Qutest with the MCRU power supply

[Hondoe1950]

I just installed the MCRU power supply on my system for the Qutest DAC. I had read a lot of different opinions about whether it made much difference or not. I’m sure it’s partially system specific. But on my system: Cambridge Audio Edge A amp, WiiM Ultra streamer, Rel sub, and Revel M126Be speakers, it made a really really obvious and powerful difference. After reading all the mixed reviews, I wasn’t expecting much and the change was not subtle at all. So if any of you are considering this combination, I heartily recommend it.

 

[Hondoe1950]

By the way, switching the Qutest from one volt to 2 Volt output on another day also made a giant difference.

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

I have the feeling someone will be along shortly to ask whether you've blind tested these combinations.

 

[Al ears]

By the way, switching the Qutest from one volt to 2 Volt output on another day also made a giant difference.

It'll certainly be louder....

 

[twinkletoes]

By the way, switching the Qutest from one volt to 2 Volt output on another day also made a giant difference.

This Is a feature I love especially if you have very sensitive speakers and/or an amp with an energetic gain

But in regards to sound voltage change doesn’t make a jot of difference its just louder

 

[twinkletoes]

I just installed the MCRU power supply on my system for the Qutest DAC. I had read a lot of different opinions about whether it made much difference or not. I’m sure it’s partially system specific. But on my system: Cambridge Audio Edge A amp, WiiM Ultra streamer, Rel sub, and Revel M126Be speakers, it made a really really obvious and powerful difference. After reading all the mixed reviews, I wasn’t expecting much and the change was not subtle at all. So if any of you are considering this combination, I heartily recommend it.

I know some run it of a battery pack and say it makes a difference, though haven't tried myself

 

[Gray]

I have the feeling someone will be along shortly to ask whether you've blind tested these combinations.

He said the change wasn't subtle, so he's guaranteed to be able to identify, blindly, how it's being powered 🤔

 

[ToppingSMSL]

Can I ask you to switch back to the standard power supply and listen again? Also get someone to do a blind test with you. This subjective comparison nonsense is beyond a joke nowadays.

 

[Revolutions]

It's sensible to think a better, isolate power transformer could make a difference in theory.

To me it makes sense to spend £200 on a £1,300 DAC to try & get the best from it. Assuming you didn't also 'upgrade' & add another £200 for kettle lead. That's where I'd draw a line. I hope the op enjoys it, regardless. That's the game.

My skepticism might also just be fear that I'm missing out on awesomeness by not spending £3k on kettle leads, xlrs, an ethernet filter & cat8 cables...

 

[ToppingSMSL]

It's sensible to think a better, isolate power transformer could make a difference in theory.

To me it makes sense to spend £200 on a £1,300 DAC to try & get the best from it. Assuming you didn't also 'upgrade' & add another £200 for kettle lead. That's where I'd draw a line. I hope the op enjoys it, regardless. That's the game.

My skepticism might also just be fear that I'm missing out on awesomeness by not spending £3k on kettle leads, xlrs, an ethernet filter & cat8 cables...

It's not sensible to assume anything. In the case of power supplies you can measure distortion at the DAC outputs and find theres no difference so why would it sound different? Rob Watts says theres no need for aftermarket power supplies.

 

[nopiano]

I seem to recall that an early test in Hifi News also tried a different power supply. I’m less persuaded that it changes the sound coming from the DAC than the possibility that it injects less crap/noise into adjacent components.

That is quite possibly where the improvements lie, which is also why somebody else won’t benefit! Hence, it’s very system specific, rather than an automatic improvement to the Chord.

 

[rainsoothe]

Can I ask you to switch back to the standard power supply and listen again? Also get someone to do a blind test with you. This subjective comparison nonsense is beyond a joke nowadays.

I'd argue "listening" to measurement graphs on ASR is the real joke.

 

[Gray]

It's sensible to think a better, isolate power transformer could make a difference in theory.

And with the amount of people benefitting from 'upgrading' power supplies - who are we to doubt.....

I powered a DAC with a switched mode, then a linear power supply and then a battery.
I wouldn't mind betting that (sighted) subjectivists would have heard differences.
I heard none whatsoever.
(DAC and system were up to showing any differences - and, being a detail freak, I never miss subtle differences in familiar tracks).

Maybe the OP really could reliably, blindly identify his DACs power source.....maybe some of you would be willing to bet he could.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

I'd argue "listening" to measurement graphs on ASR is the real joke.

Nobody does that though. They show how the electrical signal measures. And that can tell you quite a lot. One thing it can tell you is if you are unlikely to hear any difference. And that's important as we are all subject to expectation bias and placebo effects.

 

[ToppingSMSL]

And with the amount of people benefitting from 'upgrading' power supplies - who are we to doubt.....

I powered a DAC with a switched mode, then a linear power supply and then a battery.
I wouldn't mind betting that (sighted) subjectivists would have heard differences.
I heard none whatsoever.
(DAC and system were up to showing any differences - and, being a detail freak, I never miss subtle differences in familiar tracks).

Maybe the OP really could reliably, blindly identify his DACs power source.....maybe some of you would be willing to bet he could.

Maybe. He doesnt seem to have tried, though.

 

[Dave_]

To me it makes sense to spend £200 on a £1,300 DAC to try & get the best from it.

I'd expect a £1300 piece of audio equipment to perform at its best without the need of a overpriced audiophile power supply personally

 

[Revolutions]

I'd expect a £1300 piece of audio equipment to perform at its best without the need of a overpriced audiophile power supply personally

Not a Naim fan then? 😁

 

[rainsoothe]

Nobody does that though. They show how the electrical signal measures. And that can tell you quite a lot. One thing it can tell you is if you are unlikely to hear any difference. And that's important as we are all subject to expectation bias and placebo effects.

ya, they do. They dismiss gear based on measurements and graphs. They're into the "you don't need to audition product X, look at how it sounds" church. Ignoring the fact that real world usage rarely, if at all, mirrors Amir's (or anyone's, for that matter) measurement setup. People don't spend their music listening time 1 m away from speakers in anechoic chambers. And all this is not taking into account pure subjectivity - I hate Yamaha AS-500 amp + MA Bronze 2 speaker, my friend loves the combo.

On the measurements being the same, sure - but if the Placebo effect works, hey - it works. It can have psychosomatic effects

 

[twinkletoes]

And with the amount of people benefitting from 'upgrading' power supplies - who are we to doubt.....

I powered a DAC with a switched mode, then a linear power supply and then a battery.
I wouldn't mind betting that (sighted) subjectivists would have heard differences.
I heard none whatsoever.
(DAC and system were up to showing any differences - and, being a detail freak, I never miss subtle differences in familiar tracks).

Maybe the OP really could reliably, blindly identify his DACs power source.....maybe some of you would be willing to bet he could.

Believe Rob watts the designer said upgraded powers supplies used on the chord qutest make no difference and he was adamant about it. In the headfi forum.

And this is coming from a company that will happily sell you a 20k pre amp.

The little 5v wart is horribly cheap looking but it been in my system nearing 8 years and it hasn’t been a problem and I leave it on 24/7