Chord M Scaler on more affordable DACs

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Chord Hugo M-Scaler using the Chord DAVE DAC. I promised to also do testing using more affordable DACs. Time to fulfil this promise.
Contents of this video
00:00 - Intro
00:21 - Start of program
02:05 - The WTA filter
03:18 - How tested?
04:28 - Sound quality with Brooklyn
06:14 - Sound quality with Ares II
07:03 - Aboutmeasurements
08:30 - Some thoughts
10:09 - The wrap
Manufacturers:
chordelectronics.co.uk/
mytek.audio/home
www.denafrips.com
M Scaler lent by:
x-fi.nl
Relevant videos:
Review Chord M Scaler: • Chord Hugo TT M Scaler...
Review Mytek Brooklyn DAC: • REVIEW: MYTEK BROOKLYN...
Review Denafrips Ares II DAC: • Denafrips Ares II R-2R...
Review Network Acoustics ENO Streaming System: • Network Acoustics ENO ...
Description Ayre Acoustic AX-5 Twenty amp: • Ayre Acoustics AX-5 Tw...
About my reference setups: • About my reference set...
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My book: • File Based Audio aka S...
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My reference sets:
About Questions: • About questions
Q&A: Which device is better?: • Q&A: Which device is b...

[@ktakeshi17]

Thank you Hans , always love your work.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thank you too!

[@edverbeek6292]

Glad you are back.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

👍🏼

[@ulaby724]

Thank you Hans. Brilliant reviews. Much appreciated.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Glad you like them!

[@jpgsf1978]

Glad you are feeling better, Hans !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏

[@truman4956]

Hans, I appreciate your technical knowledge and ability to communicate it to the viewer.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

🙏🏽

[@papermate8773]

Thank you for including the everyday Ares II.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You bet

[@TheSineAssociation]

Thanks ones again Hans for an amazingly clear review. What do you think about using the M Scaler with the BlueSound Node? with any other DAC like the Hugo 2 or the Hugo TT 2, of corse.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It will definitively bring improvement. As will a higher class streamer.

[@vmpty]

It would be interesting to compare the sound upsampling from a computer running Roon Core to a streamer and a DAC vs the hardware upsampling of the M Scaler.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, it isn't (I've done it). It's like not every car with a turbo performs like a Porsche 911 Turbo.

[@haimsheffer6820]

Hi Hans. What do you say about upsampling to DSD? I do that with my DAC - IFI PRO IDSD and results sound very good to my ears

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It depends on your DAC if it is beneficial to the sound quality.

[@ericstefko4852]

Great content I have a Sony XA-5400ES SACD player that outputs to the Holo May. Do you think that using a Digital Transport connected to the DAC would sound any different ?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It sure will

[@dangeorgecommunications]

Thank you Hans for this excellent video: "I can safely say, that any good DAC costing over 2,000 Euros will benefit from the Hugo M Scaler."

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You are welcome!

[@RearEntry]

Great video! Still would love to see a dCS with an m scaler review, especially the Lina Dac and how it compares to the TT2

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

You and me both!

[@chetb.7182]

Have you tested the MScaler against the Resampler option of your Auralic Aries G2? If yes, what is the difference, technical and in sound? I am using the Aries G2.1 in combination with the Mytek Brooklyn DAC and resampling PCM data to 352.8 / 384 kHz makes definitely a lot of a difference.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The Chord M Scaler and the Auralic Sirius G2.1 are in a completely different league!

[@DigitalBliss69]

Great success 👌

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks

[@momentsofbloom]

again, a review very well done, thank you hans! i do upscaling with my roon core, and already hear a clear improvement with my t&a dac 8, connected by usb2. is this comparable to what the m-scaler does? considering the 4250€, it can‘t be that simple? ;-)

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

It’s nowhere near comparable!!! If Roon did it equally good - or even 75% - I wouldn’t have bought the M Scaler of course.

[@momentsofbloom]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel in your first m-scaler video you have shown that a special algorithm is used. do you really need all this hardware around it, or could a software like roon do it the same way if it had that algorithm - an i7 should have plenty of computing power?! after all, upsampling happens completely in the digital domain, doesn‘t it? i guess it‘s just hard for me to grasp why one would need this expensive piece of hardware? and if, why not build it directly into the dac?

[@thiagotrevisandesouza6895]

Very intersting !

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Thanks!

[@crangaz]

I would like to see a review of Chord Hugo TT2 with and without the M-Scaler.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I'll see what I can do.

[@allansh828]

I hope Chord can shrink MScaler down to the size of 2Go and make it work with Hugo 3.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That will happen in due time since chips get faster and cheaper over time.

[@Xerxesro1]

Thanks for the review, very interesting. Would you be able to compare the M Scaler with Auralic Sirius G2.1?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have tried but due to the different ways of connecting and the available DAC's I was not sure what was due to the upsclarers, what due to the interface and what due to the DAC's. For instance the Auralic could be connected to the Aries G2 streamer over L-Link that syncs the clock in both devices. The Chord M Scaler uses dual BNC connection that goes up to 768 kHz. And so on.

[@Xerxesro1]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I understand, thank you

[@vmat377]

I'd like to see this M Scaler compared with the Auralic Sirius 2.1. Anyway, thanks again for the highly informative review!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have tested both but comparing on sound quality alone is difficult since Auralic works best with the proprietary link between the Aries G2 and the Sirius G2.1 while the M Scaler works best with the 2 x BNC connection.

[@vmat377]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Perhaps a potential video series for the futures. Auralic stack vs Chord stack.

[@pedroluisguillemain5683]

Hi Hans Nice video, thanks. If you can, please ask to Magna Hi Fi to lend you an Audio-GD DI-20HE DDC for review. You won't be dissapointed. It's an incredible upgrade for the price. Cheers

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I will check it out

[@tokobjork]

Would be interesting to hear your opinion about ENO Dual BNC Data Cables with M-Scaler and Dave, or another Chord dac.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

They sound very good, but I haven't done deep research into the cabling.

[@davidbenson5371]

Excellent review Hans. Based on your reviews I have in my system a Bonn N8, Roon Nucleus, Sonore opticalModule and opticalRendu, SBooster Mk II and a Mytek Brookyln Dac+. You seem impressed with the M scaler when used with the Mytek, glad to hear this as I am considering the M scaler. I use Tidal, when upscaling with the M scaler will that effect MQA tracks on the Mytek? I noticed you have now gone to the Ferrum Hypos power supply for the Mytek, did it make such an improvement on the Mytek's performance that is warrants the cost of the Ferrum replacing the Sbooster?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

When you use the M Scaler, you kill the MQA info. But you do lay less burden on the reconstruction filters in the Mytek. If your software player (Roon, Audirvana) allows for the first unfold done in the software and you use the M Scaler, there will be sound improvement. The Ferrum sound a lot better than the SBooster. Whether these improvements are worth the money to you, I can't judge.

[@davidbenson5371]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel If you were to choose which would you add first to the Mytek Brookyln Dac+, would it be the Ferrum Hypos or the M Scaler?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The M Scaler

[@davidbenson5371]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel One more question if you please Hans. If you use the pass thru on the M Scaler with Mytek would you then be able to utilize the MQA feature? Thanks

[@bratsson]

Can you please tell the difference to upscale with your computer and all the power it has and an Mscaler? Please don't say that the Mscaler is much better sounding but tell us why there is differences in upscaling on a computer Vs Mscaler. Thank you.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The true quality of an upsampler is in the algorithms used and the quality of the digital interfacing. Even is you could be able to use the same algorithms in a computer and an upsampler, it's most likely the upsampler would provide a cleaner signal to the DAC and thus sound better.

[@Xerxesro1]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Surely the algorithm, such as those provided by HQ Player, would run on the same computer as Roon, so this is probably a moot point. There is also a closed form filter with 1m taps included in HQ Player. However, the issue is the compute power and efficiency. FPGAs can be pregrammed to do exactly what the algorithm needs, and nothing more, and they will be very efficient at that. General computing CPUs such as those in NUCs are highly unoptimised for these algorithms and because of that they will be slower and will use a lot more power. You will also have noticeable delays when you start playback, particularly with long filters.

[@DigitalBliss69]

@@Xerxesro1 sorry but HQ players algorithm is inferior to the WTA filter.

[@Canadian_Eh_I]

@@Xerxesro1 Just started using HQ player, big improvement for a couple hundred bones! Lets not let perfect be the enemy of good :)

[@VisciousHippo]

Very useful Hans. I had considered an m-scalar with my denafrips Pontus, but after your review I am guessing the benefits are not worth it. I will have to save up for the Hugo TT2+m-scalar together… Could you do me a favour? I notice you use the Node 2i in your reference 2. I have perceived the quality of an SSD (Samsung T7) using .wav files connected directly into the usb socket of the Node 2i is noticeably improved over streaming (from Amazon music HD). I perceive more attack, ie better transients. If you have time, are you able to relay your thoughts on this. A second opinion is always worthwhile in this hobby! Thank you for the great videos and glad you are back!

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

The. Pontus is quite a step better than the Ares. Why not buy the M Scaler now, see what it does and if you're not satisfied, save some more for the Hugo TT?

[@VisciousHippo]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Oh no I thought you’d saved me £3500, but now I’m not sure again! 😂

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

@@VisciousHippo sorry😌

[@ruudstet3186]

Does the m scaler, in your opinion, give the brooklyn that 'engaging listen' that chord dac's have? Or does It stay it's detailed but some what neutral self?

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Neither. It makes the Brooklyn sound better.

[@ruudstet3186]

Thanks for your reply. I'll take my brooklyn bridge to a chord dealer to get a demo. As always: thanks for your insightfull reviews.

[@mat_v]

@@ruudstet3186 did you ever got around to getting the scaler? I already have one and have been thinking about buying a mytek dac+ to see how a fully balanced source will sound on my balanced system.

[@ruudstet3186]

@@mat_v no, I have not. The importer was far from helpful in organising a demo. Party because he thinks combining with a mytek is a waste of the scaler. And I was't ready to switch to a chord dac. And so much is happening on the dac front that I'm in doubt whether the scaler (which for me costs a substantial amount) will be yesterdays technology in a year or so. So I'm still saying to myself that I don't miss what I have't heard.... 😄

[@clivesilver463]

The Chord upscale is something I'm very interested in, I can afford the upscale but not a dave , my question is will the chord upscale married to a chord cutest work. Thank you for your great channel best on U tube for audio equipment.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

I have not reviewed the Qutest so I can comment on sound quality, but the combination is often made.

[@clivesilver463]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel Many thanks think the combo would work.

[@josschreur6992]

Hallo Hans. Is a NOS dac and an m scaler a logical combination. It seams a bit contra dictionary to me.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

NOS DACs are preferred by some because they don't like the (simple) upsampling done by low bit converters. The quality of upsampling the M Scaler offers will be appreciated by even those people. BTW the Ares II does offer upsampling and non-oversampling which can be set by the user.

[@presidentpotato222]

Hans what do you think of a Hugo2 with the M-Scaler ? I own a Hugo2 and Lumin D2 ( D2 only is used to stream from ) .. was thinking of an Upgrade path .. would i be better off getting a used Mola Mola Dac or Denafrips Terminator + and selling the Lumin D2 and Hugo all together .. and getting a standalone streamer for use with my Roon Core on a NimitraS ..thanks Love your videos

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

That is a fine combo for the money .

[@frankdoyle]

Hi Hans, love the videos. do you think it is enough of a sound improvement to pick it 9/10 time on a blind test? Trying to figure out cost vs benefit

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Are you kidding??? Of course. Noot that I need it. Watch kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3iZfYZvi6mNosksi=ElCjuBJYJ6Fe0L6O

[@patrickmccrank8414]

So the Mscaler is basically an external clock??

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

No, it's an upscaler

[@patrickmccrank8414]

@@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel I guess I'm not sure what the difference is. Wouldn't it then be better to just use the P.S. audio "perfect wave direct stream" DAC? It's supposed to raise all inputs to DSD. Isn't DSD the best quality. BTW I support this channel because of your unbiased reviews. Thanks for your ongoing efforts to educate us.

[@foraslan5801]

I love you man, I really do. And I love your videos........but 4,250 euros is NOT "relatively affordable". Thanks for the english subtitles, by the way, they really help. I can read as I watch.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

Relatively affordable mean here in relation to other scalers. Not in relation to your budget 😁

[@davidhardaker192]

Oh how I miss the 2000 euro limit, then you were reviewing stuff many people would consider buying. Now you have gone down the rabbit hole. I doubt any of your listeners will ever buy the mscaler, not because it doesn't improve the sound, but because if you have 4000 euros to spend there are better options.

[@TheHansBeekhuyzenChannel]

As I said in the video, I will not abandon reviewing more affordable equipment, but currently it is a bit difficult to ger review samples of interesting products. Corona has deregulated not only supplies but also transport (that became 3 to 5 times more expensive. Apart from that two important chip factories in Japan burned down...

[@billfife6569]

Conversely now that I have upgraded my system to a very high standard,I find that I am now not as interested in many reviews because the equipment is inferior to mine. There are many reviews of all price ranges in equipment. I welcome high end reviews.

[@gibgun]

@@billfife6569 hear hear!