Build Quality
I have always been a fan of the design language of Chord’s products. I know, not everyone finds them appealing, but I really like the colour coded control system and of course the glass window on top of the Hugo2 and Qutest. Peeking at the FPGA and PCB is something I find myself doing regularly. I’m a techy at heart and nerding out on such things might cause weird looks from others, but I don’t care.
The Qutest is impeccably finished, with rounded off corners so you won’t cut yourself when you touch your DAC. The matte black finish is very nice. On top there’s the product name etched into the chassis, the glass window and the company logo in the top right corner.
Chord Electronics Qutest
On the back side all connections can be found, all of which are clearly named. From right to left we find a micro USB power input, gold-plated RCA analogue outputs, an Optical input, two BNC Coaxial inputs and a USB B input. On the front there is only the naming for the control balls. The left ball controls the filter settings while the right takes care of input selection.
Control
I’ll say it right at the start, there is one thing I have been missing – an on/off switch. It says so in the manual*, Qutest is designed to be running at all times, as there is no way to turn it off other than disconnecting it from the mains. This really surprised me to be honest.
* “Qutest is supplied with an external power supply and has been designed to be permanently connected to a power source.”
Two control balls let you switch inputs and filter settings. Four different filters are available: Incisive neutral (white), Incisive neutral HF roll-off (green), Warm (orange) and Warm HF roll-off (red). Each filter has its own sound and can be chosen according to your preference. Personally I like my DACs to be clean and clear, as I do the colouring on a later stage with tube amplifiers. So I have been staying on the White filter for almost my entire review time.
The inputs are also colour-coded. A white light marks the HD USB B input, yellow is what you have to chose when you want to use Coax 1, orange corresponds to Coax 2 and green is the colour of the Optical input.
Chord Electronics Qutest
Chord loves using different colours for their control/feedback system. We are used to the switching LED to show different sample rates from their Hugo and Mojo. So it’s no surprise Chord uses the same colour-coded indications for the Qutest again.
When you use both control buttons/balls at the same time you can dim the LEDs if you find them too bright. For this you have to wait until the Qutest is fully up and running. When you start Qutest and you push both buttons simultaneously you can set the output Voltage. This again of course is with coloured feedback. Orange sets it to 1V, green to 2V and a blue will set it to 3 Volts. Qutest remembers your settings, so you don’t have to hurry each time you start it.
Personally I find the control system of Chord’s products rather easy to remember, though I know not everyone feels the same.
The full manual of Qutest can be found here
It goes on with Sound on Page 3
Chris K
Chord products are insanely overpriced and overhyped. Build quality has always been sub-par too.
Linus
Hi Chris,
thanks for your comment.
While I don’t agree with you, everyone’s entitled to his/her opinion and I completely respect yours.
As you can read in the review, I feel different than you on this. I have seen a few high-priced electronics and must say, the Qutest (to me) is of great build quality, can’t say that about others I have encountered in my non-Headfonia-life. Also I liked the sound of it, a lot.
Anyways, enjoy your weekend.
Milvin T Torrevillas
A good complete review of this product, although I must agree to it being overpriced. But, through this linus review of the Qutest, I am somewhat intrigued and excited to see what this DAC can really bring to the table, for recording and audiophile purposes left open for this sole purpose. Excellent review linus and Chord Electronic bravo! For continuing to push the technological and artistic envelope for random glimpses of what’s to come.
Charley C
Hi Linus. GREAT review! The Qutest is on my short-list to upgrade my Oppo Sonica DAC in my home office. My only concern is, I go straight from my Oppo DAC (has volume control) to my amplifier, so I would need some preamp/volume control in-between the Qutest and my amp. I’m not too excited about having to introduce a pre-amp into the audio chain (adding noise). My setup is an iMac OS X running Roon, to my Oppo DAC to my amp (Crown XLS1502) to SVS Ultra Bookshelves. Also, going from Oppo DAC to an SVS SB-2000 subwoofer. Any thoughts/suggestions on the best way to replace my Oppo DAC with the Qutest? Thanks !!
Linus
Hi Charley,
thank you so much for your comment.
I assume you have a power amplifier, right?
If that’s the case you will need an additional pre-amplifier to use volume control with Qutest, as it is a standalone DAC. I think there are many good choices out there for each budget. If you have a decent HiFi dealer near you it might be best to drop by and see what they can recommend.
Of course you can also just jump to the Hugo2 and put it in desktop mode (needs to be connected to the power outlet for 24hrs). You gain a few additional features with it too.
Charley C
Thanks, Linus. The Hugo 2 is the conclusion I came to, also. Don’t really “need” a portable DAC, but it’s probably the best solution for my needs. The Hugo 2 TT is also about to be released. However, I think the price tag is a little more than I want to invest. Thanks for the reply!
Linus
No problem Charley, happy to help.
The Hugo2 is one of the best products I own, hands down. I also think it would be the logical solution for your situation. The Hugo2 TT certainly is also very interesting, but I can’t comment on it. All I know is that it will be available this Autumn/Fall.
If you can, give Hugo2 a try.
Jin
Hi Linus,
I totally agree with you for the review. I have both H2 and Qutest, the Qutest just arrived a week ago because I just quit the headphone world and go into hifi 2CH. The H2 sound more natural to me, more organic while the Qutest sounds bright. I also prepared an AQ diamond USB cable for the Qutest. When pairing I found the qutest is just too bright, really bright, thought it would sound the same as H2.
Sooo, what’s your opinion about H2 and Dave. I prefer neutral sound, not the bright sound, if I say the Qutest is bright, what you would say about the Dave.
Thanks!
Linus
Hi Jin,
thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
How I wish I could chime in on the Dave. Haven’t had many chances to listen to it yet, and I am strongly against listening impressions from shows with gear I am not familiar with… Hope you’ll understand.
Cheers,
L
Shahriman
Better than my Chord MOJO and iFi NANO iDSD. But not better than many good desktop R2R DACs.
Linus
Hi Shahriman,
thanks for your comment.
R2R DACs are indeed very nice, I’m glad you have your personal favourite. I wish more manufacturers wouldn’t go the “lazy” way and do some special designs, just like Chord with their unique FPGA coded DACs. R2R, discreet and non oversampling DACs should be more highlighted in this industry in my opinion. I guess they faded away when people started craving numbers instead of sound…
Lindsay
Thought I’d drop a note here…. after several years of searching for a DAC to mate to my Pioneer Elite PD-75 CD player followed by Sugden AU41 pre-amp & AU41 Amp hooked up to Paradigm Studio Monitor speakers. I settled for the Chord Qutest as I was very impressed with its build and sound. I purchased it as an early Christmas present for myself and have had it setup for 10 days burning in. At first I noticed the detail and enhanced the soundstage and warmth. In the last couple days I’ve notice fuller bass Exhibiting benefits of ongoing burn-in time. This was a huge upgrade coming from a 1 bit DAC built into the PD-75. I am sincerely enjoying the digital side of my equipment now.
gareth
I’m currently enjoying mine after reading your review and a few others. But I have to say the Hugo 2 has a great sound but as others have said the build quality really wasn’t where it should of been for the price, at least the demo unit that borrowed wasn’t. Split line didn’t meet up ( could see the lights through the seam line) buttons rattled about, and the roller volume felt like a messy roller mouse from the 90/00 ( could actually see this posing a real problem in few years for a lot people). Certainly not what I would expect for the price. As I say though sounded great.
However the Qutest has none of these problems and sounds great through a class A Sugden with Klipsch Heritage Heresy 3.
Harry
Not so many listeners can’t or won’t pay that much for a DAC. If every DAC would play even near like that, the music would be different. I have the Qutest together with the much more expensive M-Scaler, and the play great together. I tested some ohters lower price solution, but none of them was satisfying. Now I hope both tools will play the next 20 years.
Brian
Thank you Linus for comprehensive review of Chord Qutest.
On my wish list for desktop solution component.
Read elsewhere on internet that Qutest is available in silver finish as well as black.
Think person who said it’s available in sliver finish is misinformed.