CHORD M-Scaler Review (Upsampler)

[Purité Audio]

Apparently, there's a new M-Scaler coming and maybe a top model dac as well. Head of Chord says the former takes the Dave into a higher (again) realm or words to that effect. I read this on Pink Fish Media while making way to the Bristol Show report, a forum I used to post extensively on when in the wildnerness until ten or more years back and the posters there now DO NOT like ASR and the sinad chasers of Chinese made gear it seems. I used to post there all the time, but there's no arguing with people who've never knowingly had their senses fooled as I/we have... Most of the fervour is Rega continuing their move up-market (Oh Gawd) and English Audio making re-imagined Leak valve amps by the loos of things (originals fetch silly money but are funky, charming sounding curiosities at best by today's standards just as my rebuilt quad II's are charmingly listenable but hardly 'high fidelity' really).

I still maintain a Chord pre-power combination at any price isn't going to get the best subjectively out of a Dave, but it needs someone else to possibly confirm or deny plus proper testing (yes @SIY I do understand, but it ain't gonna happen here I suspect unless Amir has things sent to him).

If you have spent a lot of money on equipment in the belief that it offers superior sound quality then you are never going to be overjoyed to hear that it is matched by an inexpensive alternative.
Keith

 

[SIY]

I still maintain a Chord pre-power combination at any price isn't going to get the best subjectively out of a Dave, but it needs someone else to possibly confirm or deny plus proper testing (yes @SIY I do understand, but it ain't gonna happen here I suspect unless Amir has things sent to him).

What do you mean by "subjectively?" The colloquial meaning in Audiophile Land: peeking, no controls? Or the correct meaning, human judgement ears-only? If the former, there's no such thing as "proper testing," whether by Amir, by me, by whomever. If the latter, it can be done by anyone who actually WANTS to do it.

 

[ahofer]

Head of Chord says the former takes the Dave into a higher (again) realm

Between PS Audio and these guys, our DACs must have us in some sort of tantric state of permanent orgasm.

 

[ahofer]

 

[tmtomh]

Apparently, there's a new M-Scaler coming and maybe a top model dac as well. Head of Chord says the former takes the Dave into a higher (again) realm or words to that effect.

There always has to be a higher realm it seems.

 

[Ken Tajalli]

There always has to be a higher realm it seems.

I follow Chord.
So far, I have not heard any new technology being offered.
The new device is more of a range-filler. meaning they have an Ultima range, so they are making a new mScaler to fit that range in terms of shape and feel.
The only new design yet to come out, is going to be an ADC for pro use.
As far as I know!

 

[Ken1951]

There always has to be a higher realm it seems.

Asgard for the win!

 

[Axo1989]

I’m trying to find something worthwhile in this wall of words but have failed. Get back to us when you have actual evidence of any sonic differences.

I wouldn't call it a wall of words. Looks more like a breezeway.

 

[VientoB]

Apparently, there's a new M-Scaler coming and maybe a top model dac as well. Head of Chord says the former takes the Dave into a higher (again) realm or words to that effect. I read this on Pink Fish Media while making way to the Bristol Show report, a forum I used to post extensively on when in the wildnerness until ten or more years back and the posters there now DO NOT like ASR and the sinad chasers of Chinese made gear it seems. I used to post there all the time, but there's no arguing with people who've never knowingly had their senses fooled as I/we have... Most of the fervour is Rega continuing their move up-market (Oh Gawd) and English Audio making re-imagined Leak valve amps by the loos of things (originals fetch silly money but are funky, charming sounding curiosities at best by today's standards just as my rebuilt quad II's are charmingly listenable but hardly 'high fidelity' really).

I still maintain a Chord pre-power combination at any price isn't going to get the best subjectively out of a Dave, but it needs someone else to possibly confirm or deny plus proper testing (yes @SIY I do understand, but it ain't gonna happen here I suspect unless Amir has things sent to him).

I have a feeling since Hifi Wigwam closed a lot of people went to Pink Fish Media from there. I got a 1 month ban recently for a thread on DACs sounding the same.

 

[Purité Audio]

I have a feeling since Hifi Wigwam closed a lot of people went to Pink Fish Media from there. I got a 1 month ban recently for a thread on DACs sounding the same.

I got banned permanently for stating fact and telling the truth, the owner told me ‘ I know you can be better than this’ wtf`!
I believe he does it because it’s his only revenue stream and again I believe Google don’t like discord, so a puerile forum is a profitable forum.
Keith

 

[VientoB]

I got banned permanently for stating fact and telling the truth, the owner told me ‘ I know you can be better than this’ wtf`!
I believe he does it because it’s his only revenue stream and again I believe Google don’t like discord, so a puerile forum is a profitable forum.
Keith

Yeah I get the distinct impression forum owners get pressure from manufacturers and retailers.

 

[tw99]

I have a feeling since Hifi Wigwam closed a lot of people went to Pink Fish Media from there. I got a 1 month ban recently for a thread on DACs sounding the same.

There's little point in posting objective content on PFM, most of the guys on there are as bonkers as anyone on Head-Fi, and "trust their ears" (aka have their fingers in them).

I read a link to a music server build that someone on there recommended, amongst other bizarre things it specified a particular type of SATA cable, which supposedly sounded different depending on which direction you installed it. It was up to the user to decide which way he preferred. You just can't reason with people who believe that nonsense.

 

[Purité Audio]

But it did host the single biggest fraud ( certification required) in hifi history, so not all bad.
Keith

 

[Jimbob54]

But it did host the single biggest fraud ( certification required) in hifi history, so not all bad.
Keith

For the unenlightened was ........?

 

[Purité Audio]

Essentially the forum’s favourite designer John Westlake proposed a new super dac based on his Audiolab Mdac.
Many contributed but whenever a deadline approached there was always a problem or an improved version was proffered , nothing ever actually appeared.
As well as the dac he took deposits £3k a pop for a VFET amp design there was also a USB detox device.
That was what nine years ago, the total collected I am not sure anyway knows the full amount but £200k has been mentioned.
To rub salt into the wounds John Westlake has designed a dac for Prject, a usb de-tox for Stack audio and just recently an amp for Cannor.
Nine years, a few members have actually died waiting.
Keith

 

[Jimbob54]

Essentially the forum’s favourite designer John Westlake proposed a new super dac based on his Audiolab Mdac.
Many contributed but whenever a deadline approached there was always a problem or an improved version was proffered , nothing ever actually appeared.
As well as the dac he took deposits £3k a pop for a VFET amp design there was also a USB detox device.
That was what nine years ago, the total collected I am not sure anyway knows the full amount but £200k has been mentioned.
To rub salt into the wounds John Westlake has designed a dac for Prject, a usb de-tox for Stack audio and just recently an amp for Cannor.
Nine years, a few members have actually died waiting.
Keith

I'll leave it at that- wouldnt want that controversy kicking off over here too. Cheers.

 

[ivayvr]

There is a whole industry of people trying to make other people stupid and make a few pennies along the way!

 

[A Surfer]

Good god yes. You should read the absolutely ridiculous, no sorry to be harsh, rather moronic marketing drivel that Astell & Kern put out. I just now finished reading their marketing for a new DAP on sale. It was advertised at Moon Audio and actually had a rush to preorder so you don't miss out warning. As if.

And then, in typical Moon Audio fashion they recommend their $300 premium USB cable. As the saying goes, a fool and their money are soon parted. Sigh.

 

[A Surfer]

I would love the membership here to put our money together, pay for everything to get some really confident Head-fi members to participate in a proper listening test. Fly them in and out setup something like one of those ridiculously expensive DAPs and compare it against a decent dongle. Driving an appropriate headphone of course and film the experiment. I would be shocked if the results weren't a serious ego hit.

Not that I enjoy the idea of shaming people, but really, the level of gullibility in the audiophile community is astounding.

 

[VientoB]

I would love the membership here to put our money together, pay for everything to get some really confident Head-fi members to participate in a proper listening test. Fly them in and out setup something like one of those ridiculously expensive DAPs and compare it against a decent dongle. Driving an appropriate headphone of course and film the experiment. I would be shocked if the results weren't a serious ego hit.

Not that I enjoy the idea of shaming people, but really, the level of gullibility in the audiophile community is astounding.

You wouldn't get anyone like Darko agreeing to take part in that.