RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
At £1,495, this is ambitious against your own recent GBP comps: it sits well above the £934 75th percentile and far from the £802 median, so it’s priced at a clear premium to the current used market. Against that benchmark, I’d only lean in if there’s something unusually strong about the listing—box, proof of purchase, exceptional condition, or a seller you trust.
That said, the Qutest is still a genuinely well-regarded DAC: compact, very low-noise, and known for strong timing, clarity, and scale with the right system. It’s a solid buy when condition is clean and accessories are complete, but at this price you want the full package and confidence that it’s been looked after.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Chord Electronics, a British high-fidelity powerhouse, traces its roots to the aviation industry. Founded in 1989 by John Franks, a former Marconi Avionics engineer, the company emerged from his early 1980s innovations in ultra-reliable, high-frequency switching power supplies for aircraft electronics. Initially too costly for commercial viability, the designs became feasible with advancing components, launching Chord from its Kent headquarters in a renovated pumphouse that remains its manufacturing heart.
The brand excels in premium amplifiers and digital-to-analog converters (DACs), blending Franks' analog prowess with digital expertise from FPGA specialist Rob Watts. Early power amplifiers quickly won acclaim from professional studios like the BBC, Abbey Road, and Skywalker Sound, establishing credibility before shifting focus to consumer hi-fi. Iconic products like the Hugo and Mojo DACs exemplify their boundary-pushing approach, alongside integrated amps and streamers, all handcrafted in the UK without compromise on power, precision, or musicality.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, Chord commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its uncompromising engineering, aerospace-grade reliability, and bold innovation. Independent and proudly British, it sets benchmarks in transparency and dynamics, attracting buyers who demand reference-level performance over mass-market concessions.
See all Chord Electronics listings on RADAR.
