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A QUTEST is a serious little DAC, and at £875 this one sits just above the middle of the recent used market rather than looking expensive. Against £825 median comps, it’s a touch firm but still comfortably within range; it’s also below the £921 75th percentile, so this reads as fair rather than ambitious.
That’s a good place to buy one, because the Qutest is well regarded for clean, incisive conversion, strong timing, and a presentation that stays composed in revealing systems. If the unit is genuinely tidy and includes the right power supply, remote, and original packaging, the asking price is sensible for a proven piece that tends to hold value well.
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.
