Chord Electronics Qutest

Chord Electronics Qutest – A DAC in an absolute class of its own

At Lydspecialisten, we never compromise on sound quality. That is why we are proud to present the Qutest from British Chord Electronics – a compact yet extremely powerful D/A converter that sets new standards for what you can expect in its price range.

Pure digital magic – developed in the United Kingdom

Qutest is built on the same award-winning digital technology that Chord uses in their high-end Hugo TT 2 and Dave. At the heart of the unit is the advanced FPGA-based conversion technology developed by legendary digital engineer Rob Watts. Instead of using standard chips, Chord builds its own solutions from the ground up – and you can hear it.

The result is an extremely natural, dynamic, and transparent presentation that gives the music outstanding depth and realism.

Design and build quality – uncompromising British craftsmanship

Qutest is made in a solid aluminum chassis, CNC-milled in the United Kingdom. Its compact form factor makes it easy to place discreetly in any high-end setup without compromising on design or durability.

The intuitive interface with Chord’s distinctive spherical illuminated buttons provides easy access to filters and settings – without the need for external software or complex menus.

Advanced connections and user settings

• Digital input: 2 x BNC (coaxial), 1 x optical TOSLink, 1 x galvanically isolated USB-B

• Analog output: Stereo RCA (variable or fixed)

• Four digital filters allow you to fine-tune the sound to your taste

• Three gain levels for optimal integration with preamplifiers and active speakers

Whether you stream, use a CD player, or a PC, Qutest ensures perfect reproduction of your digital sources.

The listening experience – uncompromising realism

Qutest delivers extremely low noise and incredibly precise timing. The level of detail is astonishing – you hear micro-nuances in recordings that would normally be lost. The music is presented with unusual clarity, rhythmic precision, and a holographic soundstage that draws you directly into the recording.

If you are looking for a DAC that not only delivers technical precision, but also musical soul, then the Chord Qutest is an obvious choice.

Specifications:

• DAC technology: FPGA (Xilinx Artix 7) with Rob Watts WTA filter

• Sampling rate: Up to 768kHz PCM / DSD512 (via USB)

• Output level: 1V, 2V, or 3V RMS (selectable)

• Power supply: External 5V via included PSU

• Dimensions: 41 x 160 x 72 mm

• Weight: 770 g