Chord Qutest

The Chord Electronics Qutest is the pure standalone DAC of the Chord lineup, no headphone amplifier, no battery, no compromise. Built from the same FPGA technology as the Hugo 2 in a precision-machined aircraft-grade aluminium chassis designed specifically for desktop and home audio use. Made in the UK.

Type and Technology

Desktop DAC, Class A solid-state output stage. Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA with 49,152-tap 10-element Pulse Array WTA filter, the same digital technology as the Chord Hugo 2. PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD64 to DSD512 native. Four user-selectable digital filters. Galvanically isolated USB-B input. Inputs: USB Type-B (up to 768kHz), 2x BNC coaxial (up to 384kHz, or 768kHz in dual-data mode), optical (up to 96kHz). Output: stereo RCA pair. User-selectable output voltage: 1V, 2V, or 3V RMS. Made in the UK.

Sound Character

The Qutest makes an immediately apparent difference in any system it enters, the 49,152-tap WTA filter recovers timing and spatial information from digital recordings with an accuracy that most DACs cannot match. The Class A output stage has essentially no noise floor modulation. Channel separation is 138dB at 1kHz. The three selectable output voltages make it easy to match gain with any connected amplifier or preamplifier.

Build and Finish

Precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet with a polycarbonate button and glass viewing portal. Jett Black only. Powered by a 5V 2A Micro USB supply. Compatible with the Chord Qutest stand system (QSS) for stacking with the Chord Anni and Chord Huei.

Upgrade Path

The Qutest's dual BNC inputs accept the output of the Chord Hugo M Scaler at up to 768kHz, the M Scaler is the single most impactful upgrade available for a Qutest-based system, dramatically improving resolution and spatial presentation from standard CD-resolution files.

Best For

Home and desktop audiophiles who want the Chord FPGA DAC experience without a headphone amplifier, particularly as a source for the Chord Anni or a high-end integrated amplifier.

What's in the Box

• Chord Qutest DAC
• 5V Micro USB power supply
• Documentation

Specifications