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Chord Electronics Qutest
The Qutest DAC is designed to improve system sound quality, instantly. It is the latest evolution of our most affordable ‘standalone’ DAC, in other words, one that does not contain a built-in headphone amplifier, like the Mojo 2 and Hugo 2.
The Qutest is What Hi-Fi?’s ‘Best DAC’ 2023 £1,000+ and a What Hi-Fi? ‘Best DAC’ winner every year its inception (2018-2022). It is a proven class-leader and is based on our award-winning proprietary FPGA technology giving it unrivalled technical and sonic performance.
Perfectly equipped to bring the benefits our digital technology to a wide range of connected devices, it features a galvanically isolated USB-B, optical and coaxial digital input, giving an instant performance upgrade, plus the ability to modernise ageing digital source components.
The Qutest chassis is all-new, too. It has significantly greater mass than its predecessor and has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet. The Qutest PCB nestles within a shallow cavity in the solid aluminium chassis, giving the circuit board greater protection within the casework and additional isolation from external vibration compared to previous designs.
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 analogue 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.
The What Hi-Fi? ‘Best DAC’ 2023/24 Qutest is the definitive small audiophile DA convertor.
‘Plays with Audirvāna’ hardware products are certified to play music from Audirvāna software over USB or network with the best level of integration and audio performance.
Materials: Precision machined aluminium casing with polycarbonate buttons and glass viewing portal. Available only in Jett Black.
Device power supply: 5v 2amp Micro USB
Tap length filter: 49,152 – 10 element Pulse Array design
Connectivity (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
Connectivity (output): 1x stereo pair of RCA (Left and Right)
PCM support: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz. 16 – 32bit
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
Driver support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS
Digital designer: Rob Watts
Mechanical designer: John Franks
Country of manufacture: England
Key Features
Chord Custom FPGA DAC
49,152 Taps
4x Selectable Filters
Selectable Output Voltage
768kHz USB Type B Input
96kHz Optical Input
USB Galvanic Isolation
2x 384kHz BNC Coax Input
1x 768kHz Dual Data Mode Input
1x Stereo RCA Outputs
Supports up to 768kHz PCM
Native DSD 512 (8x) Capable
Solid Aluminium Chassis
Roon tested
Included Accessories
Qutest user manual
Safety instructions
Drawstring bag
5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply
Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable
WATT RECOMMENDS
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Professional Reviews 92/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Connectivity
89/100
Value for Money
94/100
Fast, clean and highly resolving, the Qutest turns recordings into a sharper, more spacious view of the music. Mark Gusew and Terry Ellis praise its timing, imaging and organic flow, while its compact billet-aluminium build and filter options make it a compelling standalone DAC for serious systems.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Exceptional timing, clarity and imaging, with strong separation and a spacious, precise soundstage.
Resolves fine detail well without becoming harsh, keeping music engaging and musical.
Compact, solidly built chassis with flexible filter settings and selectable output voltage.
&
Cons
No balanced outputs or headphone stage, limiting flexibility versus some rivals.
Some reviewers wanted a remote control for easier input and filter changes.
One review noted a slightly thin or etched midrange straight out of the box before burn-in.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers consistently describe the Qutest as highly engaging, natural, and musically involving, with several saying it pulls them into the music for long sessions. They also note a clean, smooth presentation that can sound either incisive or warmer depending on filter choice, without losing musicality.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
93/100
Reviewers call the presentation comfortable, relaxed, organic, and seductive rather than fatiguing. One notes that the Qutest can be a touch lean but in a good way, while others praise its smoothness, richness, and ability to stay musical even in incisive mode.
Resolution and Detail
94/100
Detail retrieval is a major strength in the reviews, with repeated references to clarity, pinpoint placement, subtle spacing, reverb tails, and the ability to dig out information from familiar tracks. Several writers say it presents a clearer window into recordings and reveals layers in complex material without sounding clinical.
Digital Performance
92/100
Reviewers praise the Qutest for timing accuracy, low glare, and a presentation that avoids harshness and digital roughness. The comments about precise attack and decay, strong transient control, and an absence of splashiness support a very clean, well-controlled digital performance.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
The Qutest is repeatedly described as dense, solid, and precision machined from a billet of aluminium, with a vibration-resistant case and protected internal board layout. Reviewers clearly like the feel and construction, though they say less about long-term serviceability or internal parts than about the strong first impression.
Features Connectivity
89/100
Connectivity is strong for a standalone DAC: USB-B, dual BNC coax, optical input, selectable output voltage, filter choices, galvanic isolation, and support for PCM up to 32/768 and DSD512 via USB. The omissions are also clear in the reviews: no balanced outputs, no headphone stage, and no remote control.
Value for Money
94/100
Reviewers repeatedly frame the Qutest as excellent value in the $1,500 to $2,000 class, calling it a bargain in Chord’s range and hard to beat for the money. Several compare it favorably against pricier alternatives and say it delivers performance that feels well worth the asking price.
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Authorized dealers for Chord Electronics Qutest
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- 110Hz — online and in-store — Kielce, Województwo świętokrzyskie, Poland (website)
- Accent On Music — in-store — Mount Kisco, New York, United States (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Streams — in-store — Lower Drift, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Ajasom — in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
and 200 more verified dealers