What Hi Fi Sound and Vision 22 OCT 2008

Chord Electronics Chordette Gem

£ 399 5

* * * * *

It's great to see a specialist hi-fi company try something different. The Chordette Gem is a fine product

For
An effective upgrade to computer or music phone sound through your hi-fi; great build and finish
Against
We understand Chord has targeted this DAC at a specific set of users, but it's a shame traditional hi-fi inputs such as optical or coax aren't included

This is an outboard DAC, but not as we know it. Chord isn't aiming it at the hi-fi enthusiast who wants to upgrade an old CD player or buy a competitively priced two boxer. No, the Gem's target market is laptop and music phone users.

So determined is Chord not to attract the typical hi-fi crowd it has even omitted both types of conventional digital inputs. Look for optical and electrical connections and you'll be disappointed.

Instead, you've got the option of USB (the B type rectangular one) or Bluetooth, making use of the delivery system's A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) digital audio signal.

Excellent build and finish
The Gem's build quality is excellent, and finish is as good as we've seen at this price level. Remember, up to this point Chord's cheapest electronics started at a couple of grand, so it's astonishing the company has maintained its usual high build standards even at this relatively low price point.

Once connected – which is as easy as these things can be – this DAC makes a strong case for itself.

Whatever the input, the Gem delivers a clear and detailed sound with far stronger dynamics than our Acer laptop, Apple iMac or Samsung music phone produced on their own.

Detail resolution is very good and dynamics have both subtlety and power.

The Gem 's sonic accuracy makes it important to keep recording bit-rates high – we'd recommend 320kbps as a minimum, with Apple Lossless or WAV being ideal.

This is a really brave attempt by Chord to attract new people to its brand, and we hope it works out. The Gem is a fine product.