-Chord Electronics Qutest Digital to Analogue Convertor Black (Open Box)

The new Chord Electronics Qutest compact Digital to Analogue Convertor (DAC) is a highly accomplished device that has been based on the latest proprietary Rob Watts’ FPGA technology previously used within the Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC/Headphone Amplifier. An elegant precision-machined aluminium chassis houses a wide range of impressive new features and technologies that have been included to make your listening experience even better than was previously possible.

Using the same internal DAC architecture and proprietary software coding as the Hugo 2, the Qutest DAC provides proven class-leading technical and sonic performance. The Qutest also offers unique frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls, available via two fascia-mounted spheres. These facia controls allow the Qutest to offer greater flexibility over control of the device. Though it shares much of the same architecture, and even improves upon some of the features within the Hugo 2, the Qutest DAC comes in at a significantly lower price-point due to the fact that it removes the headphone amplifier, lithium-ion batteries, and cross-feed functionality.

The latest evolution of Chord Electronics’ affordable DAC, the Qutest directly replaces the 2Qute, offering all of the benefits of Chord Electronics’ acclaimed proprietary hardware and software technologies and making them available to a wide range of connected devices. Featuring a galvanically isolated USB-B, optical and dual coaxial digital inputs, the Qutest will provide an instant upgrade to everyday audio devices, along with the ability to modernise any older digital source components. The Qutest implements RCA analogue outputs to allow for the connection of integrated amplifiers, pre-amps, and headphones amps. The high-resolution 768kHz-capable dual-data digital inputs included will allow you to connect to Chord Electronics devices, including the 705/768kHz-ready M-Scaler-technology BLU MKII digital/CD transport.

The Qutest is ready for the future of audio! Designed for static use within home audio and desktop hi-fi systems, the Qutest benefits from 5V Micro USB powering which offers improvements in flexibility when compared to its predecessor. The Qutest offers support for up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via the isolated USB-B input, 24-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD128 via coaxial (BNC) and 24-bit/192kHz data on Optical TOSLink. Support is also provided for DSD 64 to DSD 256 via DoP, and ASIO native DSD format is supported up to 512.

The galvanically isolated Class 2 USB input featured on the Qutest has been included due to the fact that it is more of a home-system orientated device. To achieve this isolation, Chord Electronics have used an unusual method that allows for very high data rates of up to 768kHz. The input is driverless on Apple and Android devices, with driver for Windows devices also available (ASIO included).

The aluminium casework used in the construction of the Qutest has a significantly greater mass than that of its predecessor. The chassis has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet. The Qutest then rests within a shallow cavity in this chassis, thus providing better protection of the circuit board and adding even more isolation from external vibrations.

The new design of the Qutest boasts a square-edge chassis, created by owner and Chief Designer John Franks. This design retains the circular magnifying window that has become popular within Chord Electronics’ devices, allowing you to see the custom circuit board encased within. The control spheres included are used to offer user-selectable frequency-shaping and input selection, and will illuminate with handy colour-coded information that will denote the sample frequency and filters in use (the brightness of this illumination can be user-adjusted). Another new feature is the user-selectable output voltage; this voltage is available in 1, 2, and 3V RMS outputs for flexible connectivity with partnering devices.

The Qutest features all of the latest FPGA and advanced WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters, allowing this intuitive DAC to bring a wide variety of performance improvements in a number of areas. Gains have been made over timing accuracy, noise reduction, dynamic range, and tap depth – the technical indicator of how complex the interpolation filter is – has more than doubled to 49,152, when compared alongside its predecessor.

The four-function switch filter included in the Qutest is operated by its own control sphere and offers a useful degree of user-selectable frequency-shaping. This will bring warm and soft, or transparent and incisive presentations, and will allow the Qutest DAC to provide even greater flexibility in and user control.

• Support for 24-bit/384kHz PCM, DSD128 via coaxial (BNC), 24-bit/192kHz data on Optical TOSLink
• Features all of the latest FPGA and advanced WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters
• Support for up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via the isolated USB-B input
• Shares the architecture and improves upon technologies found in the Hugo 2
• Designed for static use within home audio and desktop hi-fi systems
• User-selectable output voltage available in 1, 2, and 3V RMS outputs
• Compact Digital to Analogue Convertor (DAC)
• Support for ASIO native DSD format up to 512
• Support for DSD 64 to DSD 256 via DoP
• Galvanically isolated Class 2 USB input
• Benefits from 5V Micro USB powering
• New style aluminium casing