (prior to the test) because of the transport I was using. The difference, I have to say was very little. But this comment about the transport has lingered, hence this post.

If mega high end kit was needed to hear the 'slight' difference between your NAD/Chord and the Ayon, then through your system, I'm sure you'll not hear that difference.

Any comparisons should always be done through your system, or at least a similarly priced system, unless you reall want to hear what both sources are fully capable of.

 

[millerman]

David

Granted, I have always intended to acquire a high end kit to hear sounds like live music, so when I was auditioning I wanted to hear their ultimate capability. I narrowed it down to the QBD (auditioned using my Nad transport) and the Ayon. I went for the QBD based on good advice from here that suggested the blue tooth function will off a wider variety of uses. At his point I have gone from entry level to mid range ( at least that is what I think it is) however, I am so impressed with what I have I am questioning whether I need to go any further.

The kit I heard in the shop is silly money but should I choose to go that way I didn't want the purchase of a CDP to be a limited.

Whilst I am fortunate enough to be able to afford this hobby (at least for the time being) there is little point in spending money if the value is so small it will not enhance the music. The points of this thread was to determine if the difference is noticeable with a better transport.

One reply suggested there is a difference others are questioning the VFM. another suggestion has offered me different opitons around a mac. All good stuff, ultimalty there is only one way to find out and that is to audition it myself, which I will do over time. I just wanted a steer first.

regards

 

[batonwielder]

millerman:
But, when I auditioned the CDPs I wanted to hear them through a high end system to determine what they were capable of. The difference between the high end system and mine is massive. However, like I say my system sounds terrific, just not like the one I heard.

In my book, your system is high end... (life's a perspective I guess)