Chord - Qutest

Desktop DAC

Sale price₹ 139,990
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DELIVERY
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What does "ships within 24/48 hours" mean?

In a nutshell, ships within 24/48 hours basically means that your product will be shipped out or dispatched from our warehouse within 24/48 hours after placing the order. It also indicates that the products are readily available at our warehouse and once we receive your order, we dispatch it out at the earliest either on the same day or the next working day depending on when you’ve placed your order.


What it does not mean:

A lot of our customers assume that it means their order will get delivered to them within 24/48 hours, but that’s not what it means. For an order to reach you, it can take anywhere up to 3-4 business days, depending on which part of India you are placing an order from.

For an accurate timeline, you can enter your pin code on the product page and check for an estimated date of arrival.

Delivery By:

7 Day Replacement Guarantee

In case you receive the Chord - Qutest with a manufacturing defect, please raise a return request within 7 days of delivery.

However, if you receive an incorrect / damaged / different product or one with missing accessories, please raise a return request within 24 hours of delivery. In case you receive a product with a missing, incorrect, or faulty accessory, you will be given a replacement accessory instead of the entire product.

Please make sure that the product is in the original packaging with all the accessories it came with. We'll also need an unboxing video and images of the parcel to investigate about the discrepancy. You may be asked to share images of the product and the packaging received for us to determine the damage or defect prior to approving the return request. The free replacement will be shipped only once the original order is returned.

A replacement will be issued only if:

- It is found to be defective
- It is determined that the product was not damaged while in your possession
- The product is not different from what was shipped to you
- The product is returned in original condition (with brand’s/manufacturer's box, MRP tag intact, user manual, warranty card and all the accessories therein)

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Warranty & Services

Don't sweat it, this Chord - Qutest comes with a 3 Year warranty from Chord Electronics that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Chord Electronics's warranty in India.

Club Audiophile

Join Club Audiophile to begin your pursuit of great sound. Earn points and save on every purchase.

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Why Chord is Special

🇬🇧

Designed in UK

Established & Reputed

Trust us, our reputation speaks for itself 🏆!


I believe that when a brand has decades of proven excellence, you can invest with confidence knowing your purchase is backed by years of audio engineering expertise. These products come from manufacturers with extensive histories of innovation and unwavering commitment to sonic excellence. Think of them like luxury watch brands - their reputation has been earned through decades of consistent quality and innovation.


With their extensive history of innovation and countless satisfied customers worldwide, you can be confident your investment is backed by proven audio engineering expertise and industry leadership 📈.


When you see "🎖️ Established & Reputed" products, expect time-tested excellence from manufacturers who've consistently demonstrated mastery in audio engineering for generations.

Revered by Audiophiles

Audiophiles can be really picky 😤, and if the audiophile community says something sounds good, you can bet it's exceptional! I believe that earning audiophile reverence is like getting a standing ovation from music critics - it doesn't happen unless you've truly achieved something special. This audio gear has earned widespread acclaim from audiophiles worldwide, a community renowned for exacting standards and unwavering commitment to high-fidelity reproduction.


These discerning enthusiasts particularly value its extraordinary precision in sound reproduction and remarkable capability to create thoroughly immersive listening experiences. The audiophile community's endorsement carries significant weight because of their extensive experience with high-end equipment 🏆.


When you see "🙌🏻 Revered by Audiophiles" products, expect audiophile-grade excellence that satisfies even the most demanding listeners and consistently exceeds the highest standards.

Specialist

A masterpiece from experts who know audio inside and out 🔧!


I tend to describe specialist manufacturers as "audio artisans" who focus exclusively on perfecting specific categories of equipment. These products are meticulously crafted by dedicated experts who possess deep knowledge of sound reproduction, ensuring every technical aspect is refined to perfection. Think of them like master craftsmen who spend their entire careers perfecting one specific skill - their focused expertise shows in every detail.


These dedicated experts bring years of specialised knowledge to the design process, resulting in products that consistently achieve exceptional performance standards through focused engineering excellence 🎯.


When you see "🌟 Specialist" products, expect focused expertise from manufacturers who dedicate their entire efforts to perfecting specific audio equipment categories.

🦩

Boutique Brand

🐣

Born in 1989

Why we love this DAC/Amp

Premium Economy

Sensible spending meets sophisticated quality in perfect harmony 💫.


I tend to describe premium economy products as finding that sweet spot where exceptional value meets refined performance. Think of it like business class comfort at economy prices - you're getting significantly more than what you paid for. These headphones deliver a refined listening experience that rivals more expensive alternatives, making them an intelligent choice for discerning listeners who appreciate both value and excellence.


This thoughtfully curated selection demonstrates our commitment to bringing you outstanding sound quality and robust construction without requiring a significant financial investment. Each product has been meticulously evaluated to ensure it delivers performance characteristics typically associated with higher price brackets.


When you see "💎 Premium Economy" products, expect refined audio experiences that bridge the gap between entry-level and high-end offerings, delivering impressive clarity and features at accessible price points.


Serious Audiophiles Only

For those who have ventured deep into high-fidelity audio 🎯, the pursuit of sonic excellence becomes an endless journey of discovery and refinement. I believe that serious audiophiles demand equipment that can satisfy the most exacting standards and deliver performance that pushes boundaries. These products represent the pinnacle of acoustic engineering, incorporating advanced technologies and meticulous craftsmanship that enable them to reproduce music with utmost fidelity.


Each product has undergone rigorous evaluation to ensure it delivers exceptional performance that discerning listeners demand, from precise frequency response to impeccable detail retrieval and sophisticated sound staging. These devices incorporate premium components and engineering excellence that justify their position at the apex of audio performance.


When you encounter "🦈 Serious Audiophiles Only" products, expect uncompromising performance that satisfies the most demanding requirements and elevates critical listening to new heights.

Audiophile Community Favourite

When I see a product that keeps coming up in forums, Reddit threads, and community meet-ups, I know it’s earned its place. "Audiophile Community Favourite" is our way of spotlighting the gear that real listeners — not just reviewers — swear by. 🦋


These are products that enjoy a sort of cult following for all the right reasons: consistently great tuning, build, and value. They're the kind of recommendations you'd get from a friend deep in the hobby. If you're the type who likes going with a proven crowd-pleaser, these picks are beloved by thousands of ears.


When you see '🦋 Audiophile Community Favourite' products, expect reliable recommendations backed by passionate users, often refined over years of trust and love from the community.

Our Team's Favourite

Cause after all, we are audiophiles first 🎧!


In my experience, when our entire team gets excited about something, you know it's genuinely exceptional. This audio gear has captured the hearts and minds of our seasoned experts, distinguishing itself as a standout favourite among people who test hundreds of products every year. Think of it like getting a unanimous recommendation from a panel of audio critics - when everyone agrees, you pay attention.


These selections have not only met but exceeded our rigorous standards, earning enthusiastic endorsement from our audio specialists who've tested everything from budget options to flagship models. When you choose these products, you're selecting gear that has been thoroughly vetted and passionately embraced by genuine experts 🏆.


When you choose "💙 Our Team's Favourite" products, expect expertly vetted excellence backed by genuine enthusiasm from people who live and breathe audio every day.

For Audiophiles at Home

I’ve always loved the ritual of coming home, settling into my favourite chair, and firing up a dedicated setup. Gear labelled For Audiophiles at Home is made for those moments — when you can really sit back and appreciate music in its purest form 🛋️. These products tend to be more powerful, larger, and often require wall power — perfect for a stationary rig.


Here’s the trade-off: these setups often involve external DACs, amps, or full-size headphones, which means more space, more power, but also more immersive listening. They shine when used in quiet environments, where detail, depth, and dynamics can truly be appreciated.


When you see '🏠 For Audiophiles at Home' products, expect: exceptional fidelity, stronger output, and the kind of soundstage that makes you never want to leave your listening chair.

Built like a Tank

Durability concerns? Rest assured 💪.


I tend to describe these products as audio equipment that's built to survive anything you can throw at them. These headphones incorporate high-grade metal components and reinforced design elements that ensure they can handle demanding conditions while maintaining structural integrity. Think of them as the military-grade vehicles of the audio world - over-engineered for reliability and built to last decades, not just years.


The metal construction provides exceptional strength and longevity while contributing to a premium feel that serious audio enthusiasts appreciate. Whether you're a professional who needs reliable daily-use equipment or someone who values long-term investment in audio gear 🏗️.


When you encounter "🪖 Built like a Tank" products, expect unmatched robustness and durability you can count on for years of intensive use.


Connect With Cable

In my experience, there’s still nothing like the dependability of a wired connection when it comes to audio 🎧. I love describing it as the direct flight of music — no delays, no turbulence. When a product says “Connect with Cable,” it means you’re getting the most reliable signal path, with zero wireless compression and minimal interference.


Here’s what’s actually happening: a physical cable transmits uncompressed analog or digital signals directly from your source to your gear. This results in lower latency, no signal drops, and consistently better sound — especially when paired with a good DAC or amp. It’s ideal for critical listening, gaming, and professional use. The trade-off? You’re tethered — but for a lot of audiophiles, that’s a small price to pay for sonic purity.


When you see '🔗 Connect With Cable' products, expect: pure, uninterrupted sound quality that lets your gear perform at its full potential — perfect for focused, high-fidelity listening.

Why it Sounds Amazing

DAC Chip

I like to say the DAC chip is the heart of any audio device — it’s the part that actually transforms digital files into music you can hear 🎧. Think of it like a chef decoding a recipe to create a delicious meal. The better the DAC chip, the more faithfully it translates your music. And in my experience, a great DAC can completely change how your headphones sound.


Now, here’s what’s actually happening: a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) takes digital signals (your MP3s, FLACs, or streams) and converts them into an analog waveform your ears can enjoy. Different DAC chips — like those from ESS, AKM, or Cirrus Logic — offer their own sound signatures, levels of clarity, and noise performance. A good DAC ensures accurate timing, minimal distortion, and exceptional resolution.


When you see '⚙️ DAC Chip' products, expect: clean, detailed audio and better synergy with high-quality headphones — perfect for anyone upgrading from average sound to audiophile quality.

Upgrade Your Home Set-Up Sound With Chord Electronics Qutest

Unlike other DACs by Chord Electronics, the Qutest does not have headphone amplification or rechargeable batteries. It is a pure DAC made to improve your home listening set-up. With its FPGA DAC, you get superior technical and sonic performance. With 49,152 taps, this DAC is able to support even Native DSD 512 (Octa-DSD).

Connect Seamlessly With Multiple Connectivity Options

Connect to a wide variety of devices with the Qutest’s optical, 2 BNC Coax and USB Type-B digital inputs. These are galvanically isolated to give an instant performance upgrade as well as to modernise ageing digital source components. Connect to future Chord Electronics devices with Hi-Res dual-data digital inputs. RCA analogue outputs let you connect to headphone amps, preamps and integrated amps.

Features Four Frequency-Shaping Filters To Support Wide Range Of Frequencies

The Qutest lets you select from its four frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls. This can be done via the two fascia-mounted spheres. You can also choose whether you want the output voltage to be 1, 2 or 3 RMS for connecting to a range of devices. It supports a wide range of frequencies like 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz and 768kHz.

Meticulously Crafted With High Quality & Durable Aluminium Casing

The Qutest sports a show-off-worthy chassis. This all-new chassis has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet for better durability. The PCB has been kept in a shallow cavity in the casing for additional isolation and protection from external vibration.

Connect Seamlessly With Multiple Connectivity Options

Connect to a wide variety of devices with the Qutest’s optical, 2 BNC Coax and USB Type-B digital inputs. These are galvanically isolated to give an instant performance upgrade as well as to modernise ageing digital source components. Connect to future Chord Electronics devices with Hi-Res dual-data digital inputs. RCA analogue outputs let you connect to headphone amps, preamps and integrated amps.

Features Four Frequency-Shaping Filters To Support Wide Range Of Frequencies

The Qutest lets you select from its four frequency-shaping filters and input selection controls. This can be done via the two fascia-mounted spheres. You can also choose whether you want the output voltage to be 1, 2 or 3 RMS for connecting to a range of devices. It supports a wide range of frequencies like 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz and 768kHz.

Meticulously Crafted With High Quality & Durable Aluminium Casing

The Qutest sports a show-off-worthy chassis. This all-new chassis has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet for better durability. The PCB has been kept in a shallow cavity in the casing for additional isolation and protection from external vibration.

Input Options

Chord Electronics Qutest allows you to choose the input you want for a seamless listening experience.

4 Frequency Filters

Chord Electronics Qutest allows you to change filters from the four filters available to tailor your listening experience.

Meticulous Design

Chord Electronics Qutest is crafted with all-new chassis has been precision-machined from solid aircraft-grade aluminium billet for better durability.

Accessories to Get you Started

1. 5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply
2. Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable
3. Drawstring Bag
4. Qutest User Manual
5. Safety Instructions


All You Need To Know About The Chord Qutest

DAC Chip
Custom Coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA
Output
1x Stereo Pair of RCA (Left and Right)
Input
USB Type B (White): 44.1 kHz to 768kHz – 16 bit to 32 Bit
2x BNC Coax (Red): 44.1 kHz – 384kHz – 16 bit to 32 Bit
1x Dual Data Mode Input (Using Both BNC Coax Inputs Together): 44.1 kHz to 768kHz – 16 bit to 32 Bit
Optical (Green): 44.1 kHz to 96kHz – 16 bit to 24 BIT
Variable Output
Fixed, but Selectable Between 3v (Blue), 2v (Green), and 1v (Red) Via Dual Press of ‘Filter’ + ‘Input’ Upon Startup
Frequency Response
20 Hz – 20 kHz +/- 0.2dB
THD
<0.0001% 1 kHz 3v RMS 300Ω


3 Year Warranty

Don't sweat it, this Chord - Qutest comes with a 3 Year warranty from Chord Electronics that covers manufacturing defects. All products featured on Headphone Zone are backed by an original manufacturer's warranty.

Read more about Chord Electronics's warranty in India.

British Made Precision Designed since 1989

Chord Electronics, founded in 1998 and headquartered in East Farleigh, Kent, United Kingdom, is renowned for its commitment to delivering pure audio through its legendary DACs and amplifiers, all entirely designed and manufactured in England. Stemming from a background in aviation, where uncompromised standards were paramount, Chord Electronics has upheld this philosophy since its inception in 1989. Their amplifiers were initially supplied to prestigious institutions like the BBC and world-leading studios such as Abbey Road and Sony Music in New York.

Notably, Chord Electronics distinguishes itself through the use of FPGA technology in their DACs and amplifiers, ensuring studio-grade audio performance across their product range, including popular models like Mojo, Hugo, and DAVE.

Explore Collection
The Chord Qutest emanates a sound quality that's undeniably satisfying. It stands as a testament to robust engineering, providing a powerful and polished rendition of digital music. It achieves an impressive equilibrium between neutrality and precision. If you're considering enhancing your audio system, I strongly advise giving the Qutest a shot.

RAGHAV SOMANI

Best DAC £500 - £1200
What Hi-Fi? Awards
Nov, 2019

Best DAC £500 - £1200
What Hi-Fi? Awards
Nov, 2018

Stars of CES Winner
What Hi-Fi?
Jan, 2018

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2019 winner. Chord has managed to do it again. The Qutest sets a new benchmark at this price. Clear, precise and subtle performer with stylish build.
The Chord Qutest is a perfect fusion of science and art.Capable of astounding clarity, Chord’s Qutest DAC cuts the cost of audiophile grade digital decoding.
Gosh, what is there not to like about the Qutest as a pure DAC? It gives resolutely detailed and fantastically natural sounding with just about any amp I can throw at it.
The Qutest was detailed, natural, very atmospheric with great 3D imaging. The Qutest is a cuddly, small aluminium box which is machined from a solid billet of aluminium and then black anodised.

Have a question? Get in touch!

Check out the most common questions our customers ask. Still have questions? Talk to our Headphone Gurus.

Our customer support is available Monday to Friday: 10.30am-6:30pm.Average answer time: 2-3 Hours

Other Details


Generic Name Digital Audio Converter
Country Of Origin United Kingdom
Importer Details Importers Name: Ferrari Video
Address: 63/18, 1st Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Chennai - 600020
Contact No: 044-24420733
Dimensions 22 x 13 x 11 CM
Net Quantity 1
Manufacturer Details Name: Chord Electronics Ltd.
Address: The Pumphouse, Farleigh Bridge, Farleigh Lane, East Farleigh, Maidstone
Package Contents Chord Qutest DAC
5V 2A Switching Micro USB Power Supply
Type-A USB To Type-B USB Cable
Drawstring Bag
Qutest User ManuaL, Safety Instructions

Manuals & Guides



User Manual | Qutest

Desktop DAC



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Customer Reviews

Based on 23 reviews
91%
(21)
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(0)
4%
(1)
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4%
(1)
A
AyushP306 (Pune)
Chord Qutest – The Little Box That Changed Everything

There are some components you buy hoping for an improvement—and then there are some that quietly redefine your system. The Chord Qutest belongs to the latter. At first, it feels like a curious little brick—minimalist, unassuming, no display, no remote… just a few glowing buttons and solid British build quality. But once you hook it up and press play, you realize you’ve stumbled upon something truly special.

The first thing that struck me was the clarity. Not the exaggerated, sharp kind that some gear pretends is detail—but a natural, unforced transparency. Everything sounds cleaner, yet smoother. Vocals feel human again, not like they're coming through a filter. The layering in the soundstage becomes apparent—things now have depth, air, and space between them.

It somehow manages to be detailed and warm at the same time. There’s no fatigue even during long listening sessions, and yet the music feels alive, textured, and involving. The bass is tight, fast, and articulate—not bloated or boomy—and the treble is silky without ever getting harsh. The Qutest doesn't try to impress with gimmicks; it just tells the truth gently and beautifully.

Switching filter modes is a subtle touch—more like fine seasoning than a recipe change—but it lets you tailor things to your taste or the recording. And that’s the beauty of the Qutest: it respects the music and gives it to you as-is, with honesty and finesse.

A sincere thank you to Raghav and his team for making this experience possible. The unit arrived on time, in perfect shape, and their responsiveness and care made it all the more reassuring. It’s rare to find a product and a team that both deliver with such grace.

If you're looking for a DAC that just gets out of the way and lets you fall in love with your music all over again, the Chord Qutest is a gem. It may be small—but its impact is deep, honest, and lasting.

Thank you for such an in-depth and thoughtful review! Your insights are incredibly valuable and will surely help other audiophiles make informed decisions.

A
Aniel (Delhi)
Super Resolving and Excellent Clarity & Soundstage.

1. Absolutely huge Soundstage.
2. Timbre is very nice and soothing.
3. Excellent detailing.
4. Instrument separation is very good. I can hear each and every sound in clarity.
5. Very nice mid bass and upper bass without merging.
6. Filters are very nice while listening you can change and you don't hear any sound.
7. Nice imaging and details are extraordinary.
8. I think this was s great choice.
9. Songs heard " you and your friend dire straits". "Neil diamond it's a beautiful noise". For impressions.
10. I used HD800 HPs. Burson Soloist MKII amp and source I used android mobile with uapp . ✌ An Excellent Experience.
I have the advantage to select any filter of the four built in with the selector button. Since I just got it yesterday I need to try them with my Alex Cavalli Tube amp and the Audeze LCD2 classic which I would be doing so in the coming days. Though I had shortlisted 3 flagships Dacs, Qutest, Denafrips Enyo 15th, & Gustard R26 I finally decided to go with the Chord Qutest. I started with its younger sibling Chord Mojo which I still use and like it for my portables.
Also Thanks especially to Hector from HP Zone for his inputs and HP Zone for a super fast delivery of the device. Thanks & Cheers

Thank you for the wonderful review!

A
Aloke (Hyderabad)
Fantastic DAC

Been listening to music with this DAC for several hours and can only say its performance is awesome. Using the optical input gives a remarkably clear sound, large soundstage and clearly defined instruments and vocals.

Thank you for your fantastic review of the Chord - Qutest!

A
Aditya Bharadwaj (Bengaluru)
Clear, rhythmic, fluid - exciting when paired with the right amps

Took a step away from the Gustard R26 (excellent DAC, but somewhat laid back for my taste) to try the Chord Qutest as I wanted something a little sharper and more detailed. Qutest has clarity and is very rhythmic, but needs a good source to bring out the best. Sounded very average with an iPad 9th gen Lightning to USB-A adapter output, but excellent with an iPhone 15 Pro Max USB-C to HDMI+USB-A media adapter. Your mileage may vary.

Pairing with Amps:
1. Leaning on warm side of neutral when paired with my Yaqin tube speaker amp (6L6 tubes), holographic and detailed.
2. Neutral, detailed but not very holographic when paired with xDuoo TA66 tube headphone amp and Sennheiser HD660S2. Is the headphone the limiting factor? No idea.
3. Solid state Speaker amp - detailed, somewhat holographic, muscular sound - fine fit nonetheless

Detailed - I mean I can hear instruments and vocals separately and clearly, can identify more texture to each note.

Is this better than Gustard R26? For my preferences, my input sources, and my taste in music - Yes.

Bonus - It's a pleasure to watch action movies with sound through the Qutest - bullets and explosions have a real feel to them, movie sondtracks too.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with the Chord Qutest. We hope it continues to bring you joy. Happy listening!

H
Haribabu Chunchu (Hyderabad)
Sweet sounding DAC

Thanks to Headphone zone for offering very competitive price, below 1L with free stand. Very enjoyable DAC, it sounds very balanced and refined, feeling like it's my final DAC and my hunt for best DAC is over. Sound Quality is awesome, some songs feeling like I'm listening first time, very musical, great channel separation and crispy. It's value for Money. I would recommend this DAC for music lovers.

Hey Haribabu, thanks a lot for this lovely review and we are glad you are enjoying it! Keep the music playing.

R
Rohit Arora (New Delhi)
Design and Comfort:
Great
Poor
Sound Quality:
Awesome
Awful
Value for Money:
Bang On!
Not at all
Simply amazing!

There is something about the Chord sound which brings a lifelike realism. This is a very special DAC which sounds very different from the delta sigma ones with excellent detail, instrument separation and soundstage but still not being very clinical.
Pairs fantastically with neutral to warm amps, strongly advice to invest in good RCA interconnects to extract the maximum potential of the DAC!

Hey there, nothing makes us happier than knowing you loved your purchase, hope you had a comfortable shopping experience & thank you for the great review & ratings!

A
Anand P (Kolkata)
Sound Quality:
I don't hear a difference
Absolute game changer
Value for Money:
Not even close
Totally worth it
Chord Qutest - a wonderful and cute experiance

My heartiest compliments to headphone zone for a wonderfully curated and seamless experience.
I am a regular audiophile consumer and must say this was the best for a high end audio equipment purchase
Keep the mojo going headphone zone and service rewards handsomely.

HI Anand,
We thank you for this lovely review & we are glad you are enjoying it! Keep the music playing.

P
PRABAKARAN T T (Chennai)
Sound Quality:
I don't hear a difference
Absolute game changer
Value for Money:
Not even close
Totally worth it
Superb DAC

Really nice experience , able to hear details of music and warm sound output

Hey Prabakaran,
Thank you for the awesome review & ratings!