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This is an older but still current-generation DAC, and timing matters less here than condition and completeness because it’s a mature, well-sorted design. At US$1,250, the ask sits right at the upper quartile of your recent comparable used market, above the US$1,000 median, so it reads as a fair-to-ambitious price rather than a bargain.
The appeal is straightforward: the Qutest is widely respected for its clean, highly resolving presentation, excellent timing, and flexibility with multiple digital inputs and selectable filters. It’s a strong buy if you want a compact, serious DAC that still competes well with many newer models. At this level I’d mainly want to confirm original power supply, remote, and that all inputs work cleanly; otherwise, a tidy example can be a very satisfying long-term piece.
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.
