Chord Electronics QBD76 HDSD

Using the latest support, the new QBD76 HDSD now includes DSD-over-USB playback, enabling audiophiles to access a world of high-resolution DSD music without the considerable expense of owning physical media.

With studio-quality audio firmly focussed within the realms of downloadable material, the QBD76 HDSD, with its advanced 192kHz- and DSD-capable USB input, is perfectly poised to take full advantage of today’s HD music files, including the growing number of DSD files of HDCD material, which are now becoming available.

The HD USB input uses a special high-speed data connector (where the QBD 76 once featured a Bluetooth aerial) and a USB 2.0-certified full data rate cable is supplied to allow connection to a computer. The existing USB input can be utilised for CD-quality playback, giving the option for two simultaneous USB connections for both high-definition and standard-definition playback from the DAC at the same time.

The design of the QBD76 HDSD, from the digital input to the DAC outputs, has been created using the latest generation of field-programmable gate array devices (FPGA), now with 1.25 million gates. The FPGA handles the switching of S/PDIF inputs, all digital S/PDIF decoding, digital PLL, RAM buffer controller, WTA filtering, and the 5th-generation Pulse Array DAC. All of these functional blocks are designed at the gate level for maximum performance.

The HD USB input uses its own separate FPGA and features asynchronous USB technology, isolating the digital clocks from the computer. Each sample rate clock is generated discretely using highly accurate crystal oscillators for optimum performance and ultra-low jitter performance. Proprietary USB driver software is provided removing the restrictions of current operating system audio playback. It also gives very easy set up and sample-rate selection from 44kHz to 192kHz, allowing for upsampling of standard-definition music.

The QBD76 HDSD offers consumers Chord Electronics’ legendary build quality, exemplary audio engineering and renowned service and backup department. It brings exceptional detail-retrieval, insight and transparency to audio systems thanks to its bespoke circuit design implemented by Chord Electronics’ internationally renowned engineering team.

Redefining the sonic performance of the enthusiast DAC category, the QBD76 HDSD showcases the unique talents of Chord Electronics’ Robert Watts, whose state-of-the-art proprietary FPGA technology lies at the heart of the device and allows capabilities far exceeding that of normal commercial DACs.