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Designed in the
UK
3 Years of
Warranty
Ideal for
Audiophiles
Ideal for
Indoor Use
FPGA
DAC Chip
Metal
Build
Pair with Laptop
via USB
Connect With
USB, BNC & Optical
The Chord Qutest is pretty much my favourite DAC. Period. For about a lakh, I don't think I like any other DAC quite the same way. Sure, some might be technically better, some might have better test results. But music doesn't sound the same on anything else.
RAGHAV SOMANI
Headphone Guru
About Raghav Somani
DESCRIPTION
UPGRADE YOUR HOME SET-UP'S SOUND
Unlike other DACs by Chord Electronics, the Qutest does not have headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries. It is a pure DAC made to improve your home listening set-up. With its FPGA DAC, you get superior technical and sonic performance. With 49,152 taps, this DAC is able to support even Native DSD 512 (Octa-DSD).
MULTIPLE CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS
Connect to a wide variety of devices with the Qutest’s optical, 2 BNC Coax and USB Type-B digital inputs. These are galvanically isolated to give an instant performance upgrade as well as to modernise ageing digital source components. Connect to future Chord Electronics devices with Hi-Res dual-data digital inputs. RCA analogue outputs let you connect to headphone amps, preamps and integrated amps.
SUPPORTS ALL YOUR CHOICES
The Qutest lets you select from its four frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls. This can be done via the two fascia-mounted spheres. You can also choose whether you want the output voltage to be 1, 2 or 3 RMS for connecting to a range of devices. It supports a wide range of frequencies like 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz and 768kHz.
HIGH-QUALITY, DURABLE ALUMINIUM CASING
The Qutest sports a show-off-worthy chassis. This all-new chassis has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium for better durability. The PCB has been kept in a shallow cavity in the casing for additional isolation and protection from external vibration.
SPECS
| DEVICE POWER SUPPLY | 5v 2amp Micro USB |
| DIMENSIONS | 4.5cm (H) x 16cm (W) x 8.8cm (D) |
| WEIGHT | 770g |
| INPUT | USB Type B (White): 44.1kHz to 768kHz – 16bit to 32bit |
| 2x BNC Coax (Red): 44.1kHz – 384kHz – 16bit to 32bit | |
| 1x Dual data mode input (using both BNC coax inputs together): 44.1kHz to 768kHz – 16bit to 32bit | |
| Optical (Green): 44.1kHz to 96kHz – 16bit to 24bit | |
| OUTPUT | 1x stereo pair of RCA (Left and Right) |
| VARIABLE OUTPUT | Fixed, but selectable between 3v (blue), 2v (green), and 1v (red) via dual press of ‘Filter’ + ‘Input’ upon startup |
| CHIPSET | custom coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA |
| FREQUENCY RESPONSE | 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB |
| THD | <0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω |
| THD & NOISE | 117dB at 1kHz 300ohms @3v RMS |
| CHANNEL SEPARATION | 138dB at 1kHz 300Ω |
| TAP LENGTH | 49,152 |
| PULSE ARRAY | 10 element pulse array design |
| PCM SUPPORT | 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz. |
| DSD SUPPORT | Native playback supported. DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa-DSD) |
| DRIVER SUPPORT | Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS |
| BOX CONTENTS | 1. Chord Qutest DAC |
| 2. 5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply | |
| 3. Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable | |
| 4. Drawstring bag | |
| 5. Qutest user manual | |
| 6. Safety instructions |
FAQS
User Guide
Learn how to make the most out of your Chord Qutest with information on how to protect and clean your device from time to time. Get information on battery life indicators and configuring these with other devices.
Warranty & Media Reviews
3 Year Warranty
Don't sweat it, this Chord Qutest comes with a 3 year warranty from Chord that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.
Read more about Chord's warranty in India.
Best DAC £500 - £1200
What Hi-Fi? Awards
Nov, 2019
Best DAC £500 - £1200
What Hi-Fi? Awards
Nov, 2018
Best Product Award
EISA Award
Sep, 2019
Best Buy Winner
AVForums
July, 2018
Stars of CES Winner
What Hi-Fi?
Jan, 2018
Editor's Choice Winner
Hi-Fi Choice
Feb, 2018
Best DAC £500 - £1200
What Hi-Fi? Awards
Oct, 2020
'What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 winner. Chord has managed to do it again. The Qutest sets a new benchmark at this price. Clear, precise and subtle performer with stylish build.'
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'The Chord Qutest is a perfect fusion of science and art.Capable of astounding clarity, Chord’s Qutest DAC cuts the cost of audiophile grade digital decoding.'
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'Gosh, what is there not to like about the Qutest as a pure DAC? It gives resolutely detailed and fantastically natural sounding with just about any amp I can throw at it.'
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'The Qutest was detailed, natural, very atmospheric with great 3D imaging. The Qutest is a cuddly, small aluminium box which is machined from a solid billet of aluminium and then black anodised.'
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