Qutest DAC - Open Box

The Chord Qutest is the latest update to the award-winning 2Qute. It offers class-leading digital conversion and performance. The Qutest is an audiophile-grade standalone DAC, and does not feature a headphone amplifier or rechargeable batteries like the portable-oriented Hugo 2. It's one of our best DACs at Moon Audio and a top seller every year.

It's hard to argue with the sound quality of anything from Chord Electronics, let alone something that is modeled after the Hugo 2. Chord products in general have some of the best detailing and clarity in the business, and the Qutest is no different. It's based on the proprietary FPGS technology developed for the Hugo 2 and contains 49,152 taps for those interested.

Quiet is what we noticed comparing the Qutest DAC to Chord's 2Qute. Chord's latest DAC makes your music's background dead quiet. No way was the 2Qute "noisy", but something about Chord's latest DAC makes the sonic background sound drop off a cliff and disappear. Chord's Qutest DAC sound offers more resolution, detail, and clarity without becoming analytical or sharp. Tap count increases from 26k to almost fifty, so almost double the 2Qute DAC's resolution capability.

The Qutest improves on the 2Qute in every way possible. Paired with the Chord Anni amplifier and the Chord Huey phono stage for turntable integration, and you have a full hi-Fi system that fits neatly on your desk or shelf without taking up hardly any room. It's hard to beat the Chord sound and the quality of their products, and we're big fans of the form factor, especially for those where real estate is a concern. You're not missing out on quality sound here despite the Qutest's size, and it's another home run for Chord and their DACs. It's no wonder the Qutest is our best-selling DAC to date.

The Chord Electronics Qutest has a tremendous soundstage for its size, and provides a high-end sound that will pair well with any system. Vocals have presence, Instruments have space, and the specs like tap length, and frequency response just don’t do it justice. You have to hear it to believe it.

Dragon Cable Recommendation: The Silver Dragon USB Cable is our best-selling cable at Moon Audio and the perfect companion for the Qutest DAC. The Silver Dragon USB transfers digital audio from a computer or portable device such as a Phone, Tablet, or DAP (digital audio Player) to a USB-capable DAC. The Silver Dragon Interconnect is another great option depending on your existing setup.

The Next Generation of Pure DACs

The Qutest is a "pure" DAC, in that it does not contain a headphone amplifier or rechargeable batteries like other portable DACs on the market. It is designed to improve the sound quality of your home desktop audio system. The Qutest replaces the multi-award-winning 2Qute DAC and is the latest evolution of Chord's most affordable standalone DAC.

The Qutest is based on Chord's award-winning proprietary FPGA technology originally developed for the class-leading Hugo 2 DAC and headphone amplifier. The Qutest features a galvanically isolated USB-B, optical and coaxial inputs, giving great performance for multiple connections and modernizing the source components for the digital age.

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.

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.

The Power of Upscaling with the Chord M Scaler

To upgrade your Chord Qutest to the next level, we recommend adding the Chord Hugo M Scaler. Using technology first seen in the flagship BLU MKII digital/CD transport, the Hugo M Scaler is a standalone upscaling device containing the world’s most advanced digital filter. When used with a dual-BNC-input Chord Electronics DAC, it is capable of redefining digital audio sound quality.

The Hugo M Scaler is a highly advanced standalone upscaler capable of redefining sound quality from digital audio. It uses Rob Watts’ unique filter technology, the most advanced in the world, to upscale standard 44.1kHz digital audio up to 705.6kHz (16x CD’s 44.1kHz native resolution), ready to be passed to a suitable DAC; Hugo M Scaler extends its upscaling performance to 768kHz (from 96kHz input data) for Chord's dual-BNC-input DACs: DAVE, Qutest and the Hugo TT 2. The Hugo M Scaler brings the unrivaled advantages of our ground-breaking FPGA-based WTA (Watts Transient Alignment) filtering technology to digitally connected audio devices, dramatically improving sound quality. Although optimized for use with selected Chord Electronics DACs (for the maximum 768kHz upscaling/decoding benefit), the Hugo M Scaler can be used with other DACs with suitable inputs, subject to their decoding capability.

The Hugo M Scaler’s compact form factor aligns with the TT (Table Top) series and has been designed to be stackable with other units in the range, including the TToby stereo power amp and the Hugo TT 2, to form a highly advanced yet space-saving system. In line with other models in the Hugo and Hugo TT series, the device features a number of illuminable fascia-mounted spherical controls, governing input selection, output sample rate, and video mode for lower latency. The control spheres display data visually including the input source and the incoming sample rate, using a polychromatic scale. When partnered with either of Chord Electronics’ 768kHz-capable dual-BNC-input DACs, the Hugo M Scaler sets an astonishing technical benchmark for digital audio performance at its price point, redefining sound quality from digital audio.

FAQ

Does the Chord Qutest have any headphone out/pre outs?

No, the Chord is a DAC only and has no volume control but it does have different voltages used for the line level outputs. The 3 options are: (red) 1V RMS, (green) 2V RMS, (blue) 3V RMS. To cycle the options hold down both the filter and input for 15 seconds. Press both buttons simultaneously to cycle through the options.

Does the Qutest support MQA hardware decoding?

The Qutest like all other Chord DACs does not support MQA.

Does the Qutest support DSD?

Yes! The Qutest supports native DSD up to DSD512

Is the Qutest compatible with the Mscaler?

The Mscaler works very well with all Chord DACs including the Chord Qutest. We recommend getting two of our Silver Dragon Digital COAX cables with BNC connectors on each end for the best listening experience.

Key Features

Chord Custom FPGA DAC

4x Selectable Filters

Selectable Output Voltage

768kHz USB Type B Input

192kHz Optical Input

USB Galvanic Isolation

2x 384kHz BNC Coax Input

1x Stereo RCA Outputs

Supports up to 768kHz PCM

Native DSD 512 (8x) Capable

Solid Aluminium Chassis

What's in the box?

• 1.5m 5v 2a Switching Micro USB Power Supply
• 2m Type A to Type B USB Cable
• Qutest Owners Overview Manual
• Raw Silk Drawstring Bag