Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

I’ve just picked up aTT2, to replace my Hugo 2. The improvement is very significant in my system. I’ve read a lot about the MScaler and was wondering if anyone has compared it to the software upscaling in audirvana?

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Thanks… BTW I did borrow a mscaler, can’t say I was impressed with it… I suspect it’s a not insignificant digital noise and EMI generator and in my setup, I think have relatively quite low electrical noise levels because of my radio pursuits, any benefits (on SPDIF) were perhaps offset by the increased noise. Perhaps different noisier environments may be different because one is starting from a different position.

I used the mscalar with a TT2

i too found m scaler very subtle with HiRES found bigger difference was with 16bit CDs which made a nice difference but then not sure at £3.5k nice as knowing me would want wave cables and a LPS for it as incremental improvements (most head fi users all seem to be using it this way which then pushes it up to nearly the £6k mark… :scream: which i then feel would i not be better changing up my 282 for a 252 and supercap OR nap250 for a 300 instead…)

sure will demo mscaler again at some point but first want to try the phoenix reclocker as supposedly has a much more significant impact for dave in my type of setup in further cleaning up the signal going in (and if gives same uplift as what my ether regen did would be very happy with that i feel)

keep us posted when you get your new dave interested to hear how it goes 2nd time around in your setup (would highly recommend trying a demo of the sarumT interconnect with it at some point into your 552 i was impressed with it) :smile:

Will do… I am planning to make significant changes to the audio replay system at SiS towers… not least spurred on by the recent discovery of how incredibly performant high end magnetic planar headphones are… a real eye opener … or should I say ear opener.

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I will be interested in your findings re the Phoenix, I have a Dave/Etude due next week and I will be feeding from an Innuos Zen, curious about the relative benefits of the m scaler vs phoenix to this set up.

Snap… fingers crossed.

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Interesting…having controversially ditched my Naim preamp I had casually considered the idea of an Etude or similar as a potentially better match with Dave than my 250DR. Let us know how you get on.

always interesting to read your feedback @Simon-in-Suffolk

I find the Mscaler to be the best source/digital product that Chord makes…

I remember from the early days of the Hugo 1 to a product like Mscaler/Dave, who knew that digital sources would get so good…

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will do be a while off till i demo it though as dont trust myself from buying it if i demo and want it

in terms of what i have read of it, makes more of a noticeable difference to Hi Res music than what the mscaler does (i noticed only marginal improvement with Hi Res when using m scaler, posted on this thread uptop somewhere, for me mscaler’s strength lay with 16 bit rips which were awesome)

main things people report on with the phoenix is more natural sound, increased sound stage, and sound depth but again not heard it yet so would want to experience this for myself before forming a view

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Thanks, I’m curious as I think the Zen may be the weak link in my proposed set up. I contacted Innuos and asked about adding the Phoenix and they confirmed it would perform better than the Zenith, of course using the Zenith plus Phoenix will be much better. I bought the Zen to replace my Unitiserve, the attraction being access to Roon and Qobuz at that time, I didn’t intend to use it as a streaming platform, kind of wish I had bought the Zenith. Hindsight is a great thing.

Is the Zen Mini 3 better than your particular NUC 7i5 as a Roon Core?

Why?

Is it better than your Buffalo drive into Melco for ripping CDs? Or have you done the re-ripping now; and anyway perhaps you aren’t that bothered about ripping now that you’re more often web streaming Qobuz?

i know i have made a few hindsight purchase errors down the line too…
sure Zen and phoenix would be still very good mind

regarding the zenith did find it sensitive to set up and a few tweaks i found raised its performance further, namely cera-disc supports underneath it (especially near the hard discs) one of those orange fuses for it and a decent power cable - so not unlike most decent kit is sensitive to good mains and isolation

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i found my innuos zenith mk3 better VS NAS with LPS and/or streaming even with etherregen, also i found it better than my older melco model with added boon of it having ROON integration

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Thanks.
Yes, that does not surprise me.

But the Zen Mini, esp without the LPS, is not as electrically quiet as the Zenith.

I have heard users say that the Zen Mini beats a cheap IT nas as a Roon Core, but not that it would beat a good quality low noise fanless nuc.

Hi T-elmi

What did you upgrade from and to?

And what effect did it have on Qobuz streaming?

Thanks
Jim

Ok I think this is a good place to ask!
I currently have a Qutest sounds great. As my next upgrade I’m wondering what’s a better way to go. Add an Mscaler or upgrade to a Hugo TT2. I’m leaning towards TT2, if for no other reason that selling the Qutest would help pay for the Hugo. What say you ladies and Gents!
PS: I’m using an Auralic G1

I would get the TT2, which is very good on its own, especially if you want to use headphones. I own the Mscaler with mine though😀

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Be interested in your thoughts. I found the difference immediate, there was no great ‘break in’ period.

M

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TT2 all the way. Once you listen, you will see the difference. The mscaler can come later…I love that combo. Have had mine running for about 8 months and I love it.

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Agree with above, I.e. trade the Qutest for a TT2. I went from Hugo2 to TT2 15 months ago in my main system.