Chord Qutest Desktop USB DAC

S$2,399.00 S$1,899.00
Why You Should Get It
  • The Qutest chassis is all-new,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.
  • Qutest's control spheres (for user-selectable filters and input) illuminate with useful colour-coding information denoting sample frequency and filter used and the brightness settings are user-adjustable.
  • Inputs include: one Optical TOSLink 24-bit/192kHz-capable, two BNC coaxial input 24-bit/384kHz-capable (with dual data mode up to 768kHz) and one HD galvanically isolated USB-B input 32-bit/768kHz and DSD512-capable. Outputs are one stereo pair of RCA phono outputs adjustable to 1,2 and 3V RMS.
Warranty
3 years warranty (local)
In The Box
  • Chord Qutest
  • Qutest user manual
  • Safety instructions
  • Drawstring bag
  • 5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply
  • Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable

Qutest is a standalone DAC whose performance belies its compact dimensions. With DAC architecture based on the award-winning Hugo 2, Qutest offers class-leading digital conversion.

Qutest is our ‘pure’ DAC (it does not contain headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries like some of its range stablemates) and is designed to improve sound quality in the home. It is the latest evolution of our most affordable standalone DAC, the multi-award-winning 2Qute, which it directly replaces.

Qutest, which is a What Hi-Fi? Star of CES 2018,  is based on our 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 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.

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, 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

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
Product Availability Available (current model)
Product Type DAC (Digital-Analog Converter)
Style/Type Desktop
Features roon ready
Connectivity Fully Wired
DAC Chord Custom FPGA
Bluetooth Codecs - N.A. -
Sampling / Bitrate Up to 32bit/768kHz, DSD512
Frequency Response (Hz) 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) Less than 0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω
Voice Assistants - None -
Streaming Services Roon
Microphone None
Input Connectivity Options USB Type-B (USB-B)[Data/Audio Signal], Coaxial (SPDIF), Optical TOSLINK (SPDIF)
Output Connectivity Options RCA (Line-Out)
Colour Black
Product Dimensions 4.5cm (H) 16cm (W) 8.8cm (D)
Product Weight (g) 770g
Warranty 3 years warranty (local)
Package Contents
  • Chord Qutest
  • Qutest user manual
  • Safety instructions
  • Drawstring bag
  • 5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply
  • Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable

If you're based in Singapore

  • spend $300 or more for free doorstep courier delivery.
  • add a few more bucks, for even quicker prioritised delivery.
  • self-collection is possible at our Showroom, based in Tai Seng. Find out where, and how to get to us here.
  • and yes, you may arrange your own 3rd party logistics to pickup your purchases on your behalf.
    Grab, Lalamove, GoGoX services are welcome.

 


 

Friends from Overseas, 

  • we do ship internationally.
  • shipping fees will be displayed during checkout.
  • do be aware of import tax/VAT that may apply.

 

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Qutest is a standalone DAC whose performance belies its compact dimensions. With DAC architecture based on the award-winning Hugo 2, Qutest offers class-leading digital conversion.

Qutest is our ‘pure’ DAC (it does not contain headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries like some of its range stablemates) and is designed to improve sound quality in the home. It is the latest evolution of our most affordable standalone DAC, the multi-award-winning 2Qute, which it directly replaces.

Qutest, which is a What Hi-Fi? Star of CES 2018,  is based on our 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 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.

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, 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

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
Product Availability Available (current model)
Product Type DAC (Digital-Analog Converter)
Style/Type Desktop
Features roon ready
Connectivity Fully Wired
DAC Chord Custom FPGA
Bluetooth Codecs - N.A. -
Sampling / Bitrate Up to 32bit/768kHz, DSD512
Frequency Response (Hz) 20Hz – 20kHz +/- 0.2dB
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) Less than 0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω
Voice Assistants - None -
Streaming Services Roon
Microphone None
Input Connectivity Options USB Type-B (USB-B)[Data/Audio Signal], Coaxial (SPDIF), Optical TOSLINK (SPDIF)
Output Connectivity Options RCA (Line-Out)
Colour Black
Product Dimensions 4.5cm (H) 16cm (W) 8.8cm (D)
Product Weight (g) 770g
Warranty 3 years warranty (local)
Package Contents
  • Chord Qutest
  • Qutest user manual
  • Safety instructions
  • Drawstring bag
  • 5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply
  • Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable

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Chord Qutest Desktop USB DAC
3 years warranty (local)
S$2,399.00 S$1,899.00
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