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User Manual for Qutest models including: Digital To Analogue Converter, Digital Converter, To Analogue Converter, Analogue Converter, Converter
Qutest DAC by Chord Electronics - JaguarAudio
Welcome to Qutest, an advanced ultra-compact FPGA digital-to-analogue converter proudly developed and manufactured by Chord Electronics in Kent,
File Info : application/pdf, 2 Pages, 3.53MB
DocumentDocument04 General operation Drivers Qutest is compatible with a wide variety of devices, including Mac OS X, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android systems. Drivers are required for Windowsbased operating systems and these can be located on the product page on the Chord Electronics website: chordelectronics.co.uk Start-up sequence Upon connection to power, Qutest will perform a start-up sequence evident by the internal sample rate indicator cycling through a series of rainbow colours. This will take approximately 16 seconds. During this time, Qutest may not be discoverable, or output any audio. As mentioned, Qutest automatically remembers last-used settings including Filter, Input, and Line Level selection. NOTE: When the correct input is selected on Qutest and the device successfully detects an incoming signal the sample rate indicator will illuminate (located within the viewing porthole). Galvanic isolation Galvanic isolation involves isolating the power rails of the data USB input, allowing for greater sonic performance. Qutest features a Class 2 Type-B USB input with this protection. No special attention or cables are required to allow Qutest to function. NO SOUND? Make sure that you have correctly selected Qutest as the digital audio output on your machine. When plugging Qutest into your computer, Qutest may not immediately or automatically be selected. For more help please visit: chordelectronics.co.uk/get-support 05 Care instructions WARRANTY REGISTRATION: To activate the three-year parts and labour warranty, you must register the Qutest online at: chordelectronics.co.uk/register-product 3 YRS WARRANTY 3 year limited warranty on hardware Please only use a dry cloth to clean Qutest Never directly spray liquids, including cleaners, onto Qutest Do not allow Qutest to come into contact with liquid Never poke objects into the exposed connectors apart from the designated connectors Never drop or expose Qutest to mechanical shock No user serviceable parts, do not disassemble Qutest. Doing so will void your warranty. Please contact your original dealer in the event of a fault 5°C 40°C 41°F 104°F Only operate within the specified temperatures 06 Important information Qutest must be connected to a device capable of attenuating its output before being used. Connecting Qutest directly to a power amplifier can cause irreparable damage to your equipment and your hearing. If you require any help or advice, we first recommend contacting your original dealer. They will have the best understanding of your system and will be able to offer you bespoke advice. If you require further assistance please visit the support page of the Chord Electronics website: chordelectronics.co.uk/ get-support PLACEMENT Keep Qutest off of carpet and soft surfaces Always keep away from sources of heat and direct sunlight Always allow the unit to be well ventilated Keep away from liquids and damp areas. Immediately unplug if contact occurs THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE QUTEST. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE. DOING SO WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY, COULD DAMAGE YOUR UNIT, AND COULD RESULT IN ELECTROCUTION. 07 Specifications Tap length Elements Frequency response Dynamic range THD Channel separation Noise floor modulation Dimensions Weight WTA1 16FS filter 49,152 taps 10 Element Pulse Array Design 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB 124dB A-Weighted 0.0001% 1kHz 2.5v RMS 300 138dB at 1kHz 300 None measurable 41mm (H) x 160mm (W) x 72mm (D 770g MADE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM @chordaudio @chordelectronics chordelectronics chordelectronics.co.uk User Manual | English Qutest Digital To Analogue Converter 01 Getting to know Qutest Welcome to Qutest, an advanced ultra-compact FPGA digital-to-analogue converter proudly developed and manufactured by Chord Electronics in Kent, England. Please take a few moments to familiarise yourself with its operation. Rear 1 2 3 4 5 1 USB Type-B input: 32-bit 768kHz PCM/up to DSD 512 2 2x BNC coaxial input - 24-bit/384kHz/Dual-data mode capable to 768kHz 3 Optical input: 24-bit/192kHz DSD 64 4 RCA analogue outputs (Left and Right) 5 Micro USB power supply input - 5V 1-amp minimum Front 6 7 8 6 Filter selection switch - 4x filters available 7 Viewing glass porthole and sample rate indicator 8 Input selector switch Power connection Qutest is supplied with an external power supply and has been designed to be permanently connected to a power source. A 5V 2.1-amp Micro USB cable and power supply is supplied. Note: Qutest cannot be powered via the USB Type-B input. 02 Selectable options and variable line level Qutest has two selector spheres on the front of the unit, FILTER and INPUT. Each button also has an additional function - variable line-level output mode and variable display brightness. Please refer to the sections below to learn more. Filters cycling through the four filter options, it is possible to subtly change the device's tonal characteristics. Qutest achieves this not by strictly applying an equalisation curve, but by changing the way in which the FPGA handles the data. Incisive neutral Designed for all who wish to hear the full spectrum of audio no matter what sample rate, this option has an ultra linear frequency response. For the technically minded this includes a 16FS to 256FS WTA2 filter. Incisive neutral HF roll-off Designed for purists in mind, who playback high sample rate PCM recordings, this option has an ultra linear frequency response with a high frequency filter past 20kHz to remove HF distortion and noise from these recordings. This includes a 16FS to 256FS WTA2 filter with the HF filter enabled. Warm Warm HF roll-off Designed to introduce a little warmth to recordings, this filter will satisfy. This is a 16FS WTA1 filter only. Designed to add warmth to recordings, this filter will satisfy and is ideal for high resolution PCM playback. This is a 16FS filter but with a high-frequency roll-off. Inputs With four selectable digital input options, Qutest is a standalone DAC that acts as a digital hub to allow audio components to be instantly upgraded. Many hi-fi and audio components can benefit, including CD transports and players, streamers, computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones, plus most audio devices with a suitable digital output. HD Type-B USB Up to 768kHz and DSD 512 native playback. DSD 64 - DSD 256 via DoP, native DSD via ASIO Coax (BNC) 1 Up to 384kHz and up to DSD 128 (via DoP). Dual-data* capable Coax (BNC) 2 Up to 384kHz and up to DSD 128 (via DoP). Dual-data* capable Optical input Up to 192kHz and DSD 64 (via DoP) Dual Data Mode Qutest will automatically detect when both BNC inputs are connected. Dual data mode will play up to 768kHz and DSD 256 (via DoP). *M Scaler compatibility: Using both BNC inputs, Qutest is capable of dual-data mode. Simply connect the BNC outputs of M Scaler to the corresponding BNC inputs of Qutest to experience the full upscaling capabilities. Variable line level output Qutest has a three-stage variable output voltage feature (1V, 2V and 3V) enabling compatibility with a wide range of partnering amplifiers and pre-amps. 1 During start-up (the first 16 seconds), simultaneously press both `FILTER' and `INPUT' buttons 2 Release press and repeat the duplicate press again to reach the desired output level ranging from 1V, 2V and 3V. Once the start-up sequence has completed, the output level will be fixed. Repeat the steps above to change the level. 1V RMS 2V RMS 3V RMS MEMORY FUNCTION: Qutest remembers the last-used setting, including filter, input and variable voltage selection. Setting the brightness of the LEDs To adjust the brightness level (after Qutest has finished the start-up sequence), again, press both `FILTER' and `INPUT' to cycle between `High' and `Low' modes. This will dim both the internal and external LEDs. 03 How to read sample rate Qutest is fully future-proof with 768kHz PCM support, DSD up to 256 via DoP (Mac) and native DSD up to DSD 512 playback (via ASIO driver for Windows). Sample rate switching is fully automatic, intuitively triggered by your device, playback application or computer. You can identify the incoming sample rate by observing the colour displayed in the viewing porthole and referencing it to the guide below: 44.1kHz to 768kHz - 16-bit to 32-bit Automatic sample rate switching Viewing Glass DSD up to DSD 256 via DoP, native DSD up to DSD 512 via ASIO driver * Native DSD playback is only available via Windows OS with the driver available from the Chord Electronics website. Sample frequencies in kHz 44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192 352.8 384 705.6 768 DSD