CHORD M-Scaler Review (Upsampler)

[Music1969]

It was paired with Chord DAC, the Hugo 2.

Can you redo full Hugo2 measurements?

You did it long time ago right after getting your AP

I imagine you're testing is better now than then

 

[MZKM]

Let's go back to basics and see if the M-scaler is doing what it is supposed to be doing by running our filter test with the D70s:

It is indeed. Both 2X and 4X modes provide an ultra sharp response. However they do so at the cost of higher noise floor/lower attenuation.

Shouldn’t it be labeled 48kHz?

 

[theREALdotnet]

Interesting that the M Scaler appears to produce jitter. That might make it a worthwhile addition to a test bench

Interesting too that the D70 seems really bad at handling that jitter, I thought jitter rejection was what makes a good DAC. Unless I’m misinterpreting the results.

 

[AndreaT]

How much was the “high-end Nordost cable”?
$ 1,500?!?…just to add useless to useless perhaps?

 

[amirm]

Shouldn’t it be labeled 48kHz?

Yes. I will fix.

 

[ayane]

300dB? As in 1E15

It's literally impossible to have SPLs higher than 194 dB in air at sea level. Sound is longitudinal, so the rarefaction of those waves can't get lower than vacuum pressure. There will be shockwave distortion.

More importantly, SPLs that high will result in instant death.

Bonus: the noise floor of air is about -24 dB SPL, so even the maximum possible dynamic range doesn't get anywhere close to 300 dB.

 

[amirm]

Can you redo full Hugo2 measurements?

I am not sure if I have time but will try....

 

[don'ttrustauthority]

I don't find it takes any time to become familiar with the light scheme on the Mojo2. After a few hours with it I had it figured out, including the graphic equalizer which operates on some combination of the buttons and colors. Really is a simple thing to master. $700 for a dac/amp is a lot, and it didn't perform as well as desktop gear to these ears, but it did drive the DCA Stealth fully without balanced outputs, so there's that.

 

[BDWoody]

It's literally impossible to have SPLs higher than 194 dB in air at sea level.

His claim is that he can hear distortion at -300dBfs, or something like that if I remember right.

I'm not surprised it doesn't do anything audible, but I am surprised it isn't a good performer (in a measurements sense), for what it is supposed to be, if that makes sense.

 

[Doodski]

I don't find it takes any time to become familiar with the light scheme on the Mojo2. After a few hours with it I had it figured out, including the graphic equalizer which operates on some combination of the buttons and colors. Really is a simple thing to master.

Good to read that there is some logic to the controls layout. The premise that I have for detesting the system that CHORD uses is it should not require any learning curve to speak of and it is a cost saving measure that eliminates the usual display and controls that would be associated with a proper and functional system. CHORD is cost scrimping on a high end unit.

 

[Sanlitun]

Now do DCS Lina

 

[Doodski]

Now do DCS Lina

This looks snake oil'ishy too.

 

[Universal Cereal Bus]

We have the usual lightshow of buttons

I'm looking forward to their Cronenberg Edition DAC.

 

[Matias]

His claim is that he can hear distortion at -300dBfs, or something like that if I remember right.

And for reference, the Shoutometer.

The Shoutometer

We've all seen the Sound Pressure Level decibel reference tables where you have "quiet room", "chainsaw", "jet engine" and so on. While that is handy for estimating increased loudness in decibles, it didn't help me when thinking about the measurement levels obtained around here when measuring...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[SoundsGood2Me]

Thanks Amirm, you point out the good, the bad, and the snake oil.
And show us how to differentiate the three!

 

[audiotron]

$6000 coaster.

 

[Blumlein 88]

His claim is that he can hear distortion at -300dBfs, or something like that if I remember right.

I'm not surprised it doesn't do anything audible, but I am surprised it isn't a good performer (in a measurements sense), for what it is supposed to be, if that makes sense.

To be even more fair, I think his claim is to hear differences in filters that only differ at the -300 db level. Or so I recall without going back to listen to his talks. But yeah, he might as well say -1000 db for all the credibility it has.

I do disagree on this device with others. I think it is attractive. A very pretty piece of gear. Too bad it is somewhere between making no difference, and making a difference for the worse.

 

[Doodski]

To be even more fair, I think his claim is to hear differences in filters that only differ at the -300 db level. Or so I recall without going back to listen to his talks. But yeah, he might as well say -1000 db for all the credibility it has.

He really did step into a big cow pie when he made that -300dB level claim.

 

[JSmith]

JSmith

 

[gvl]

Anyone who can’t live without a million tap filter should consider HQ Player at a fraction of the cost and more functionality.