worrasf
17-04-2012, 18:12
I am so impressed with this unit I just had to write a mini review :)
Since having to send my CD transport back to Cyrus (again) for fixing I've been using my Wadia 170i in system 1 which reaffirmed how good this is after the Audiocom signature upgrade. System 2 has my Quad 67 Cd player which after the output mod is pretty darn good but I have no way of playing my iTunes stuff through this system which as it's in the study with my iMac and stuff is a bit limiting.
I'd seen these Chord Bluetooth DACs reviewed (mainly positive with a few not so impressed) but they always seemed a bit pricey although from a technical point of view they fit my requirements perfectly. Anyway, one came up on that well known auction site at a very reasonable price so I snapped it up - it's in mint condition so I'm well pleased.
Hooked everything up earlier today with no issues at all.
First I used the USB input streaming iTunes from my Samsung Netbook. All worked first time (nice) and SQ was OK but not startling - perfectly good for background music but not up to scratch for a serious evening's listening - the Quad 67 was much preferable - pretty much what I expected really so no worries.
Then I setup the Bluetooth connection via my iMac - in all honesty not expecting much more as I reckoned the the "wireless" can't be as good as the wired. How wrong was I :stalks: SQ was just so much better than the USB - I reckon the better sound card in the iMac must be responsible here.
You'll see from the photies I've hooked the DAC up to my amp via an input selector so I can switch between the DAC and the CD player - the Quad 33 has very limited inputs and I'm using them all. Now before we get all purist the selector switch has been totally rewired with quality hook-up wire, a really good 2 pole, 5-way preamp selector switch from HiFi collective and high quality RCA sockets. Interconnects are custom 20cm length pairs G1000HD courtesy of Mark Grant. I've previously listened to the CD player direct and through the selector and couldn't tell any difference. BTW, it's not an Audi Origami unit - the decal hides a scratch :eyebrows:
Anyhow, on all the tracks I've played syncing iTunes to the CD I can not tell the difference. The iTunes files are Apple Lossless ripped from the same CD's. The Bluetooth is just as good as the CD in all areas - :) Not bad eh - gives me more choice etc etc - money well spent and all that - happy camper.
Well - it got better! I also bought a Russ Andrews GemPak external PSU to replace the standard Wallwart one which the initial listening was done with.
With the GemPak PSU the SQ just went up several notches - it's better than the CD player !:eek: There is a delicacy and finesse to Einaudi's piano, more authority, slam and attack on Springsteen's Wrecking Ball. I'd hesitate to say there is more detail but imaging is more focused and stable and the whole presentation is simply "better". On Gustavo Santaolla's Motorcycle Diaries the guitar and drum work has so much more attack and immediacy - with an impression of more space and air around the instruments. I guess this must now come down to the superior DAC in the Chordette than in the Quad. But this is Bluetooth not hardwire.
Bottom line is I am streaming music from iTunes on the iMac to my Quad 33/303 JR149's (old fuddy duddy stuff) via a Bluetooth DAC and the SQ is just stunning - so very pleased.
I also think it looks the muts nuts.
I've also got a Sony Bluetooth dongle to connect my classic iPod but it's still in the box.
:cool:
Steve
Since having to send my CD transport back to Cyrus (again) for fixing I've been using my Wadia 170i in system 1 which reaffirmed how good this is after the Audiocom signature upgrade. System 2 has my Quad 67 Cd player which after the output mod is pretty darn good but I have no way of playing my iTunes stuff through this system which as it's in the study with my iMac and stuff is a bit limiting.
I'd seen these Chord Bluetooth DACs reviewed (mainly positive with a few not so impressed) but they always seemed a bit pricey although from a technical point of view they fit my requirements perfectly. Anyway, one came up on that well known auction site at a very reasonable price so I snapped it up - it's in mint condition so I'm well pleased.
Hooked everything up earlier today with no issues at all.
First I used the USB input streaming iTunes from my Samsung Netbook. All worked first time (nice) and SQ was OK but not startling - perfectly good for background music but not up to scratch for a serious evening's listening - the Quad 67 was much preferable - pretty much what I expected really so no worries.
Then I setup the Bluetooth connection via my iMac - in all honesty not expecting much more as I reckoned the the "wireless" can't be as good as the wired. How wrong was I :stalks: SQ was just so much better than the USB - I reckon the better sound card in the iMac must be responsible here.
You'll see from the photies I've hooked the DAC up to my amp via an input selector so I can switch between the DAC and the CD player - the Quad 33 has very limited inputs and I'm using them all. Now before we get all purist the selector switch has been totally rewired with quality hook-up wire, a really good 2 pole, 5-way preamp selector switch from HiFi collective and high quality RCA sockets. Interconnects are custom 20cm length pairs G1000HD courtesy of Mark Grant. I've previously listened to the CD player direct and through the selector and couldn't tell any difference. BTW, it's not an Audi Origami unit - the decal hides a scratch :eyebrows:
Anyhow, on all the tracks I've played syncing iTunes to the CD I can not tell the difference. The iTunes files are Apple Lossless ripped from the same CD's. The Bluetooth is just as good as the CD in all areas - :) Not bad eh - gives me more choice etc etc - money well spent and all that - happy camper.
Well - it got better! I also bought a Russ Andrews GemPak external PSU to replace the standard Wallwart one which the initial listening was done with.
With the GemPak PSU the SQ just went up several notches - it's better than the CD player !:eek: There is a delicacy and finesse to Einaudi's piano, more authority, slam and attack on Springsteen's Wrecking Ball. I'd hesitate to say there is more detail but imaging is more focused and stable and the whole presentation is simply "better". On Gustavo Santaolla's Motorcycle Diaries the guitar and drum work has so much more attack and immediacy - with an impression of more space and air around the instruments. I guess this must now come down to the superior DAC in the Chordette than in the Quad. But this is Bluetooth not hardwire.
Bottom line is I am streaming music from iTunes on the iMac to my Quad 33/303 JR149's (old fuddy duddy stuff) via a Bluetooth DAC and the SQ is just stunning - so very pleased.
I also think it looks the muts nuts.
I've also got a Sony Bluetooth dongle to connect my classic iPod but it's still in the box.
:cool:
Steve