Chord Electronics Qtest

Chord Electronics Qutest – DAC in absolute world class

At Lydspecialisten, we never compromise on sound quality. That's why we're proud to present 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 UK

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. Rather than using off-the-shelf chips, Chord builds their own solutions from scratch – and you can hear it.

The result is an extremely natural, dynamic and transparent reproduction that provides unparalleled depth and realism in the music.

Design and build quality – uncompromising British craftsmanship

Qutest is made from a solid aluminium enclosure, CNC milled in the UK. The 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 signature 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 preamps and active speakers

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

The audio 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 normally disappear. The music is presented with exceptional clarity, rhythmic precision and a holographic soundstage that draws you right 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: 770g