Getting the new version of Quad Cortex

Quad Cortex
1

Hello everyone,

I wanted to bring a bit more attention to a subtle issue I am experiencing with purchasing the Quad Cortex. Maybe someone will be able to help me.

As you may be aware, since AUG 2025 there is a new version of the hardware available. This version of the hardware includes a number of improvements:

(1) TYPE Switch: Inputs 1/2 no longer display TYPE switches. The signal is now automatically detected by both the TS and XLR inputs, so the TYPE selection is no longer needed. IMPEDANCE and PHANTOM 48V settings will remain accessible regardless of the connected cable.

(2) IMPEDANCE Knob: The IMPEDANCE setting only affects the TS input, even if an XLR cable is connected.

(3) PHANTOM 48V Switch: The XLR signal is completely isolated when a TS cable is connected. PHANTOM 48V only applies to the XLR input. It’s safe to enable even if a TS cable is connected.

(4) Power Consumption: Quad Cortex units with the new codec are more energy-efficient, reducing power consumption by up to 50%. However, the power requirements remain unchanged: 12V DC 3A (center negative), as marked on the chassis.

The changes introduced are said not to impact the sound quality, but in my opinion are substantial enough to care. See also Quad Cortex Development Update #56 - Neural DSP for more details.

Unfortunately, after AUG 2025 Neural DSP manufactured both versions of the hardware without tracking which version ends up in the box (I got that information directly from Neural DSP). Thus, when you buy Quad Cortex, you do not know which version of the hardware you get. Neural DSP themselves, they do not know which version is in the box. Also dealers do not know….

The only way to be certain is to open the box, power on the unit, and navigate to the “I/O settings.” There, it must be checked whether the “Type” switch is present. If it is visible, it indicates the older hardware version, and nothing can be done about it afterward. For the newer hardware version, it is therefore important that this switch is not visible.

Unfortunately, based on the information I received from Neural DSP, there is no other way to verify this. It is not sufficient to inspect the box or to know the production batch date. In my view, this constitutes a form of negligence on Neural DSP’s part. From a customer’s perspective, one is paying the same price for an “inferior” and a “superior” hardware version.

As said above, Neural DSP states that there is no difference in audio quality, but objectively, the new hardware is significantly better in terms of handling XLR, TRS, and phantom power. Additionally, the new Quad Cortex consumes up to 50% less power.

I do not want to purchase the older version when the newer one is already available - especially when I am paying around 1700 EUR. A fair option would be to either increase the price of the “better” hardware, or “decrease” the price of the older hardware. If Neural DSP wants to keep the price the same, that’s fine with me, and if you do not care which version you get I don’t mind. But I do care - this device will stay with me for long, and this is something I will always be reminded about when connecting an XLR mic to it…

The problem is that the dealers are (1) sometimes not even aware of this difference, (2) they do not know which version they have (and this is nothing but negligence on the side of Neural DSP).

My current approach is to contact sellers with physical stores, where there may be an “open box” unit that they can verify. If this does not work out over time, I will have to consider whether I am willing to take part in the lottery. In that case, I would likely order directly from Neural DSP, as the chances of receiving the newer version seem highest there at the moment.

To be honest, I am somewhat disappointed with Neural DSP. I would have expected them to handle this issue more effectively — especially when customers are looking to purchase a flagship product at such a high price. Unfortunately, their support has not been helpful in this matter. Not good first impression.

If anyone knows a good dealer in EU who is able to help, please let it know in the comment.

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It has been about 8 months since that changeover took place, and that with a holiday season having passed. There’s a high likelihood that any remaining older QC units left in the market have been sold off, and existing stock of QC units at retailers are the new version. I see your concern, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it.

EDIT: I made the comment above with an assumption that retailers would follow “first in, first out” principles when shipping units. From the stories recounted below, apparently that is not the case.

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Hi @marcin Understand your concerns.

Well see, not long ago my QC stopped booting fully and Neural was quick to replace (an already second hand, once repaired, unit) it with a brand new one. Without cost. They must have known this defect couldn’t be fixed. No BS, that’s the best service I’ve ever experienced.

Got the new one, the “old” version, asked them and got the same reply as you. Which I don’t mind. Because: The way I see it is that they produce both versions side by side, shipping them of without creating a bias. You can say we’re all equal in the same lottery.

Of cause they need to sell the old stock in some way. Being very observant on my own effect on the climate I was of cause also a fraction disappointed, but I chose to live with it. Not a deal breaker. Lol you can say I was bought and sold, even more than I was in the first place. The service is second to non, that’s worth taking into consideration.

In your case I would just wait. Or go to another modeler, in the event you can find a unit that specs your wishes, which I don’t think you can, without knowing for sure.

Best of luck

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Thanks @kNow2 for your reaction. Yeah, I would live with it as well, but because I am not in a hurry either, I am trying to see if I can get the new version somehow. If that does not work, I will probably accept my fate.

So just trying to get what I consider a better option for me. I would even pay more if that what’s necessary…

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I contacted Neaural DSP yesterday - they still have mixed stocks. Thomann confirmed to me that they only have old stock at the moment. So far only one dealer said to me that they have the new version - but I am still double checking with them as some of the dealers do not seem to understand that you cannot upgrade hardware by doing SW update ;).

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BTW I think I read your story in another thread before, and it was a nice testimony to read. Maybe you just hang the bar too high, and I was expecting that if I get directly in touch with the them, they would have such a high level of understanding and compassion to my concern that they would find the right version for me. I have HW/SW engineering background and maybe - taken my past experience - it was too much of a shock to me that they do not track this properly. In manufacturing world this is almost like basic hygiene factor. I think, in the deepest corners of my hard, I do not really believe it…

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Just followed these here two ears and that was what decided for me. Everything back then was all new and innovative. Trust proven and rewarded in my case.:heart_on_fire::blush:

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There could be three versions of the hardware from what I’ve read before.

Obviously the release unit, but then a much less cluttered board with integrated wifi module came at some point. This must be the one I bought late last year, as I know it isn’t the newest version with the ESS Codec. In I/O the inputs 1&2 have auto selection for XLR/Instrument.

I’d love to know the veracity of these claims and more importantly, which version started drawing less power. Whatever the difference, mine sounds incredible and I’ve never been happier with a modeller.

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Looks like I found a dealer that took the extra mile for me. The support representative got in touch with the warehouse to check it out. Turns out they have mixed stock, but they did a test on the device and I got screenshot that confirms they have the new HW version. So far the only dealer that was willing to perform the physical check! Hopefully nothing gets mixed in the shipment…

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So I’ve got one of each of the preESS codec units. I might be crazy but I think they sound a bit different.

I kinda like the sound of the older one better. Slightly softer attack is what I’m hearing.

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Are the impedance settings the same on both units? A lower value softens the perceived attack and presence.

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Yep. Set up identical. Now I haven’t done any recorded tests, just a feeling I get. May not be picked up in a recording.

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Whatever feels better will give you an edge with your playing, even if it’s psychological!

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They just don’t see it as a new №2 (or however many HW versions exist?) unit at a different price level, cost/benefit leveling. Think they have stated similar somewhere. Quite sure the retailers would be pretty p​:face_with_symbols_on_mouth:ssed too, losing money on this, sitting back with stock past off as inferior. Shows that this system works as a best case scenario for most involved.

Maybe an associate with the company could get what s/he wanted, new ESS codec or old chipset? Maybe not? Equality for the rest of us mere mortal consumers, just so that some entitled schmuck waltzing in in an 5€ outlet Santa costume making loud noises can’t force it.

Regardless of you seem like a considered, truly concerned and well educated kinda guy Finland is one of the least corrupt countries in the world so your suggestion for “special treatment” might just have been seen in such a light, as a direct insult? Or with deeper understanding yet sticking to their consumer equality roll out policy?

Glad you got what you wanted, enjoy this awesome machine​:+1:t3:

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Yeah. I was not pushing them for anything. I just asked if what they have in stock currently is the new hardware and if they can ship quickly or there is a waiting time. So, no, I would not ask for special treatment. I was actually pretty sure that the old stock is gone by now - it is already end of March and they started to write about it in May 2025. So, I was very surprised that they themselves do not know which units they have. And ok, maybe I was actually expecting they will open the box and check when it turned out their stock is still a mix. In the end if I was able to find a dealer who did it for me - and this is big online dealer - so they called the warehouse and they did the check just for me - then well, I am probably not completely unrealistic to expect it would be even easier to do it in their headquarters in Finland. But they did not and did not offer me any help with respect to that… And yes, I understand it is a very, very bad situation to have both HW versions at the same price - and of course you want to get rid of the old ones first. But when you are getting the customer who explicitly communicates that he is aware of the difference and wants a new version - what is the win here to ignore it. And every manufacturer has that problem when it brings a new version and there are better ways of handling it than counting on customers not being aware and doing some sort of a lottery. When I posted about it elsewhere, I was just called “dumbass” multiple time by people claiming there is not difference in hardware. Or maybe they just did not even know about it and when someone pointed out the difference to them they got angry… So, just to be sure we get it right here - Neural DSP says there is not difference in sound - and I can believe it without making any factual tests. The power consumption of the audio component appears to be lower - they say it is up to 50% - this could indicate some mistakes in the old design (as said - I worked for years in embedded systems building hardware and software - and it is not so often the case that switching from one component to another gives such substantial savings - although it can happen, but often it could indicate some problems in the design). So the only really important thing for me in the new HW is better handling of combo XLR/TRS inputs and better protection regarding phantom voltage. In the new version you do not have to worry about phantom ever appearing on TS input. As they say: “PHANTOM 48V only applies to the XLR input. It’s safe to enable even if a TS cable is connected”. This is a nice to have for me.

Actually, the introduction of QC mini is also a bit tricky to me. Having two versions of the hardware (QC and QC mini) - very similar hardware - is a pain from manufacturing perspective. I would rather prefer to have a “base unit” in the form factor of QC mini, with custom-made programmable extension board (e.g. with switches or pedals, etc) so that you can grow the unit “on demand” and not spend another 1300 EURO for a “backup” device (I think it is an insult to QC mini to be used as a backup device ;)). I know a similar effect can be achieved with MIDI boards, but Neural DSP could make it nice, convenient, and working seamlessly with the base unit. At least, I would like that and if I would be working at Neural DSP this would be the direction I would take (even before introducing Neural DSP).

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Sorry to hear people lashing out at you for pointing factual implementations out. The interwebs, what do you know​:man_facepalming:t3::roll_eyes:? Have tried similar on a whole other subject elsewhere. Lets just say I wasn’t very conscious about the ego, anger and pain in me so it didn’t end so well for them​:fire:. Poor guys, they see it as you taking what little they cling to by being innovative and/or more informed. The Schopenhauer effect.

Seems like most users are well informed here about this specific HW “upgrade”, yet do not particularly care about it as long as it sounds as good, or trust Neural when they put out their sparse news.

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So far I am very pleased with people on this forum.

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Can only stand in awe for what the long time regulars have achieved here. Wholesome and mindblowing :exploding_head: how they’ve kept this boat afloat :hugs:

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This forum is a great community and people are more than willing to help each other. Light years ahead of social media platforms and I learnt a lot just from reading previous threads.

I’d still love to hear which version of the hardware required less power though. Was it when the board changed, or when the audio codec changed? I don’t have equipment to test mine.

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The part that has the new codec uses less power. It’s a small thing overall. In the original post the OP made it seem like the QC used 50% less power overall which isn’t accurate

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