General Source Gear Help/Discussion Thread

The qutest is going to be more smooth and less raw than the 2541, it’s going to also be a bit sweeter and more embellished whereas I’d consdier the 2541 a bit more no nonsense. Spatially it’s going to be more depth focused than width for both but I think the presentation of chord is more upfront and dense. I do think the chord would be brighter than the 2541. Resolution wise about similar, speed wise the 2541 feels quicker than the chord, dynamically I might say the 2541 has better microdynamcis but the chord actually might have better macrodynamics, timbre wise I personally prefer the 2541. Personally I think the 2541 is a more refined and capable dac for the money, BUT if you end up liking the chord coloration (almost chord sheen/embellishment), I can see someone enjoying the chord more as the 2541 is more no nonsense.

Oh, mainly single ended right? That’s something where I do think the 2541 single ended outputs are a bit worse, but not bad enough to suggest against it for single ended, the chord might be more even that way

I think so, although I’d be suspicious of the one for 1k, but I’ve seen them sell on places like music room for 1400, and I’m just going to guess that either those listings are old and left open, or they can’t move them and want to just get rid of them

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Thank you very much, the exogals dont strike me as completely legit, because its the $1000 one cause ill visit cali soon, I wanted it but has no ratings and sus “support still available”…

So ill be shooting for soekris or chord for now, Great explanations, thank you very much!

With what you wrote im almost certainly shooting for the chord now, just have to wait for a cheap one or a legit exogal that would stand without needed customer support

TMR is a trusted seller, they can also handle overseas shipping. Check out this link.
https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a-converters/?tab=products&page=1&rb_price=1000%2C1350

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Oh wow TMR has 2 of them for 1.1k basically, that’s kinda a no brainer

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That good?

They were always undervalued, but they’ve taken another price hit since exogal went out of business. It’s doubtful you’ll find a better DAC at that price point.
Now whether the presentation is for you is another matter.

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FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

I just bought two grados rs1e and sr325i gold limited thinking cheap exogals didnt exist, I think im gonna sell my arya to afford one

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what is exogal’s presentation in a nutshell?

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There are people on here who own them, so I’ll defer to them, but the very little time I spent with one, I’d put them in the clean/dry/technical presentation camp.

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thats exactly what I was looking for, I cant believe I bought 2 grados while writing this thread, fuck myself

anyways, supposing exogals stay cheap I may be able to pick one when I sell the aryas or dissapointingly get a qutest

Does TMR legally help out with international taxes if I ask them to? or would be better to get that one when I visit california?

There is no way around taxes for me in cali from them so I doubt it. if you want someone to proxy it for you I am more than happy to though

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I’ve passed on purchasing from TMR because of state taxes, lol. On these big items it totally changes the calculation!

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I just ask them to deduct it from the price they give me in addition. Lol

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This is a strange question to ask. Any legitimate company will report the correct amount to the taxing authorities. Are you asking them to illegally report a lower amount for international export?

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While I don’t know too much about international sales and taxes/import and stuff, from what I see I don’t think it’s that unusual for both private sellers and some dealers to report lower value for lower tax, but generally a bigger place like TMR or something isn’t going to be willing to do that. There are plenty of legitimate dealers and sellers willing to potentially “work with” a customer to get their patronage, but generally that’s not going to happen with some of the more automated and less personal routes of buying

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Also, has anyone heard any Arte Forma gear? Looks nice

http://www.arteformaaudio.com.tw/index.asp

That being said, I have heard they fell apart internally, but not sure

Our ex-presidente fudged his taxes all the time, don’t feel the least bit sorry trying to save a buck. Although if they come after you you’ll will go to jail, go directly to jail and not pass Go.

Didn’t pay attention to the little things I’d bought from them previous, but Moon Audio doesn’t charge state sales tax. It’s the only place I’ve bought from of late that still does that.

But I agree, part of the used market dealings is not paying sales tax which can add up on high ticket items.

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I think the comment was more about no one is going to say they do it openly and in writting more so than that you shouldnt ask

Oh I agree, wouldn’t ask a vendor to do that.

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