Chord DAC QBD 76 - Any good?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Might be buying one, anyone had any experience?

[hifinutt]

they were all the rage before the dave !!! you still see the old chord dac64 for sale at reasonable prices so well worth a punt

[Yomanze]

As with any bespoke DACs the house sound it is somewhat subjective. If detail and micro-dynamics are your thing then Chord DACs are just the ticket. The multibit / NOS DAC crew may not agree though. I think Chord is massively overpriced, but second hand and how fast Chord release new models help make their older DACs better value.

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[Wakefield Turntables]

they were all the rage before the dave !!! you still see the old chord dac64 for sale at reasonable prices so well worth a punt

I'm more of a vinyl nut but need somethings better than a Caiman SEG! DAVE is out of my price range for what I'm prepared to pay for digital replay.


As with any bespoke DACs the house sound it is somewhat subjective. If detail and micro-dynamics are your thing then Chord DACs are just the ticket. The multibit / NOS DAC crew may not agree though. I think Chord is massively overpriced, but second hand and how fast Chord release new models help make their older DACs better value.

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Bang on! That's why I decided that a Chord might be a worthwhile punt.

[Simon_LDT]

There's an Arcam D33 in the classifieds going at a bargain price (1/4 of the original!), might be worth a look at.

[montesquieu]

As with any bespoke DACs the house sound it is somewhat subjective. If detail and micro-dynamics are your thing then Chord DACs are just the ticket. The multibit / NOS DAC crew may not agree though. I think Chord is massively overpriced, but second hand and how fast Chord release new models help make their older DACs better value.



Totally agree. I had the DAC64 (mkII IIRC) around the same time I was running Whest phono stages, when I believed that detail was what it was all about. (We are talking 6-7-8 years ago). If that's your thing then great, but my Longdog phono stage cast away any thoughts about the Whest approach, and various Audio Note DACs leading up to my current one did the same on the digital side.

As for the Chord I think lots of modern DACs probably do much the same thing electronically and functionally for a lot less dosh, but it is a very impressive slab of machined aluminium ....

[Denney10]

I have recently parted with my QBD along with all my other separates and the QBD is the one I miss the most. For me, it made the biggest improvement to my system and was the sole reason for keeping the system together as long as I did.
Mine was used for CD, Bluetooth phone, tidal laptop and digital TV and it sounded fab for all of these connections. Max buffer (except for TV obviously) and it always brought a smile. If you can pick one up for £1500 or less then I say it's a great choice.


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[sq225917]

I yhink you might find it a bit too direct and relentless on long term listening.

[Jimbo]

To be honest Andy I would go for a Hugo 2 and if you are financially able - DAVE. I listen to this DAC regularly and as i know your a vinyl analog man at heart this is the only DAC I have ever heard that gets near to great analog. Hugo2 will give you 75% of DAVE, the QBD 76 won't.

[Wakefield Turntables]

All good comments so far. Hugo2 could be an option. DAVE isn't an option as I only have 100+ CD's!

[StanleyB]

All good comments so far. Hugo2 could be an option. DAVE isn't an option as I only have 100+ CD's!
Let me know what you think of the Hugo versus the SEG. I have had two customers who went from the Hugo to the SEG, so it would be interesting to find out what it is the other way round.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Let me know what you think of the Hugo versus the SEG. I have had two customers who went from the Hugo to the SEG, so it would be interesting to find out what it is the other way round.

You give me a HUGO and I'll write the review and do a comparison for you. :eek: