Not sure, but I also wanna caveat that even if they do, it might be more expensive, you might not like it better, it might not pair better with your chain. I think just because a new model comes out, doesn’t mean that the current model is bad or not the better pairing with your setup.
Just something to think about.
Rob Watts (the designer of Chord’s DACs) is a regular on Head-fi. He has indicated that his current project is actually an A to D converter (DAVINA). Many people have asked about an “all in one” HMS + DAVE type unit, and he has also generally commented that this would be very difficult from an engineering perspective, and that he hasn’t been focusing on it. To be clear, I have no insight beyond what Rob posts to the rest of the public, but you can find his main thread here:
He also regularly comments on the primary DAVE, Hugo TT2, and HMS threads.
@andris beat me to it …
Everytime this question has come up on Head-Fi, Rob Watts (DAVE’s designer) has said that he’s got two other projects he wants to finish before he works on a revision to DAVE.
Those are DAVINA, which I believe is an ADC system, and his DX “Digital Amps”.
As I understand things (which is not necessarily correct) what the DX stuff is supposed to be may mean there isn’t a separate “DAC” as such in a DX system. At least one discussion I read suggested that they could be driven directly off an M-Scaler without needing a specific “DAC” in the chain.
If that’s the case, there may not be a “DAVE 2” in the normal sense of things but instead it might be a “DX” unit. And in theory you could have one optimized for headphone output, and another for speaker-drive or, of course, one that did both.
Knowing full well Chord doesn’t think their DACs need a linear power supply, has anyone tried one (or an ifi).
Thinking about one for the Qutest. 5v.
The first thing the output of an LPS into a Chord Qutest would find … is more (internal) switching power supplies. No measurable difference at the output of the DAC. No audible difference either (to me). Even when I’ve tried it with a state of the art lab-supply that cost more than a new BMW.
Same was true of the Hugo TT2.
I’ve heard a DAVE that was modified with a big, external, PSU that cost half as much as the DAC itself and was in an ugly plain box at least twice the size of it. This actually bypasses DAVEs internal main SMPS (though not all the internal ones). Couldn’t tell it apart from a regular DAVE in a synchronized, level matched, back to back comparison. Didn’t measure any different at the output of the DAC either.
Personally, the cases I’ve found where an LPS did make a difference, it was mostly with analog hardware (amplifiers), that didn’t then have their other SMPS or level-shifters internally. That usually required measurements to see … audibility was basically zero unless either nothing was playing, or it was so quiet a passage as to be subject to other noise issues anyway.
Your mileage may vary.
Yes indeed about analog - most of the LPS’s I see go with phono preamps…
Good to know you tried it and gained no improvement. I did not know there another internal switching power supply on the Qutest DAC. I figured the external Power supply was where the business was conducted.
I wonder if there a specific design reason? Thanks for the info @Torq You saved me some $$.
Almost all digital electronics have multiple level-shifters or switching supplies internally.
Different parts of the circuit have different power requirements. Sometimes you can do it with voltage dividers (just resistors), if you’re just reducing voltage. But switchers are more efficient and, if done properly and used appropriately, can be better than linear supplies.
I have my TT2 connected to my HMS. Is there any way for the HMS’s receipt of a signal to wake up the TT2? Or is my choice to leave the TT2 on or power it up with using? Standby mode (turning off on remote or pressing the power button on the front panel) seems to be power-off for all intents and purposes.
I haven’t tried LPS and don’t intend to, but I’ve had favorable experiences with the battery pack that Rob Watts uses – clarity, black background, separation.
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I have this one and have no complaints.
Terrific price.
You can customize the voltage of course. 
You know this is a different company than Chord Electronics? 
Ah, oops my bad! I’ll just leave it up there for fun. Thanks for the correction!
All good, I have seen many a times the two confused and the ire of overpriced cables aimed at our favorite DAC/Amp company
Our favorite overpriced DAC / Amp company.
But beloved nonetheless…
ANNI looks to be out soon.
Wonder how it compares with the Qutest to the TT2
