TONEAudio Magazine
New member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2013
- Messages
- 391
- Thread Author
- #1
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-10800" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/attachment/1-25/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10800" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/130.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="441" /></a>“Open the pod bay door, Hal.” As I unbox the Chord Chordette QuteHD DAC, I cannot help but recall that famous quote from Stanley Kubrick’s <em>2001: A Space Odyssey</em>.* The Cordette is indeed reminiscent of the HAL 9000 computer from the movie, complete with a large, round eye, which offers a view into the internal circuitry.* This window emits a variety of colors from the device’s internal LEDs, and the red glow, which appears when the DAC is converting a 44.1-kHz signal, is eerily HAL-like.* Other colors appear at higher bitrate conversions, and the Chordette is capable of handling a whopping 32-bit/384-kHz signal.</strong></p>
<p>*</p>
<p>The Chordette measures only 6 inches wide, 3 inches deep and 1.75 inches tall, which allows placement on a shelf or next to an existing piece of equipment on your audio rack. *The anodized aluminum exterior has nicely rounded edges and is available in a variety of colors, including blue, black, and silver.* The DAC’s power arrives from a thin-wired wall wart. *For those seeking a minimalist audio solution, the Chordette provides a welcome form factor.</p>
<p><span>“It can only be attributable to human error.”</span></p>
<p>Setup proves very straightforward, with the Chordette offering one option for the analog output: a stereo pair of single-ended RCAs. *Users do have the option to connect it to digital sources via USB, optical or coaxial inputs. *It’s important to note that the coax input is in the form of a BNC connector, not the more common RCA variety, so those wishing to connect a source using this input will need the appropriate cable. *BNC connectors are great for their ability to transfer a signal and physically lock onto their receptacles, but I’d like the option to connect both types of coax inputs. *Luckily, I have a Stereovox XV2 digital cable on hand that offers BNC on one end and RCA coax on the other.</p>
<p>Installing the Chordette is simple and seamless, with the packaged CD containing drivers for the USB setup. *Once I place the disc in my PC, connect the USB cable and power up the Chordette, Windows 7 has no problems recognizing the DAC and activating the needed drivers. *Mac users need only go to their control panel and select the Chordette as their digital output device.</p>
<p>The Chordette is a black-box solution, meaning there are no buttons, switches or knobs to control it.* Simply connect your digital sources and the DAC takes care of everything else.* Without an input selector, the Chordette prioritizes incoming signals when multiple inputs are connected simultaneously. *For instance, if coaxial and USB cables are both connected to the unit the default priority is the USB input; optical is the lowest priority. *When I pause the USB source material from the computer, the Chordette begins its search for the next-ranked input source, which in my case is the coax connected to a CD player. *After about 20 seconds, it resumes playing the second source automatically. *For those with a single digital source this could not be simpler. *For those with multiple sources, it’s mostly a matter of stopping any source you don’t want to hear. *Even when unplugging the USB cable in the middle of a song, the DAC makes a quick search and, after a pause, it moves on to the next available connected source.</p>
<p><span><a rel="attachment wp-att-10802" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/attachment/2-23/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10802" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/229.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="349" /></a>“I’d like to hear it, HAL. Sing it for me.”</span></p>
<p>With the Chordette, joys are many and quibbles are very few. *It creates a supplemental “drive” to the music. *It doesn’t actually speed up a song, but it creates a subtle sense of urgency that pulls in (and holds) the listener. *Attack on guitar plucks and drum beats in Gipsy Kings’ <em>Ritmo de la Noche</em> commands attention, but it never overpowers the big-picture musical experience.* Yet, on smaller-scale solo performances, the Chordette still accentuates delicacy and nuance, making this DAC a great option for all types of music.</p>
<p>The Chordette provides a nicely balanced presentation across all frequencies. *Highs are realistically and enjoyably rendered; mids are smooth and lifelike; and bass presentation is punchy, full and deep. *One small experiential variance from my usual reference, in the form of “Otherwise” by Morcheeba, reveals low bass notes pushing upfront in the virtual stage and competing a bit with the vocals.* Admittedly, I enjoy a little extra heft in some recordings so this aspect will prove a non-issue for many listeners, especially those with smaller speakers.</p>
<p>This DAC also provides a stellar level of detail across all sample rates. *Even a 48-kHz translation demonstrates audible improvement over a standard 44.1-kHz CD. *A CD of the Connecticut Early Music Ensemble performing Vivaldi’s <em>Four Seasons</em> puts a shiver down my spine during a few passages—an experience I don’t have too often. *With ribbon tweeters, a small amount of perceivable sharpness emerges at times in lower-resolution digital recordings, which can detract from the musical experience.* But this DAC really draws me into the musicality of a song rather than simply evaluating the equipment producing it.</p>
<p>When I use the Chordette’s coax connection to a CD-quality source, the sound is marvelous.* However, the perceived width of the performance has some limits. *Air’s “Venus” provides a good test for this. *With some other DACs, the musical experience extends well beyond the speakers’ limits and remains there. *The Chordette is reined in a bit and does not exceed the physical speaker boundaries to the same degree. *I do find some improvement in this regard when using the USB connection, or when using a dCS Purcell to upsample to 96 kHz.</p>
<p>What the Chordette creates between the speakers is both dramatic and convincing. *Johnny Cash’s cover of “Danny Boy,” recorded late in career, reveals the age in Cash’s voice. *There’s an emotional undertone in it that transcends the song itself, especially when accompanied by the distant-sounding pipe organ.* For those wanting to experience every nuance up close, in a front-row seat, this DAC enables that experience. *Those who prefer to sit further back at a performance may find the detail a bit much.* But even for those listeners, I expect many will enjoy the change of seat location as the Chordette ushers them toward it.</p>
<p>“Road to Hell: Part I”<em> </em>by Chris Rea<em> </em>sonically simulates a person driving a car down the highway in the rain.* On this track, the Chordette does an incredible job recreating front-to-back depth and layering. *Windshield wipers scrape from side to side, the radio switches between various news stations and many cars drive by in the distance with a <em>whoosh</em>. *The portrayal of these elements though the Chordette is exciting:* The passing cars sound well behind the speakers, with their tires rolling over a wet road; the wiper blades appear ahead of the listener, as though clearing rain from a pane of glass between the speakers (you can hear that the driver needs to buy some new blades); and the simulated radio stations, with news updates panned left and right, have a sound one would expect from old car speakers.</p>
<p><span><a rel="attachment wp-att-10803" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/attachment/3-22/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10803" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/326.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>“You guys have really come up with somethin’.”</span></p>
<p>When asked about its status, the HAL 9000 replied, “I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think any conscious entity can ever hope to do.”* While obviously not conscious, the Chordette QuteHD certainly puts its skills to the fullest possible use in a home audio system. *The team at Chord Electronics has done an outstanding job designing and voicing this amazing little DAC. *It offers flexible input options, a very small footprint and extreme ease of use, as well as adaptability for both low- and high-resolution digital sources. *Combining these attributes with wonderful sound, this DAC proves a marvelous addition to a stereo setup.* For those evaluating DAC options around the Chordette’s $1,700 price range and who enjoy feeling like they are in the front row at a musical performance, the Chordette is a fantastic option.</p>
<p><strong>Chordette QuteHD DAC</strong></p>
<p><strong>MSRP: </strong>$1,700</p>
<p>Chord Electronics</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk/">www.chordelectronics.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="5.5"><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Piega P10</td>
</tr><tr><td>Amplifier</td>
<td>Mark Levinson 335</td>
</tr><tr><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>Coffman Labs G1-A</td>
</tr><tr readability="3"><td>Digital Sources</td>
<td>Audio Research CD3 MKII * *dCS Purcell processor * *EAD 9000 MKIII DAC * Genesis Technologies Digital Lens</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Cables</td>
<td>Jena Labs Valkyrie and Symphony interconnects * *Jena Labs Twin 15 speaker cables</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Conditioner</td>
<td>Running Springs Audio Haley</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Cords</td>
<td>Cardas Golden and RSA Mongoose</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Accessories</td>
<td>Mapleshade SAMSON racks and shelves * *ASC TubeTraps * *Cathedral Sound room-dampening panels</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/]
<p>*</p>
<p>The Chordette measures only 6 inches wide, 3 inches deep and 1.75 inches tall, which allows placement on a shelf or next to an existing piece of equipment on your audio rack. *The anodized aluminum exterior has nicely rounded edges and is available in a variety of colors, including blue, black, and silver.* The DAC’s power arrives from a thin-wired wall wart. *For those seeking a minimalist audio solution, the Chordette provides a welcome form factor.</p>
<p><span>“It can only be attributable to human error.”</span></p>
<p>Setup proves very straightforward, with the Chordette offering one option for the analog output: a stereo pair of single-ended RCAs. *Users do have the option to connect it to digital sources via USB, optical or coaxial inputs. *It’s important to note that the coax input is in the form of a BNC connector, not the more common RCA variety, so those wishing to connect a source using this input will need the appropriate cable. *BNC connectors are great for their ability to transfer a signal and physically lock onto their receptacles, but I’d like the option to connect both types of coax inputs. *Luckily, I have a Stereovox XV2 digital cable on hand that offers BNC on one end and RCA coax on the other.</p>
<p>Installing the Chordette is simple and seamless, with the packaged CD containing drivers for the USB setup. *Once I place the disc in my PC, connect the USB cable and power up the Chordette, Windows 7 has no problems recognizing the DAC and activating the needed drivers. *Mac users need only go to their control panel and select the Chordette as their digital output device.</p>
<p>The Chordette is a black-box solution, meaning there are no buttons, switches or knobs to control it.* Simply connect your digital sources and the DAC takes care of everything else.* Without an input selector, the Chordette prioritizes incoming signals when multiple inputs are connected simultaneously. *For instance, if coaxial and USB cables are both connected to the unit the default priority is the USB input; optical is the lowest priority. *When I pause the USB source material from the computer, the Chordette begins its search for the next-ranked input source, which in my case is the coax connected to a CD player. *After about 20 seconds, it resumes playing the second source automatically. *For those with a single digital source this could not be simpler. *For those with multiple sources, it’s mostly a matter of stopping any source you don’t want to hear. *Even when unplugging the USB cable in the middle of a song, the DAC makes a quick search and, after a pause, it moves on to the next available connected source.</p>
<p><span><a rel="attachment wp-att-10802" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/attachment/2-23/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10802" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/229.jpg" alt="" width="580" height="349" /></a>“I’d like to hear it, HAL. Sing it for me.”</span></p>
<p>With the Chordette, joys are many and quibbles are very few. *It creates a supplemental “drive” to the music. *It doesn’t actually speed up a song, but it creates a subtle sense of urgency that pulls in (and holds) the listener. *Attack on guitar plucks and drum beats in Gipsy Kings’ <em>Ritmo de la Noche</em> commands attention, but it never overpowers the big-picture musical experience.* Yet, on smaller-scale solo performances, the Chordette still accentuates delicacy and nuance, making this DAC a great option for all types of music.</p>
<p>The Chordette provides a nicely balanced presentation across all frequencies. *Highs are realistically and enjoyably rendered; mids are smooth and lifelike; and bass presentation is punchy, full and deep. *One small experiential variance from my usual reference, in the form of “Otherwise” by Morcheeba, reveals low bass notes pushing upfront in the virtual stage and competing a bit with the vocals.* Admittedly, I enjoy a little extra heft in some recordings so this aspect will prove a non-issue for many listeners, especially those with smaller speakers.</p>
<p>This DAC also provides a stellar level of detail across all sample rates. *Even a 48-kHz translation demonstrates audible improvement over a standard 44.1-kHz CD. *A CD of the Connecticut Early Music Ensemble performing Vivaldi’s <em>Four Seasons</em> puts a shiver down my spine during a few passages—an experience I don’t have too often. *With ribbon tweeters, a small amount of perceivable sharpness emerges at times in lower-resolution digital recordings, which can detract from the musical experience.* But this DAC really draws me into the musicality of a song rather than simply evaluating the equipment producing it.</p>
<p>When I use the Chordette’s coax connection to a CD-quality source, the sound is marvelous.* However, the perceived width of the performance has some limits. *Air’s “Venus” provides a good test for this. *With some other DACs, the musical experience extends well beyond the speakers’ limits and remains there. *The Chordette is reined in a bit and does not exceed the physical speaker boundaries to the same degree. *I do find some improvement in this regard when using the USB connection, or when using a dCS Purcell to upsample to 96 kHz.</p>
<p>What the Chordette creates between the speakers is both dramatic and convincing. *Johnny Cash’s cover of “Danny Boy,” recorded late in career, reveals the age in Cash’s voice. *There’s an emotional undertone in it that transcends the song itself, especially when accompanied by the distant-sounding pipe organ.* For those wanting to experience every nuance up close, in a front-row seat, this DAC enables that experience. *Those who prefer to sit further back at a performance may find the detail a bit much.* But even for those listeners, I expect many will enjoy the change of seat location as the Chordette ushers them toward it.</p>
<p>“Road to Hell: Part I”<em> </em>by Chris Rea<em> </em>sonically simulates a person driving a car down the highway in the rain.* On this track, the Chordette does an incredible job recreating front-to-back depth and layering. *Windshield wipers scrape from side to side, the radio switches between various news stations and many cars drive by in the distance with a <em>whoosh</em>. *The portrayal of these elements though the Chordette is exciting:* The passing cars sound well behind the speakers, with their tires rolling over a wet road; the wiper blades appear ahead of the listener, as though clearing rain from a pane of glass between the speakers (you can hear that the driver needs to buy some new blades); and the simulated radio stations, with news updates panned left and right, have a sound one would expect from old car speakers.</p>
<p><span><a rel="attachment wp-att-10803" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/attachment/3-22/"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10803" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/326.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>“You guys have really come up with somethin’.”</span></p>
<p>When asked about its status, the HAL 9000 replied, “I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think any conscious entity can ever hope to do.”* While obviously not conscious, the Chordette QuteHD certainly puts its skills to the fullest possible use in a home audio system. *The team at Chord Electronics has done an outstanding job designing and voicing this amazing little DAC. *It offers flexible input options, a very small footprint and extreme ease of use, as well as adaptability for both low- and high-resolution digital sources. *Combining these attributes with wonderful sound, this DAC proves a marvelous addition to a stereo setup.* For those evaluating DAC options around the Chordette’s $1,700 price range and who enjoy feeling like they are in the front row at a musical performance, the Chordette is a fantastic option.</p>
<p><strong>Chordette QuteHD DAC</strong></p>
<p><strong>MSRP: </strong>$1,700</p>
<p>Chord Electronics</p>
<p><a href="http://www.chordelectronics.co.uk/">www.chordelectronics.co.uk</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="5.5"><tr><td>Speakers</td>
<td>Piega P10</td>
</tr><tr><td>Amplifier</td>
<td>Mark Levinson 335</td>
</tr><tr><td>Preamplifier</td>
<td>Coffman Labs G1-A</td>
</tr><tr readability="3"><td>Digital Sources</td>
<td>Audio Research CD3 MKII * *dCS Purcell processor * *EAD 9000 MKIII DAC * Genesis Technologies Digital Lens</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Cables</td>
<td>Jena Labs Valkyrie and Symphony interconnects * *Jena Labs Twin 15 speaker cables</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Conditioner</td>
<td>Running Springs Audio Haley</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Cords</td>
<td>Cardas Golden and RSA Mongoose</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Accessories</td>
<td>Mapleshade SAMSON racks and shelves * *ASC TubeTraps * *Cathedral Sound room-dampening panels</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/chord-electronics-chordette-qutehd-dac/]