Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

I enjoy the MScaler and without it things don’t seem to sound right anymore, great device that transforms ripped CDs and more.

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Great news and interesting indeed, since the cost of the Qutest is considerably lower than the Mscaler although I appreciate that it isn’t an uncommon pairing.

At the meantime, I continue to slum it with the QBD76. It still sounds glorious though.

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I know the feeling… when I took the MScaler out and the TT2 was on it’s own, it felt more digital and lost all the smoothness, rhythm and realness. It only lasted a day with the TT2 on it’s ow. The funny thing is, the TT2 on it’s own is excellent so it really does show how much the MScaler does.

However, there is more than one way to skin a rabbit. The MScaler effect… smooth, timing and realness etc can be achieved from the HQPlayer although may sound slightly different due to the different filters/shapers available. By the time I hit 3 weeks with no M Scaler and hadn’t missed it I knew I was onto something. I just stopped trying to make it sound exactly like the M Scaler and focused on finding the best sound for me.

Sounds great, M Scaler without the cost, what’s not to love. Well… not so easy. Think of two performance sports cars, they do the same thing but get there in different ways. With HQPlayer it does sound better over a network rather than direct so you need a NAA endpoint. You also need to be using USB connection to get the max upscaling, although I enjoy 384 on speakers for it’s slightly warmer tones but prefer 768 with Empyrean.

At this point, HQPlayer has lost a lot of customers who don’t want USB, NAA endpoint or the extra experimentation to get it sounding great. HQPlayer and M Scaler can do the same thing but, the M Scaler is just a lot easier to implement. It’s only downside is controlling the added noise from the M Scaler which isn’t a problem with HQPlayer. oh, and the cost. At the moment I have stashed that money to one side until I decide whether I want to try the Dave.

I’d say M Scaler is right for 80% of the time but the other 20% can enjoy the same perks with a little extra effort.

I know this may have been covered before. How does the Qutest Mscaler compare to a bare Hugo TT2

I listened to the Hugo MK1 a few years ago. I felt it lacked a bit of drive compared to an NDX. I ended up with the Ndac and ps.
Are the mk2 models different- do they have the prat bounce etc?

Not sure if anyone here has done the comparison. The Qutest is a great DAC, very detailed and I’d imagine the M Scaler will smooth out and refine it so it doesn’t have as much digital edge compared to when it’s on its own.

The difference between the Qutest and TT2 without any M Scaler I have done… and it is significant. The TT2 carries more weight in the bass, very punchy tight bass with a bigger soundstage. The TT2 has more detail but it’s really the soundstage, imaging, extra warmth and slam in the bass that is really noticeable.

I’d say get a demo if you can to be sure as the Qutest is a mighty performer and some prefer its tone over the TT.

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No need to get defensive

Just pointing the engineering facts

Ears and eyes can be deceived.

You do realise that you moved towards an amplifier that uses switch mode power supplies yet you want try and change the PSU in your Chord source therefore cancelling your warranty

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The act of changing the power supply doesn’t void the warranty. Rob regularly used power banks etc with M Scaler and TT2. Inside the DACs are detectors that blow out if the power (v) goes beyond what it was designed to receive. If a fault develops and this is blown, then your warranty won’t cover but if something else fails and it hasn’t blown the detector then the warranty does cover. That’s why I was asking about the V measurement of the LPS… and also why I maxed out at 12v with power banks with the MScaler etc.

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In my humble view the supplied PSU which comes which the chord products are producing superb sound quality in my 2 Naim systems

Such replacements of the chord PSU is in my thinking taking up money which could be used on important upgrades like power lines or superlumina interconnects

You take your chances and pays your money.

Rob Watts can easily repair his Mscaler, but can you ?

Also he loves to take his Mscaler on flights with his huge battery pack but personally it’s just too much hassle for me.

Can’t argue with that, I still use mine on my TT2. Power bank with an M Scaler though isn’t a problem provided you stay clear of 15v… 9-12v is all that is needed according to Rob.

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@NO-QUARTER Google is your friend. I had no idea about vLANs, Ubiquiti routers or UniFi managed switches but just googled the hell out of it and gave it a go. For the cost of a Raspberry Pi, it would be a really good experiment. You can also use them as a NAA endpoint for HQPlayer, Roon as well as other things. Useful thing to play around with and get to know

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I wasn’t being defensive, just irritated and condescended to.

Hi Toon,

What is your main music diet?

M

From everything I’ve read it seems that the MScaler benefit depends on the feeding source, therefore it may well be that this difference will likewise.

I live on quite a varied diet but spend a lot of time consuming Jazz, Electronic, Vocal acoustic, Folk / indie with a bit of blues, pop and classical. As with hardware, I’ll try anything and see if I like it.

One that will make you laugh is the The Gereg by The Hu. Mongolian band… the missus thinks I’ve lost it, probably right :joy:

Hi @Toonartist ,

I do think that musical diet can make a difference when assessing equipment. Some genres, and here I am thinking of harder rock, can be far less forgiving. With Jazz & Classical singers generally don’t strain their voices in the same way.

Either way I think your HQPlayer solution is interesting. The network segmentation (a la Simon) is good practice, but one I have yet to institute …when I get home on Saturday I may have a play :wink: .

Got to say that I was listening to the Qutest+SBooster+UltraII & Mscaler+Krisdonia on Wednesday night and thoroughly enjoying it.

I have added a Mobus SSP12 inner platter to my LP12 which has given it a very nice lift. I can really listen to either front end and just let the music take me away at the moment …although I have some other bits on the way to try and refine both sources.

M

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To me it’s about what other great stuff I can buy for my hi fi

Nothing personal just usage of monies

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I do enjoy listening to Disturbed, Guns & Roses and The Hu are Mongolian heavy metal… love that band, so different. The bass is really tight and deep with good texture. I think the end results of M Scaler & HQPlayer are very similar, just different ways of getting there which may or may not suit one person other the other.

For me, I had to sort out the network as the better half was having issues maintaining a stable connection for work with zoom and their networked software. Hence the search for a good router / switch solution but it gave me a chance to rewire with optical and move all the networked gear (music servers, switches etc) away from the HiFi only boxes.

The Ubiquiti Router / Switch are isolated from each other by optical as well. I think the router, switch and access point came to slightly more than one EtherRegen switch… I felt in the end, that was good bang for buck given the improvement in SQ as well as the network benefits.

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It does, @Analogmusic is correct – from the MScaler manual (page 15):

“WARNING: Do not use any other power supply other than that supplied. Doing so will
invalidate your warranty.”

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Well there you go. Maybe it would be best if Rob didn’t suggest it’s ok on a public forum :laughing:

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Well, I guess manufacturer want to protect themselves – lots of dodgy power supplies and careless users around…