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This is a buyer’s market for older high-end DACs like this: £1,450 looks fair to slightly strong, not a steal, but still sensible versus typical used asking prices that cluster around roughly £1,400-£2,000 depending on variant and condition. It sits below the more ambitious listings, but not low enough to scream bargain; call it decent value if the unit is the HDSD version and fully healthy.
The QBD76 has a well-earned following for its big, smooth, musically engaging presentation and remains a serious piece of Chord kit. At this price, the upside is getting a genuinely high-end DAC for far less than original cost, especially if it’s complete with box, remote, and power supply. Main caveat is age: confirm exact version, inputs, and service history, and make sure it locks reliably on all sample rates.
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.
