Hugo M Scaler by Chord Electronics - The Official Thread

[Ciggavelli]

Ah yes as renowned philosopher Descartes once said.. 'cogito, ergo sum' i.e. I spent, therefore I benefit.

That must be why the Susvaras sound so good to you

Spoiler

I own a pair myself too.

 

[koven]

That must be why the Susvara sounds so good to you

Spoiler

I own a pair myself too.

Nearly spat out my water.. Touché, my friend, touché...

 

[kennyb123]

No offense to Rob, but he also says RFI and BNC cables don’t make a difference either.

He’s not an unbiased source, and has something to gain by downplaying these improvements

I don't think it's fair to say that he's downplaying these improvements for the reason you suggest. My interpretation is that when it comes to what's going on inside the box, Rob's a super-genius. My ears repeatedly confirm that his WTA filter brings music to life better than any alternative approach. But as far as that which flows into his boxes, my ears keep finding massive disagreement with Rob. Power supplies like the Farad Super3 brought tremendous improvements to the HMS and TT2. And massive improvements can also be found when improving what's upstream of the HMS - like music servers and USB cables.

One thing I've learned about individuals who are geniuses at something in particular is that there's a balancing out that occurs that makes them normal and just like the rest of us on things outside their particular area of genius. Just like the rest of us they have biases and blind spots.

Don't take this wrong - I'm a huge fan of Rob's and am thankful each and every day for the joy his components bring me. But I'm also thankful each day that I didn't heed his advice on power supplies, music servers, etc.

 

[Ciggavelli]

I don't think it's fair to say that he's downplaying these improvements for the reason you suggest. My interpretation is that when it comes to what's going on inside the box, Rob's a super-genius. My ears repeatedly confirm that his WTA filter brings music to life better than any alternative approach. But as far as that which flows into his boxes, my ears keep finding massive disagreement with Rob. Power supplies like the Farad Super3 brought tremendous improvements to the HMS and TT2. And massive improvements can also be found when improving what's upstream of the HMS - like music servers and USB cables.

One thing I've learned about individuals who are geniuses at something in particular is that there's a balancing out that occurs that makes them normal and just like the rest of us on things outside their particular area of genius. Just like the rest of us they have biases and blind spots, but they can maybe be a bit more stubborn and set in their ways that the rest of us normals.

Don't take this wrong - I'm a huge fan of Rob's and am thankful each and every day for the joy his components bring me. But I'm also thankful each day that I didn't heed his advice on power supplies, music servers, etc.

Yes, good points. I too want to mention how much I respect and appreciate Rob’s work. I know my previous comments could be interpreted as rude, and I apologize if that was the case.
I love my M-Scaler and DAVE and can’t wait for future equipment he designs

 

[ZappaMan]

My mtt2 also sounds great today, better then yesterday and nothings changed, except me perhaps and my environment, it is an enigma. Actually i went to bed early last night, and perhaps this is a cheap way to improve sq!

 

[Mediahound]

In other news, Chord Electronics now has a new USA & Canada distributor:

https://soundorg.com/news/chord-ele...MqYRUe8d3oHdyZQRA5D98sqFMVOzST7hA77mhAKCb1-Hc

The Sound Organisation, US importer and distributor for many leading UK high-end audio brands, today announced they have partnered with Chord Electronics Ltd to distribute the Kent-based company’s innovative products in the United States and Canada.

I wonder if this will be better distribution. I had a heck of a time sourcing my M Scaler and TT2 new after they came out. It took about 6 months and then I think it may have just been good luck.

 

[kennyb123]

Yes, good points. I too want to mention how much I respect and appreciate Rob’s work. I know my previous comments could be interpreted as rude, and I apologize if that was the case.

I appreciate you clarifying because Rob is a gift to us all. Clearly his mission has been to improve our enjoyment of the music. Every recommendation he makes - even those I disagree with - all have that goal in mind.

 

[AndrewOld]

I don't think it's fair to say that he's downplaying these improvements for the reason you suggest. My interpretation is that when it comes to what's going on inside the box, Rob's a super-genius. My ears repeatedly confirm that his WTA filter brings music to life better than any alternative approach. But as far as that which flows into his boxes, my ears keep finding massive disagreement with Rob. Power supplies like the Farad Super3 brought tremendous improvements to the HMS and TT2. And massive improvements can also be found when improving what's upstream of the HMS - like music servers and USB cables.

One thing I've learned about individuals who are geniuses at something in particular is that there's a balancing out that occurs that makes them normal and just like the rest of us on things outside their particular area of genius. Just like the rest of us they have biases and blind spots.

Don't take this wrong - I'm a huge fan of Rob's and am thankful each and every day for the joy his components bring me. But I'm also thankful each day that I didn't heed his advice on power supplies, music servers, etc.

At the end of the day you have spent a stupefying amount of money on servers, cables, supports and exotica but you only have a TT2. Wouldn’t it have been wiser to have bought a DAVE? Or are you saying a wire can make a bigger difference?

 

[GreenBow]

All I can say is that it supports WiFi, which is even necessary to install apps (such as the Neutron player). However, I don't have WiFi myself, so don't really know if it can receive a music stream from a server – but would think so. On the other hand, the M11 (Pro) can serve as a server itself – think 1 TB SD card or 2 TB external SSD.

I think M11 Pro does receive music stream via wifi. (Not just over Bluetooth.)

Post #1,220 of 1,223

The next three replies attempt to answer my question.

 

[JaZZ]

Thanks, noticed it!

 

[yanfeng]

I have a TT2 and HMS combo on loan, but I can't tell the difference between a single TT2 and the combo, even with 44/16 files. I know everybody is so overwhelmed by the combo, but is there anyone who feels the same as me?

My ears are not super good, but not super bad either. I can hear the difference between a TT2 and a Hugo 2, and it’s pretty big.

 

[Mediahound]

I have a TT2 and HMS combo on loan, but I can't tell the difference between a single TT2 and the combo, even with 44/16 files. I know everybody is so overwhelmed by the combo, but is there anyone who feels the same as me?

The differences can range from subtle to extreme, depending on your own hearing and system. Vocals is one area where they just seem a lot more real and alive with the M Scaler for me. The space and details around instruments is also much improved.

Of course make sure the M Scaler is actually sending it's full bitrate to the TT2, the third LED from the left should be lit white.

 

[yanfeng]

The differences can range from subtle to extreme, depending on your own hearing and system. Vocals is one area where they just seem a lot more real and alive with the M Scaler for me. The space around instruments is also much improved.

Of course make sure the M Scaler is actually sending it's full bitrate to the TT2, the third LED from the left should be lit white.

Thank you for the reply. The third LED is white. I am also considering a single Dave, but there is no demo unit on loan. My main headphone is HD820 and I am not planning an amp. In that case will a single Dave be better than a TT2/HMS combo? If it’s as big a difference as from Hugo 2 to TT2, which I can tell easily, then I’d definitely go for Dave.

 

[Mediahound]

will a single Dave be better than a TT2/HMS combo?

I personally prefer the TT2/HMS over a single DAVE but others may feel differently.

 

[yanfeng]

I personally prefer the TT2/HMS over a single DAVE but others may feel differently.

Ah how I wish you say the otherwise which I am leaning to...