Chord Qutest DAC

Award Winning 'Pure' DAC

Qutest is the latest 'pure' DAC from Chord Electronics. It does not contain headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries like some of Chord's other products, hence the 'pure' DAC specification. Qutest is designed to improve sound quality in the home. It is the latest evolution of Chord's most affordable standalone DAC, the multi-award-winning 2Qute, which it directly replaces.

Qutest, which is a What Hi-Fi? magazine Star of CES 2018, is based on Chord's award-winning proprietary FPGA technology developed for the class-leading Hugo 2 DAC/headphone amp, giving it proven class-leading technical and sonic performance. Perfectly equipped to bring the benefits of Chord digital technology to a wide range of connected devices, Qutest features a galvanically isolated USB-B, optical and coaxial digital input, giving an instant performance upgrade, plus the ability to modernize aging digital source components.

All-New Chassis

The Qutest chassis is all-new, too. It has significantly greater mass than its predecessor and has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminum billet. The Qutest PCB nestles within a shallow cavity in the solid aluminum chassis, giving the circuit board greater protection within the casework and additional isolation from external vibration compared to previous designs.

Frequency-Shaping Filters and Input Selection Controls

Qutest offers Hugo 2's proprietary user-selectable frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls, available via two fascia-mounted spheres, introducing useful flexibility. It also features RCA analog outputs for connection to integrated amplifiers, preamps and headphone amps, plus high-resolution dual-data digital inputs for connection to future Chord Electronics products.

A further new feature is a user-selectable output voltage available in 1, 2 and 3V RMS outputs for flexible connectivity with a wide range of partnering devices.

Four Selectable Filter Options

By cycling through the four filter options, it is possible to subtly change the device's tonal characteristics. Qutest achieves this not by strictly applying an equalization curve, but by changing the way in which the FPGA handles the data.

The Incisive Neutral Filter is designed for all who wish to hear the full spectrum of audio no matter what sample rate. This option has an ultra linear frequency response. For the technically minded this includes a 16FS to 256FS WTA2 filter.

The Incisive Neutral HF Roll-Off Filter is designed for purists in mind, who playback high sample rate PCM recordings. This option has an ultra linear frequency response with a high frequency filter past 20kHz to remove HF distortion and noise from these recordings. This includes a 16FS to 256FS WTA2 filter with the HF filter enabled.

Designed to introduce a little warmth to recordings, the Warm Filter will satisfy. This is a 16FS WTA1 filter only.

The Warm HF Roll-Off Filter introduces a little warmth to recordings. This filter will satisfy and is ideal for high resolution PCM playback. This is a 16FS filter but with a high- frequency roll-off.

Four Selectable Digital Input Options

With four selectable digital input options, Qutest is a standalone DAC that acts as a digital hub to allow audio components to be instantly upgraded. Many hi-fi and audio components can benefit, including CD transports and players, streamers, computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones, plus most audio devices with a suitable digital output.

The HD Type-B USB Input allows up to 768kHz and DSD 512 native playback. DSD 64 - DSD 256 via DoP, native DSD via ASIO.

The Coax 1 Input provides up to 384kHz and up to DSD 128 (via DoP). The Coax 2 Input offers up to 384kHz and up to DSD 128. The Optical Input allows up to 192kHz and DSD 64 (via DoP)

Product Features

Device Power Supply: 5v 2amp Micro USB
Connectivity (input): USB Type B (White): 44.1kHz – 768kHz – 16bit – 32bit
2x BNC Coax (Red): 44.1kHz – 768kHz – 16bit – 32bit
Optical (Green): 44.1kHz – 192kHz – 16bit – 24bit
Connectivity (output): 1x stereo pair of RCA (Left and Right)
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)
Variable output: Fixed, but selectable between 3v (blue), 2v (green), and 1v (red) via dual press of 'Filter' + 'Input' upon startup
Output stage: Class A
Driver support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS
Chipset: Chord Electronics custom coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA
Materials: Precision machined aluminum casing with polycarbonate buttons and glass viewing portal
Finish: Available in black
Digital designer: Rob Watts
Mechanical Designer: John Franks
Country of manufacture: England

Product Specs

Tap-length: 49,152
Pulse array: 10 element pulse array design
Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
THD: <0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω
THD and noise at 3v RMS: 117dB at 1kHz 300ohms 'A' wighted (reference 2.5v)
Noise 2.6 uV 'A' weighted: No measurable noise floor modulation
Channel separation: 138dB at 1kHz 300Ω
Dimensions: 1.6" (H) x 6.3" (W) x 2.8" (D)
Weight: 1.7 lbs.

Product Warranty

3 Years

Parts & Labor

Chord Electronics Warranty Information

Best DAC of 2021 Award – What Hi-Fi? Magazine

"Pound for pound the best DAC on the market right now."

"Chord continues to light up the premium market for DACs and the Qutest is the proof. It's the product that lesser rivals look up to at this price point. The DAC delivers a crisp, clean and concise sound, with Chord's now familiar neutral tonal balance."

- What Hi-Fi?, February 2021

"The Qutest gives the listener a clearer window into recordings, perhaps better than you may have ever heard before. I would love to listen to it with the M Scaler. Some tell me that it's an impossibly good upgrade, transforming the pair into reference grade sound equipment."

"There is no doubt in my mind that this is a DAC with serious performance and for a very reasonable price. The more I think about it, I can't put forward a suggestion of a better DAC for the money, so I'll put my money where my mouth is and purchase this review sample."

"While Chord Electronics' DAC range is exceptional with real performance to be enjoyed at each price point, the Qutest is, without doubt, the bargain to be had in its lineup."

- Mark Gusew, StereoNET Australia, July 4, 2019

2022 Editors’ Choice Award - The Absolute Sound

"If you have a basic but flagship-level DAC that is more than ten years old, and you have been thinking about modernizing I would strongly recommend trying the Qutest before you replace your DAC with something with an additional zero at the end of its price tag. The Qutest qualifies as a solid piece of engineering at a reasonable price that delivers digital music with power and finesse. What’s not to like?"

- Steven Stone, The Absolute Sound, April 26, 2019

2022 Recommended Components - Stereophile

"...sounds simply superb," raves John Atkinson in his January 2019 Stereophile review. He goes on to say that the Chord Qutest DAC, "...can be strongly recommended."

- John Atkinson, Stereophile, January 2019

"Gosh, what is there not to like about the Qutest as a pure DAC? Whilst not a total carbon copy of the Hugo 2’s DAC signature it still resolutely detailed and fantastically natural sounding with just about any amp I can throw at it."

- Marcus, Headfonics, October 24, 2018

"Chord has managed to do it again. The Qutest sets a new benchmark at this price."

- What Hi-Fi?, October 08, 2018