Hi everyone,
In the last two months, I tested the M Scaler in a couple of different setups and I think finally I figured out what it does with the sound. After I received the TT2 I had the same impression as some of you guys, that it doesn’t do anything but it dose.
So first of all in the first month I had only the stock BNC cables and was running the M Scaler with Schiit Yggdrasil A2, Chord Mojo and Hugo TT2.
With Schiit Yggdrasil on 192 kHz max sample rate, everything was clearer, more focused and precise, and the soundstage was a little bigger.
Using the Mojo at 384 kHz I had the impression that with M Scaler sound was more rounded on the edges and more 3D layering. The tonality was softer, like using a tube amp.
(most of my listening was made using AudioFly AF180 IEMs, Hifiman HE1000se, and Meze Empyrean).
With TT2 I could do fast A/B comparison using M Scaler (double BNC) and simple optic input from MacBook Pro (I equalized the volume and the TT2 remote help me switch fast between imputes). My first impression was that at 192 kHz sample, there was no difference between M Scaler and upsample using only Audirvana from Macbook. The sound was just a little smoother on M Scaler but slower. At the max sample of 768 kHz, I didn’t like the sound. When fast comparing it seems the same in detail, imaging but when listening for a long time something was not right. I couldn’t find what. TT2 is a remarkable DAC full of recording room details retrieval and good tonality (a hint of V shape sound is present depending on the unit).
After I introduce the Wave Stone BNC, I start observing with ease what the M Scaler was doing.
The most obvious setup was using TT2 and IEMs. On live recordings like Ariana Grande Vivo live (
Ariana Grande - Dangerous Woman (Vevo Presents)), using M Scaler on max 768 kHz, the sound was more around my head, coming from behind and from the side, and the stage was closer, bigger. Bypassing the M Scaler, all the stereo presentation moved in front and at a big distance. With M Scaler in the chain, it was like you are there at the event in the second row. It was a very very cool effect, I was amazed. Using just one BNC at 384 kHz had the same effect maybe a little smaller. The effect disappears when the sample rate is at 192 kHz or low.
So I listen to the same thing using He1000se and had a surprise. With TOTL full-size open headphones this effect of around your head and a close stage like you're there is rendered without M Scaler. Adding the M Scaler in the chain moved the whole stage even closer and this effect was strange. All the front vocals or instruments were in my face and a lot of them appeared to cut my head in two. It was like you are entering too far with your head in the recording. Also, there was a perception of empty space left and right from the central singer and all the orchestra was behind my ears. This effect was also the same with Meze Empyrean and Sennheiser HD800.
I tried the TT2 and M Scaler at some friends on a couple of expensive speaker systems and they were very impressed. At 384 kHz and 768 kHz, the effect of the whole stereo scene coming closer was there. The sound was decoupling from speakers with more ease and it appeared more live.
I don’t know if listening to songs using this effect is a good thing or not. It alters the originally intended presentation. Especially in very expensive headphones, it seems a bad thing from my perspective.
These are my personal findings and impressions so please see if you guys also are heading these things.
