Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

I have to admit, I’ve tried using my MacBook Pro & Mac mini directly into my DACs but didn’t find it to be as good as the ND5 XS2 or Aries G1. There was a definite brightness to the sound that was a little fatiguing.

Edit - that was via USB as optical was removed from Macs from 2018 onwards.

1 Like

In fact, I didn’t connect the iPhone directly to the Naim DAC. I had an AudioPhilleo 1SE, with its PurePower, in between. The iPhone being the Roon Endpoint (only).

Obviously, the AudioPhilleo did a good job. The combo sounded rather good.

Chord Electronics seems to produce pretty good headphone amps/dacs. I certainly would enjoy a DAVE or TT2 with a pair HD800s.

But for now I’m enjoying the Naim system :blush:

For me, the transport has another benefit over simple supply of the music data to the DAC. It’s an interface. A way to see what’s playing at a glance, quickly skip and change tracks without having to open up an iPhone, iPad or laptop etc by their remote or buttons on the device.

It became a little annoying when I didn’t have this option when the phone rang or someone walked into the office. Find phone, unlock, open app then pause… phone call missed :joy:

Bubble UPnP on my phone automatically pauses streaming when a call comes in.

Completely throws me when I’m listening to vinyl and the music doesn’t stop!

2 Likes

I think from memory Roon does the same thing on iPad/iPhone

1 Like

I’ll have to take a look on Roon. I’ve resolved the issue of the missus shouting up the stairs etc and can’t be heard. Just setup a Philips Hue Scene that’s on Apple Home app. She can activate it from her Apple watch face… no more shouting :joy:

1 Like

Listening to the mscaler and TT2 now into my Meze Empyreans … and i currently have a silly grin on my face listening to PJ Harvey White Chalk.

7 Likes

Haha… I know that feeling from feeding speakers directly with that setup. Need to get a set of headphones as well I think :joy:

I think you might be right for the time being… they are struggling to keep up with the demand for DAVE as it is… and the TT2 and Mscaler…

One question for the TT2 users out there. I have found the high gain setting into my Empyreans seems to provide the most pleasing feel and subtly wider sound stage and a bit of extra air and slightly extra sub bass slam … and the low gain has a smidgen of softness… that is gone with the high gain … anyone else found this?

With a BNC digital cable I assume?
Most on Headfi seem to say optical is the preferred method (?)

This is where I get frustrated with Chord and their lineup (keeping in mind I feed my dCS and Linn with Ethernet). Not ROON ready and too many people saying different things ie feed with optical, feed with bnc, use USB, don’t use USB. MScaler is noisy, use ferrite rings etc.

Even after speaking with Rob W at CanJam I came away thoroughly confused as in the end he said to just use USB and plug a computer or iPad into it.

Best
Gregg

I have always used SPDIF via coax for best performance… it behaves neutrally and transparently to me using the NDX2… and to me that is what counts… remember the NDX2 digital out is galvanically isolated I believe.

I tend to ignore a lot of tittle and rattle, as more often than not I suspect the effects are caused by the users own environment.

I am using the standard double BNC connectors between tt2 and Mscaler, they appear good quality, and the overall effect is outstanding … the best DAC audio replay I have heard.

2 Likes

Yes. I used low gain with pins 1&2 and found it to be a bit more mellow but as soon as Hi Gain is applied with pins 2&3 you end up with a more dynamic engaging sound with a more holographic imaging.

Not sure why but I heard that low gain with pins 1&2 drops the dB range and stops it from being overstretched, leading to burn out of parts due to over heating.

However, if you don’t run max volume… then high gain offers better sound quality. I’ve never really got over -2db never mind near the +22 that it’s capable of.

I guess low gain is a safety net to stop a user from damaging the device

Edit. I prefer optical as an input when it was straight into the TT2 but, I’m not sure how much benefit that adds when using the m scaler when you use 2 coaxial cables into the TT2 from the m scaler. I intend to experiment with a usb at some point to see how they compare.

The thing is, it sounds incredible with stock cables… a lot of people making these tweaks are just trying to squeeze out every last drop of performance. I’ve seen comments from Rob saying optical is a good reference point when using other connections as it is completely isolated but people will prefer connection x y or z because they like the way they sound. It’s personal preference really!

I’ll be using my optical when buying a usb cable to find one that is as close to optical performance as possible but that will also allow full 192 with the m scaler. The Wireworld supernova 7 that worked well with the Qutest doesn’t work with 192 files with the m scaler.

Yes, same here and I’m using it in amp mode with speakers. Hi Gain gives it extra slam but sometimes Low Gain provides a slightly more relaxed listen. Nice to have options…

well good to know you like the Mscaler and TT2.

as for Dave 2 - based on my limited understanding of Rob Watts 30 year work on DACs and conversations with him - it seems as a DAC (but not as a filter) the Dave is the ultimate, and to improve on that one can add Mscalers… (much like a power supply for the NDX2)

We are now at a 1 million TAP Mscaler so far !

But who knows what else Rob Watts can innovate.

The bottle neck now seems to be the analog to digital conversion and waiting for that to be completed by Chord and RW and also … to reach the recording studios so we can enjoy some much better recordings… I wonder if there will be a list available of recordings made with the future Chord ADC?

The most stunning hi-fi replay I ever heard was actually with Dave playing some pure DSD files - the hi-fi just completely went away and it was a live band playing right in front of us.

The Mscaler can do similar effect with good recordings.

To be honest… it’s at a level that I think the recording and master is fast becoming the bottleneck in the chain … not the replay… I think that is what you are inferring as well.

yes that is what I am inferring…

I am currently listening to my LG TV!

Via Bubbleupnp & Kazoo > Hugo TT using the Opt.

1 Like

Indeed… it is interesting Qobuz have a new playlist of unplugged, ie acoustic recording versions of popular songs by their artist… many are live.
They sound fantastic and musically natural, you can feel the performance… but kind of like watching a 16mm film you can hear the recording limitations, but in turn that makes it sound live and organic.
The voices sound superb… I guess there is little treatment other than compression and a drop of reverb. I do put a bit of Crossfeed on with the TT2, that makes the headphone performance feel more real to my brain and less within my head… very effective.

BTW I tried the Focal Utopia as well as my Meze Empyreans on the TT2… I have to say unfortunately how un natural the Focal’s sound in comparison… especially in the upper mid… not sure what is going on there… I guess headphones must be very tuned to the different ways we hear things… as in all things they are an ultimate compromise, and we choose the compromise that affects us least.

1 Like