{"product_id":"chord-qutest","title":"Chord Qutest","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDesktop DAC without a headphone amplifier\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eChord Qutest is a «standalone» desktop digital-to-analogue converter, meaning it has no headphone amplifier, unlike the Mojo 2 and Hugo 2. It sits between digital sources and the system with USB-B, coaxial and optical inputs and a stereo RCA output. It measures 160 × 88 × 45 mm and weighs 770 g.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eConversion is built around a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA coded by Chord Electronics, with a 49,152-tap filter and a Class A output stage. The digital design is by Rob Watts, the mechanical design by John Franks, and the unit is made in England. The manufacturer recalls the What Hi-Fi? «Best DAC» awards won by the Qutest every year from 2018 to 2022 and again in 2023.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eInputs, outputs and formats\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe galvanically isolated USB Type-B input accepts PCM up to 768 kHz at 32 bit; the two BNC coaxial inputs reach 384 kHz and, used together in dual-data mode, 768 kHz; the optical input stops at 96 kHz and 24 bit. DSD is played natively from DSD64 to DSD512. No drivers are needed with Mac OS X and Linux, while Windows requires one.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe output is a stereo pair of RCA sockets, for connection to integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers or headphone amplifiers. The voltage is fixed but selectable between 1, 2 and 3 V RMS, by pressing the «Filter» and «Input» buttons together at start-up, to suit the partnering equipment. Chord also describes the dual-data inputs as a connection for its future products.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFilters, controls and construction\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTwo spheres on the fascia select the input and one of the four filters that shape the frequency response, taken from the Hugo 2. Each input and each output level is tied to a colour: white for USB, red for the coaxial inputs, green for optical. Power comes from a 5 V 2 A Micro-USB socket, with a power supply included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe chassis is machined from a solid billet of aircraft-grade aluminium and, according to the manufacturer, has significantly greater mass than that of the previous model. The circuit board sits in a shallow cavity in the chassis, which Chord says protects it better and isolates it further from external vibration. The buttons are polycarbonate and a glass porthole shows the inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTechnical data\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eDigital inputs: USB Type-B (44.1 to 768 kHz, 16 to 32 bit); 2 BNC coaxial (44.1 to 384 kHz, 16 to 32 bit); dual data on both BNC (44.1 to 768 kHz); optical (44.1 to 96 kHz, 16 to 24 bit).\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAnalogue output: 1 stereo pair of RCA.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eOutput voltage: 1, 2 or 3 V RMS, selectable.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFormats: PCM from 44.1 to 768 kHz, 16 to 32 bit; native DSD from DSD64 to DSD512.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eConversion: Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA coded by Chord, 49,152 taps, 10-element pulse array.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSelectable filters: 4.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFrequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.2 dB.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eHarmonic distortion: below 0.0001 % (1 kHz, 3 V RMS, 300 Ω).\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eNoise: 2.6 µV (A-weighted).\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eChannel separation: 138 dB at 1 kHz (300 Ω).\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003ePower: Micro-USB, 5 V and 2 A.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 160 × 88 × 45 mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eWeight: 770 g.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFinish: black (Jett Black).\u003c\/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eIncluded: drawstring bag, 5 V 2 A Micro-USB power supply, USB Type-A to USB Type-B cable.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Chord Electronics Ltd.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56543085560152,"sku":"CHOELEQUTEST","price":1499.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0615\/5278\/7645\/files\/Chord-Electronics-QUTEST-RANGE-.016.webp?v=1768492498","url":"https:\/\/videosell.it\/en\/products\/chord-qutest","provider":"Videosell store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}