REVIEW HI-FI WORLD BIT HIT Chord’s new QuteHD DAC sounds superb, can handle 32-bit 384kHz material and replay DSD files via its USB input. What more could anyone want? Very little, discovers Jon Myles. C hord’s high-end QBD76 HDSD DAC has quickly established itself as an object of audiophile desire – and for good reason. Boasting the ability to handle material stretching up to 384kHz sample rates and with DSD playback facility over USB it’s seemingly future-proofed, sounds sublime and comes in Chord’s distinctive industrial-design casing. But it also comes at the not insignificant price of nearly £5,000 and as such is arguably out of the range of a great number of people. So enter the Chord QuteHD – a new DAC boasting many of its bigger brother’s attributes but coming in at just under £1,000. Take it out of the box and there’s no denying the new DAC’s lineage. Housed in Chord’s traditional bombproof aluminium enclosure it features their small, round window which gives a tantalising glimpse of the electronics inside. And, as it is Chord, those Playing a top quality 24/192 file the window of the QuteHD glows blue. HI-FI WORLD MARCH 2013 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk electronics are typically bespoke. Chief among those are the inhouse designed Robert Watts’ third generation WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) digital filter with some 10,240 taps claimed to give better timing and rhythm, plus more accurate sound staging. It is followed by the Watts Pulse Array DAC. Our Measured Performance gives an insight into just how good a technical performance this produces. And it also gives the Chord one of REVIEW HI-FI WORLD the best overall specifications available at anywhere near the price. It can handle 24/192kHz files over any of its inputs, is 32-bit/384kHz ready over S/PDIF and as an added bonus can accept DSD over USB with a compatible computer audio player such as Audirvana Plus on Mac or J River Media Centre on Windows machines. OK, so there aren’t that many 384kHz files available as of now but DSD has a steadily growing number of on-line sources (see separate piece) and if you want something that can handle both today’s various hi-res files and whatever may come in the future then the Chord QuteHD seems to have all the bases covered at a sub-£1,000 price-point. OPERATION Here's the QuteHD playing a 24/96 high resolution file: the glow from the Cramming all these features window is green. into the QuteHD means Chord has had to make a few comprises compared to the the sample rate being received; red for available it was tempting to go straight QBD76HD. Gone are the AES/EBU 44.1kHz Red Book, orange for 48kHz, for a high-resolution download but balanced digital inputs and balanced yellow 88.2kHz, green 96kHz, light instead I opted to move through the analogue outputs and there are only blue 176.4kHz, dark blue 192kHz and gears – starting with good old CD. It single S/PDIF inputs via optical and purple for DSD. proved just how good the Chord is. coaxial. The input controls have also Spinning Massive Attack’s ‘Mezzanine’ been simplified by the expedient of saw a massive soundstage open up. getting rid of them altogether. SOUND QUALITY Bass was deep but controlled while all In fact, there are no switches on Impressive as the Chord’s technical instruments had a natural sense of air the QuteHD whatsoever. Instead the capabilities may be, it’s even more Chord senses the inputs and uses a impressive when you actually fire it up and space around them. Music flowed strict hierarchy to decide which is and start listening. Put simply, this is with a formidable authority that just playing. There is no manual selection one of the best-sounding DACs I have seemed right. There’s a large, solid necessary but there is a priority order. ever heard. pin-sharp feel about the way the DAC So USB takes priority over coax which With all that processing power goes about its business. in turn takes priority over optical. If you connect both the USB and coax inputs when you play music on the computer the QuteHD will automatically switch to the USB input and so anything playing via the coax input will no longer be sent to the output. The round window on the unit’s top lights a different colour to indicate "Put simply, this is one of the best-sounding DACs I have ever heard." Optical and electrical (BNC) S/PDIF inputs, a USB input and analogue outputs. www.hi-fiworld.co.uk MARCH 2013 HI-FI WORLD REVIEW Moving on to 24/96 via USB and things just got better. Kate Bush’s ‘50 Words For Snow’ has never sounded better. That word authority springs to mind again. In comparison other DACs can sound lacking in substance whereas the Chord tracks the music with a grip that brings a sense of scale yet conveys a palpable feeling of ease. The sound is smooth but never laidback unless it’s absolutely meant to be. That confident feeling is present across all the inputs – and it’s fair to say the preferred option is going to be very much down to individual choice and partnering equipment. What isn’t negotiable though is that the Chord has the resolving ability to clearly show the differences between various sampling Playing CD the QuteHD's window glows red. rates. As mentioned, DSD to handle 384kHz and direct DSD with a superb sense of timing and files may not exactly be widespread decoding it represents something transient response. in the mainstream but there are of a bargain at its price-point. Very Add in Chord’s trademark an increasing number of online strongly recommended. build quality and the fact it’s ready outlets offering the option. Listening to the QuteHD you begin to see why. A selection of test tracks and albums from America’s Blue Coast too. Measured performances was The QuteHD handles 192kHz sample rate Records and other sources showed code and all lower values on both optical exceptional. NK a delicious, organic feel from DSD. and electrical S/PDIF inputs, and is rare Playing the San Francisco Symphony Frequency response 4Hz–61kHz for managing this through an optical Orchestra’s rendition of Mahler’s Distortion (24bit) % TOSLINK connector. Frequency response Symphony Number 1 provided an 0dB 0.0006 extended to a high 60kHz before rolling improved sense of flow and detail -60dB 0.027 down smoothly, our analysis shows. – as though you can actually hear Separation (1kHz) 112dB With 96kHz sample rate frequency into the music and the acoustic space Noise (IEC A) -116dB response drops sharply at 47kHz, so it’s recorded in. Dynamic range (24bit) 117dB the QuteHD offers maximum analogue Detail certainly seemed stronger FREQUENCY RESPONSE, 192k bandwidth, against the more limited and the whole sound had a much response of many current designs. These more palpable feel of scale and tests lit the window blue for 192k, green dynamics. That’s not to say the for 96k, pale green for 88.2k, pink for 48k difference was always to DSD’s and red for 44.1k (CD). benefit. On some tracks highDistortion was very low with resolution PCM downloads seem 24bit resolution, measuring 0.027% at to beat their DSD counterparts, -60dB, our analysis shows, and this displaying slightly more snap and was a stable and consistent result at bite to the sound compared to the all sampling rates. Unsurprisingly, EIAJ latter’s slightly softer sound. This Dynamic Range was a massive 117dB may be down to a variety of reasons DISTORTION, 24bit, -60dB 3V with 24bit, one of the best figures – but it’s good that Chord provides Output possible. the option for direct DSD playback USB gave exactly the same results alongside the PCM alternatives. HI-FI WORLD MEASURED PERFORMANCE CONCLUSION Whatever flavour of file you choose, the new Chord QuteHD is an absolutely fantastic sounding and deeply impressive DAC. Its sound is big and bold and yet displays an impressive level of detail. It has an uncanny ability to make everything played through it sound natural as S/PDIF, meaning it was quieter than most and performed unusually well, with little noise or distortion resulting in an EIAJ Dynamic Range of 117dB again. It accepted up to 192kHz sample rate and gave great linearity with 24bit. The QuteHD lived up to its name, It offers full 192kHz sample rate operation on all inputs, and superb 24bit linearity www.hi-fiworld.co.uk CHORD QUTEHD DAC £990 VERDICT £ A seriously impressive product. For many it could be what they need for years to come. FOR - up to 384kHz capable - can handle DSD direct via USB - exceptional soundstage - superb build quality AGAINST - limited inputs Chord Electronics Ltd +44 (0)1622 721444 www.chordelectronics.co.uk MARCH 2013 HI-FI WORLD