Jan 20, 2025 at 3:50 AM Post #19,381 of 19,723
Using the optical input of the mscaler is advised by most, that is what you read and hear about. Not only does one prevent electric noise from entering the mscaler, it prevents the use of the USB chip that can have own issues. Therefore Rob says optical is reference and usb can at max match that.

That chart picture is only about the connections between mscaler and DAC.
There, near no one uses optical because optical is limited technology and we want to upscale above that technological limitation.

Mscaler comes to value by full upscaling ie x16. You don't pay for less than its full potential, right?
At x16 even a coax cant handle that, you need double coax connection.

Confusing about that chart is the black horizontal lines RED (BYPASS) it suggests input = output. Lets look at the lowest horizontal lack line. Suppose you upscale in a PC (with HQPLAYER for example) to 705 - 768 and lead that with usb cable into the mscaler. That chart suggests all mscaler outputs copy that, also 1 bcn or even optical. That is impossible.

Practically: you don't buy mscaler to upscale less than "white" ie x16. Would be a waste of money if less. This obliges the use of dual bnc.
For mitigating electrical noise and groundloop stuff (because it's not optical) people use heavily ferrited bnc cables and/or feed the mscaler with a veeery clean battery power.

Many people like myself promote to feed mscaler with bit perfect data meaning no pre upscaling in pc nor dsp nor volume treating... with optical. It can carry 192 files that cover almost everything out there as a source.

So theres little advantage using that chart. It shows what happens when you deviate from mscalers true purpose of use which is in short {white + double bnc} into a Chord DAC.
Mscaler doesn't jive extremely well with other brands dacs, it's not desinged nor supposed for that. Forget the chart 😉
 
Jan 20, 2025 at 4:42 AM Post #19,383 of 19,723
This is my Car. The MSCALER and Hugo TT2 Powered by bixpower batteries and the input to M scaler is via optical from the digital transport
 

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Jan 20, 2025 at 4:47 AM Post #19,384 of 19,723
This is my Car. The MSCALER and Hugo TT2 Powered by bixpower batteries and the input to M scaler is via optical from the digital transport
Niceeeeee😆🤣… I tried the mojo2+poly once as car source, that already made a huge difference, I would not dare do that with my scaler and tt2.

But tt2+mscsler propably will sound bizar! Nice job
 
Jan 20, 2025 at 4:50 AM Post #19,385 of 19,723
This is my Car. The MSCALER and Hugo TT2 Powered by bixpower batteries and the input to M scaler is via optical from the digital transport
Impressively nice and sick at the same time. Enjoy :gs1000smile: (and ride safely ;) ) Car speakers or car headphones?
 
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Jan 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM Post #19,388 of 19,723
Using the optical input of the mscaler is advised by most, that is what you read and hear about. Not only does one prevent electric noise from entering the mscaler, it prevents the use of the USB chip that can have own issues. Therefore Rob says optical is reference and usb can at max match that.

That chart picture is only about the connections between mscaler and DAC.
There, near no one uses optical because optical is limited technology and we want to upscale above that technological limitation.

Mscaler comes to value by full upscaling ie x16. You don't pay for less than its full potential, right?
At x16 even a coax cant handle that, you need double coax connection.

Confusing about that chart is the black horizontal lines RED (BYPASS) it suggests input = output. Lets look at the lowest horizontal lack line. Suppose you upscale in a PC (with HQPLAYER for example) to 705 - 768 and lead that with usb cable into the mscaler. That chart suggests all mscaler outputs copy that, also 1 bcn or even optical. That is impossible.

Practically: you don't buy mscaler to upscale less than "white" ie x16. Would be a waste of money if less. This obliges the use of dual bnc.
For mitigating electrical noise and groundloop stuff (because it's not optical) people use heavily ferrited bnc cables and/or feed the mscaler with a veeery clean battery power.

Many people like myself promote to feed mscaler with bit perfect data meaning no pre upscaling in pc nor dsp nor volume treating... with optical. It can carry 192 files that cover almost everything out there as a source.

So theres little advantage using that chart. It shows what happens when you deviate from mscalers true purpose of use which is in short {white + double bnc} into a Chord DAC.
Mscaler doesn't jive extremely well with other brands dacs, it's not desinged nor supposed for that. Forget the chart 😉
Yup, I was using USB into the M scaler with an iFi Zen Stream streamer, it was sounding ok until I fired up my Bluesound Streamer via Toslink into M Scaler, then I realized again that Rob is right, it is so much warmer, the bass is fuller and overall less fatiguing. This makes me ask, what Streamer with USB out matches Toslink?
 
Jan 22, 2025 at 8:09 PM Post #19,389 of 19,723
Yup, I was using USB into the M scaler with an iFi Zen Stream streamer, it was sounding ok until I fired up my Bluesound Streamer via Toslink into M Scaler, then I realized again that Rob is right, it is so much warmer, the bass is fuller and overall less fatiguing. This makes me ask, what Streamer with USB out matches Toslink?
I have both 2Go/2Yu and an Innuos Zen mk3. The Innuos via USB sounds more to my taste than the Chord combo via toslink. However (there’s always an however), the 2Go/2Yu is cleaner and clearer sounding with better resolution in the bass, but the Innuos presents a far deeper and taller stage (especially with speakers) and is more dynamically alive. Differing price points, of course, but the Innuos has a wonderful app and it’s ripped my CD collection.
I would very much love a streamer with the best virtues of both! Perhaps the newest generation of Innuos will be the answer, with user choice of output modules adding Toslink (yes!). Or perhaps the upcoming TT series streamer will answer my prayers? Performance commensurate with HMS/TT2 and hopefully a dedicated app of excellence?
 
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Jan 22, 2025 at 9:04 PM Post #19,390 of 19,723
I have both 2Go/2Yu and an Innuos Zen mk3. The Innuos via USB sounds more to my taste than the Chord combo via toslink. However (there’s always an however), the 2Go/2Yu is cleaner and clearer sounding with better resolution in the bass, but the Innuos presents a far deeper and taller stage (especially with speakers) and is more dynamically alive. Differing price points, of course, but the Innuos has a wonderful app and it’s ripped my CD collection.
I would very much love a streamer with the best virtues of both! Perhaps the newest generation of Innuos will be the answer, with user choice of output modules adding Toslink (yes!). Or perhaps the upcoming TT series streamer will answer my prayers? Performance commensurate with HMS/TT2 and hopefully a dedicated app of excellence?
I agree, I'll definitely check out the TT streamer. This hobby never ends! 😂 😂 😂
 
Jan 23, 2025 at 12:09 AM Post #19,392 of 19,723
I have both 2Go/2Yu and an Innuos Zen mk3. The Innuos via USB sounds more to my taste than the Chord combo via toslink. However (there’s always an however), the 2Go/2Yu is cleaner and clearer sounding with better resolution in the bass, but the Innuos presents a far deeper and taller stage (especially with speakers) and is more dynamically alive. Differing price points, of course, but the Innuos has a wonderful app and it’s ripped my CD collection.
I would very much love a streamer with the best virtues of both! Perhaps the newest generation of Innuos will be the answer, with user choice of output modules adding Toslink (yes!). Or perhaps the upcoming TT series streamer will answer my prayers? Performance commensurate with HMS/TT2 and hopefully a dedicated app of excellence?
I read that this innuos mk3 has ultra low noise usb output and other special attentions.
Have you found differences in usb cables?
 
Jan 23, 2025 at 1:48 AM Post #19,393 of 19,723
I read that this innuos mk3 has ultra low noise usb output and other special attentions.
Have you found differences in usb cables?
Definitely, yes. I tried plenty of the AudioQuest between Cinnamon and Diamond at first and thought the differences subtle bit increasingly natural and free of glare. Then I used a full loom of Cardas Clear from wall to speaker so used that USB cable, too. Switching between the AudioQuest and Cardas cables was interesting; the AudioQuest more open and sparkling, the Cardas darker and with more weight.
I’ve settled on a full loom of Nordost Norse 2 cables and the Heimdall 2 usb. I’d very much like to try the Tyr 2 next.

I really love the Innuos and it’s currently the component I’ve owned the longest - 4 years - so that speaks to me about its sound, functionality and ease of use.
 
Jan 23, 2025 at 2:38 AM Post #19,394 of 19,723
I have tried many streamers, very expensive one’s, cheaper one’s. Everytime I came to the conclusion Toslink sounds best. Maybe because of the used usb conversion in the Mscaler itself?🤷🏻‍♂️

Toslink sounds more smooth, with the mscaler.

I know use toslink and send 192khz pcm
And dsd over pcm (dop) without issue. Used many cables, and the one with the less issues was the one included in the box
 
Jan 23, 2025 at 2:42 AM Post #19,395 of 19,723
Definitely, yes. I tried plenty of the AudioQuest between Cinnamon and Diamond at first and thought the differences subtle bit increasingly natural and free of glare. Then I used a full loom of Cardas Clear from wall to speaker so used that USB cable, too. Switching between the AudioQuest and Cardas cables was interesting; the AudioQuest more open and sparkling, the Cardas darker and with more weight.
I’ve settled on a full loom of Nordost Norse 2 cables and the Heimdall 2 usb. I’d very much like to try the Tyr 2 next.

I really love the Innuos and it’s currently the component I’ve owned the longest - 4 years - so that speaks to me about its sound, functionality and ease of use.
Thanks, shows there's a susceptability in usb transfer for audio and finding one's best fit.
Just installed a new but battery powered netswitch (netgear gs108, 34 euro) for my streamer, bits are bits 🤣😂
 
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