Chord Qutest

It changes by sampling rate

Oops:

you change the 4 filters manually.
sampling rate colors change automatically

Dave,
1) Qutest runs on wall wart
.    No power cables
2) It appears there is minor breakin...
    It still sounds very forward and extremely detailed, but

When running Tidal as only app , the Qutest is running native 44/16
It is very forward and incisively detailed, very good bass & superb soundstage
It makes the really well recorded stuff sound superlative
It makes the 80's rock that is compressed sound "ouch incisively bright" and forward
The orange or red filter takes a bit of transient edge off and still sounds natural
It makes the great recordings much better, but the poor recording much worse.

I have had a recent revelation, as I purchased Roon and all its up sampling , filters and DSP

When running DSD128 up sampling & Smooth-linear filter the Qutest is very, very smooth and more rounded like SACD with all the details
The difference between up sampled Pcm & DSD is super apparent
Pcm is way more incisive and detail oriented
where the DSD is smoother, detailed and not as forward and all the crappy stuff sounds really good

Sorry for the confusing description, but it appears to be a tale of 2 sound profiles when using up sampling 

Anyway, I've listened to 4 Dac's in my system

Playback Designs Merlot DSD ( my top choice) Really nice bass & as close to analog as I've heard
Chord Qutest ( when running DSD,close to merlot)
Exogal Comet ( 2nd choice)
Meridian Explorer2.  Warm and nice ,but short on details

If You are running a highly resolving speaker the Qutest might be to much , when running PCM.

I have a definite taste bias towards DSD .
I'm keeping it running DSD , but if I could run only pcm, I'd send it back

So, Take my opinion with grain of salt 

Jeff

Low:

Yes, Roon is surprisingly good vs the others.

what system and dac are you running?

cables & power stuff are important.

I changed the chord wall wart from my cheap power strip to VH audio's Furutech Hot Box and sound did change signals clay for the better.

IC Cables are next on my list

along with a turntable. 

Jeff

Low,

I've run Amarra and JRiver as source.
Both are not nearly as good as Roon in sound quality.
I'm suprised at difference especially when using a parametic equalizer and Upsampling
The Roon is so much more delicate and refined in its sound.

I've used all the chord filters and they do change the sound with out interfering in the sound........making it muddy and thick

The incisive neutral really defines the transients...........
I use the red filter.

I do not think there is much break-in
It sounds the same, new or old

Anyway, I'm keeping the DAC & using ROON at dsd128.
This setting makes all the poor recording pretty gosh darn good
AND good stuff really good
Oh, I' m using a Mac Mini as source

pcm is really incisive and sharp. 
I bet the pcm would impart a dull/warm system lots of details and make it sound great
a resolving system would be over top...sharp

I'm happy running Dsd128 with the Qutest and keeping the dac.

FYI, The Playback Designs Merlot was the best DAC I've listened to, but $6500

I'm quickly becoming a fan of DSD playback and its associated big bass, smoother & detailed highs

vs PCM and all it incisive edge portrayal
The better the dac the sharper the edges, therefore poor stuff sounds like scraping glass to me.

Anyway, My thoughts

jeff

go Brewers