Chord Qutest User Manual

User Manual | English

THERE ARE NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE QUTEST. DO NOT
DISASSEMBLE. DOING SO WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY, COULD DAMAGE
YOUR UNIT, AND COULD RESULT IN ELECTROCUTION.

Qutest must be connected to a device capable of attenuating its output
before being used. Connecting Qutest directly to a power amplifier can cause
irreparable damage to your equipment and your hearing.

If you require any help or advice, we first recommend contacting your original
dealer. They will have the best understanding of your system and will be able
to offer you bespoke advice. If you require further assistance please visit
the support page of the Chord Electronics website: chordelectronics.co.uk/
get-support

@chordaudio /chordelectronics /chordelectronics

Please only use a dry
cloth to clean Qutest

Never directly spray
liquids, including
cleaners, onto Qutest

Do not allow Qutest to
come into contact with
liquid

Never poke objects into
the exposed connectors
apart from the designated
connectors

Never drop or expose
Qutest to mechanical
shock

No user serviceable parts,
do not disassemble Qutest.
Doing so will void your
warranty. Please contact
your original dealer in the
event of a fault

Keep Qutest off of carpet
and soft surfaces

Always keep away from
sources of heat and direct
sunlight

Always allow the unit to be
well ventilated

Keep away from liquids and
damp areas. Immediately
unplug if contact occurs

chordelectronics.co.uk

3 year limited warranty on hardware

YRS

3

WARRANTY

MADE I N THE

UNITED KINGDOM

WARRANTY REGISTRATION: To activate
the three-year parts and labour warranty,
you must register the Qutest online at:
chordelectronics.co.uk/register-product

PLACEMENT

Drivers

Qutest is compatible with a wide variety of devices, including Mac OS X,
Windows, Linux, iOS and Android systems. Drivers are required for Windows­based operating systems and these can be located on the product page on the
Chord Electronics website:

chordelectronics.co.uk

Start-up sequence

Upon connection to power, Qutest will perform a start-up sequence evident by
the internal sample rate indicator cycling through a series of rainbow colours.
This will take approximately 16 seconds. During this time, Qutest may not
be discoverable, or output any audio. As mentioned, Qutest automatically
remembers last-used settings including Filter, Input, and Line Level selection.

NOTE: When the correct input is selected on Qutest and the device successfully
detects an incoming signal the sample rate indicator will illuminate (located
within the viewing porthole).

Galvanic isolation

Galvanic isolation involves isolating the power rails of the data USB input,
allowing for greater sonic performance. Qutest features a Class 2 Type-B USB
input with this protection. No special attention or cables are required to allow
Qutest to function.

NO SOUND? Make sure that you have correctly selected Qutest as the
digital audio output on your machine. When plugging Qutest into your
computer, Qutest may not immediately or automatically be selected.
For more help please visit: chordelectronics.co.uk/get-support

Only operate within the
specified temperatures

5°C 40°C

41°F 104°F

Digital To Analogue
Converter

Qutest

06

Important information

04

General operation

Tap length WTA1 16FS filter 49,152 taps

Elements 10 Element Pulse Array Design

Frequency response 20Hz - 20kHz +/- 0.2dB

Dynamic range 124dB A-Weighted

THD 0.0001% 1kHz 2.5v RMS 300Ω

Channel separation 138dB at 1kHz 300Ω

Noise floor modulation None measurable

Dimensions 41mm (H) x 160mm (W) x 72mm (D

Weight 770g

07

Specifications

05

Care instructions

Welcome to Qutest, an advanced ultra-compact FPGA digital-to-analogue
converter proudly developed and manufactured by Chord Electronics in Kent,
England. Please take a few moments to familiarise yourself with its operation.

Qutest has two selector spheres on the front of the unit, FILTER and INPUT.
Each button also has an additional function - variable line-level output
mode and variable display brightness. Please refer to the sections below
to learn more.

Filters

By cycling through the four filter options, it is possible to subtly change the
device’s tonal characteristics. Qutest achieves this not by strictly applying
an equalisation curve, but by changing the way in which the FPGA handles
the data.

Variable line level output

Qutest has a three-stage variable output voltage feature (1V, 2V and 3V)
enabling compatibility with a wide range of partnering amplifiers and pre-amps.

Setting the brightness of the LEDs

To adjust the brightness level (after Qutest has finished the start-up sequence),
again, press both ‘FILTER’ and ‘INPUT’ to cycle between ‘High’ and ‘Low’
modes. This will dim both the internal and external LEDs.

1

*M-Scaler compatibility: Using the dual coaxial inputs in dual-data mode, Qutest can accept a Chord
Electronics M-Scaler dual-data output, which dramatically increases the sound quality of recordings.
Simply connect the coaxial outputs of an M-Scaler device to the coaxial inputs 1 and 2, referring to the
partnering device’s user manual for more information.

Inputs

With four selectable digital input options, Qutest is a standalone DAC that acts
as a digital hub to allow audio components to be instantly upgraded. Many
hi-fi and audio components can benefit, including CD transports and players,
streamers, computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones, plus most audio
devices with a suitable digital output.

Power connection

Qutest is supplied with an external power supply and has been designed to
be permanently connected to a power source. A 5V 2.1-amp Micro USB cable
and power supply is supplied. Note: Qutest cannot be powered via the USB
Type-B input.

Incisive neutral

Designed for all who wish to
hear the full spectrum of audio
no matter what sample rate, this
option has an ultra linear frequency
response. For the technically
minded this includes a 16FS to
256FS WTA2 filter.

Warm

Designed to introduce a little
warmth to recordings, this filter
will satisfy. This is a 16FS WTA1
filter only.

Incisive neutral
HF roll-off

Designed for purists in mind, who
playback high sample rate PCM
recordings, this option has an
ultra linear frequency response
with a high frequency filter past
20kHz to remove HF distortion and
noise from these recordings. This
includes a 16FS to 256FS WTA2
filter with the HF filter enabled.

Warm
HF roll-off

Designed to introduce a little
warmth to recordings, this filter
will satisfy and is ideal for high
resolution PCM playback. This is
a 16FS filter but with a high­frequency roll-off.

HD Type-B USB

Up to 768kHz and DSD 512 native
playback. DSD 64 - DSD 256 via
DoP, native DSD via ASIO

COAX 2

Up to 384kHz and up to DSD 128
(via DoP). Dual-data* capable

COAX 1

Up to 384kHz and up to DSD 128
(via DoP). Dual-data* capable

Optical input

Up to 192kHz and DSD 64 (via
DoP)

During start-up (the first 16 seconds), simultaneously press both
‘FILTER’ and ‘INPUT’ buttons

Release press and repeat the duplicate press again to reach the
desired output level ranging from 1V, 2V and 3V. Once the start-up
sequence has completed, the output level will be fixed. Repeat the
steps above to change the level.

2

MEMORY FUNCTION: Qutest remembers the last-used setting, including filter, input and variable
voltage selection.

1 2 3 4 5

Rear

DSD up to DSD 256
via DoP, native DSD
up to DSD 512 via
ASIO driver

44.1kHz to 768kHz

- 16-bit to 32-bit
Automatic sample
rate switching

Viewing Glass

Qutest is fully future-proof with 768kHz PCM support, DSD up to 256 via DoP
(Mac) and native DSD up to DSD 512 playback (via ASIO driver for Windows).
Sample rate switching is fully automatic, intuitively triggered by your device,
playback application or computer. You can identify the incoming sample rate
by observing the colour displayed in the viewing porthole and referencing it to
the guide below:

44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192 352.8 384 705.6 768 DSD

Sample frequencies in kHz

* Native DSD playback is only available via Windows
OS with the driver available from the Chord
Electronics website.

1V RMS 2V RMS 3V RMS

01 02

Getting to know Qutest Selectable options and variable line level

03

How to read sample rate

1

USB Type-B input: 32-bit 768kHz PCM/up to DSD 512

2

2x BNC coaxial input - 24-bit/384kHz/Dual-data mode capable to 768kHz

3

Optical input: 24-bit/192kHz DSD 64

4

RCA analogue outputs (Left and Right)

5

Micro USB power supply input - 5V 1-amp minimum

6

Filter selection switch - 4x filters available

7

Viewing glass porthole and sample rate indicator

8

Input selector switch

6 7 8

Front