Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

Where my Etude is and where I sit I can’t see any glow or lights, but I am at an angle to it… it just sits there on a shelf kind of getting on with its stuff… rather innocuous. You can hear it’s soft forced cooling fan if right by it… but again very soft and subtle. I agree the Naim green LEDs and logo light from my NDX2 are more noticeable.

The Chord mscalar by comparison, even when set to dim mode, is significantly more obvious.

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Cheers chaps :+1:

Here’s a question from a noob but I would think this is the thread to ask it. I have my ND5 XS2 feeding my Chord M-Scaler which is in turn feeding my Chord Qutest. My question is will the M-Scaler be providing its sonic added value to radio streams? I believe I am hearing a benefit but don’t know if I’m imagining it.

I wonder where things are with Chord’s Davina ADC, which could feed analogue sources into Dave.

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Thanks. That’s very helpful. So worth a listen, although I assume from your profile that you prefer the 52/135 combination. I suppose speakers also have a lot to do with it. My Shahinian Diapasons are supposedly rather demanding in terms of current…

Yes is the short answer, provided you are processing the internet radio stream on the ND5XS2 via the BNC/SPDIF out to the MScaler.

You can read the sample rate via the viewing window on the Qutest. (section 3. How to read sample rate, of the user manual ).

I have been doing very similar today - NDX2 → MScaler → DAVE->… ( the demo DAVE is going back to the dealer and my Hugo2 going back into the system today, pending a DAVE purchase )…

The main audible benefit of the HMS is a more relaxed sound, and I have found it is worth matching the sampling rate to one’s ears and system, rather than just setting it to highest possible sample rate.

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Hi Michael,
One of the reasons for suggesting the Ultima amps is that they are particularly good at driving demanding loads.

When it comes to amplifier selection, the Ultima pairing of Pre 2 + baby 6 power amp were somewhat more capable & even more engaging to listen through than the 52/135s that we already enjoy. More on this soon.

Hence the suggestion that an audition would not be a poor use of your time.

Best regards, BF

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Very helpful thank you. I’ll certainly experiment with the sample rates too.

not heard anything recently about that - but to be fair I haven’t been looking too hard…

Etude - bought and paid for the demo unit today, so that stays. Not necessarily’end-game’ but a good stepping stone - economic on space and cost effective, great amp.

I also tripped over an MScaler on the fishy place so that has a new home too. Very effective with demo-DAVE, and now happily feeding my Hugo 2 with NDX2 music while I scrape the pennies together for DAVE (Alastair & Andy).

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Congrats, but I thought you already had an Mscaler/TT2 and decided you preferred the NDX2 over it?

@NO-QUARTER Curiosity finally got the better of me. I didn’t think it would make much of a difference and that it was unlikely to stay. I was wrong.

I’ve tried TQ BNCs but at the moment, preferring Mark Grants HDX1 copper BNC. It does make a difference what USB you use, I’ve tried a cheap one compared to the TQ SD but it didn’t compare really. It’s really small so easy to fix with velcro to the back of a unit. Pic below.

I haven’t tried a computer, usb, src.dx combo yet but given the difference the usb cable makes, I’d expect it to be sensitive to the source used. So, as they say, it will be system, room and ears dependent.

You should definitely get a hold of one to demo though!

So thanks to you and Nick @Fourlegs for the prod, advice to try it! I’ll give further details once I’ve had more time with it but so far it’s very positive!


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A bit of a journey really - two years ago I had a Hugo2+HMS, but traded those for a TT2 ‘bare’ to run with my ND5XS2 & Melco N1/ZH2 and roon Nucleus+ - due to downturn in my freelance consultancy I downsized to AlloDigioneSig, with TT2. Tried OpticalRendu for a while, but so many bitsa boxes…
Fortunes have changed upwards so went NDX2, with a H2 (again) for ‘phones/alternative sound, then stepped through XPSDR to 555DR.
Five demo boxes have just been collected; the demo/Dave amongst them. Bought the HMS on Sunday while everyone else distracted by football - drove through Salisbury to get it!
DAVE alone is very good, HMS takes it to another level (not using the Chord interconnects, just one TQ Waveform).
H2 with HMS not the same but cost effective for me as both s/h, and black Dave doesn’t come up often s/h - so would be a new-buy.

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Excellent, can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the SRC. Do you have to configure the settings on it somehow with a computer? I think you will have to “downgrade” your PGGB files to 24 bit to take full advantage of it, maybe Nick can advise on this. I seem to remember someone saying you have to set its output to 100%, not sure how that is done though?
I had some car trouble this week, so my disposable income was used up, so I need to replenish that before I can grab one.:pensive:

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Should be an interesting time then, great that you have all these boxes together at one time.

Bad luck… cars have a habit of doing that :pensive:

I thought I’d have to downgrade the PGGB files as well but I forgot about it, lined a few up via Roon / HQPlayer with no upscaling etc and they played well…. Very well. I emailed Nick about it and he confirmed they’re ok through the SRC.DX. It comes with a booklet detailing what you need to do for each source. For windows I think you’ll have to download some drivers.

A brief description of how it’s changed things. The space around instruments has become very dark and imaging very detailed in terms of positioning from side to side and front to back. A real 3d feel and very clear and focused. There is also a lot more texture throughout lows / mids and highs. It’s like a load more micro detail has been revealed. Think going from HD to 4k. Highs are very sweet, it seems like there is no edge or glare at all. Overall, there is just a very nice realness to it… very vibrant and engaging sound. Foot tapping good!

Listening during the day with my Empy, I found myself just disappearing into the music. I’m sort of lost as to how a small box can make this difference. I really thought it would be a return item… but not a chance… hats off to them, They’ve done well here.

Hope you get to listen to one soon… I was happy to replace my MScaler before with the HQP & PGGB optical setup… for me, my ears and system, the SRC.DX turns HQP etc into something very special.

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If I recall, the Dave or TT2 dual BNC input only does 24 bit, so 32 bit gets downsampled to 24 bit. Maybe there is no sound degradation, but you would save on PGGB file size with 24 bit. I would try blasting a few files at 24 bit, just for peace of mind.:grin:For some reason I see a Dave in your future Toon, resistance is futile.

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Both Roon and HQP show it as 32/705 so any changes would have to take place in the SRC.DX or the DAC.

As for Dave… yeah, I’m resisting that one as long as possible. I love my system now, which makes it easier to ignore but I do know at some point I know I’ll want to try one. Just not yet :joy:

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That’s the point though, you want the least amount of changes to the file as possible. If the Dac has to manipulate the file, it is working extra hard, and the whole point of PGGB (I think) is to do all the processing before the Dac gets it.

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Very true…for peace of mind I just checked the specs of the TT2 and it is good up to 32/768 so will accept the rates at that level without the need to down sample it first.