RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
New Qutest pricing sits around £1,195–£1,250, so £1,129 is a solid discount on current retail, but it is still above the recent used median of £801 and the 75th percentile of £928. That makes it an ambitious ask rather than a bargain; I’d want a bit more support from condition, accessories, and provenance before paying top of the used range.
Even so, the Qutest remains a highly regarded DAC for its clean, incisive sound, excellent timing, and genuinely revealing presentation without bloat. It’s a sensible buy if you want a compact, no-nonsense reference DAC and the listing is complete with box, PSU, and original leads; if it’s truly mint or from a careful single owner, that helps, but at £1,129 the price needs to be justified by exceptional condition or extras.
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.
