Qutest, Hugo TT2, Mscaler

I just Googled this - a very interesting box. What more can you tell us about it?

Best
Gregg

that’s my finding too, I was quite shocked on the sonic downgrade going from SPDIF to USB using an auralic streamer

It is important to note that DCS initially advertised USB output on the network Bridge, but never went ahead and offered it, saying it could not make USB work to the high standards expected of a DCS product.

Neither Naim or Linn use USB inputs (only the DAC V1, which used the highly rated audiophilleo), but as of now, no products offer USB direct inputs (only for storage USB)

Why do I need to use a 3149 dollar USB clocker, when SPDIF was created for audio in the first place and sounds better in all my testing than USB , while USB was created for printers and mouse connections - not for hi-res audio.

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No one is telling you that you do need a USB reclocker but you do seem to be on a mission to convert everyone to SPDIF because that’s your preference. @dayjay has found USB to be better in his system, as have I and I know plenty of others do as well. Just look at Head Fi.

It’s all sounding too much of my way or the highway… I think it would be good if we could just accept that people using one way or the other will have done so after significant amount of testing of different gear over time and have settled on what they like best, to their ears in their system.

Your animosity to USB seems feverish at times.

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Certainly USB is far simpler and cost effective to implement effectively on lower end DACs than SPDIF.

SPDIF requires a lot of care in the implementation and cabling to live up to it’s potential. While USB has a vague performance ceiling due to inherent issues in the design not intended for audio, it is certainly very consistent up to a certain point. More modest DACs with USB inputs make a lot of sense. And the transport makes a massive difference too. If I was using a PC as a transport (which I currently am), I would probably choose USB to a supported DAC rather than whatever SPDIF the soundcard has on offer.

If I had a very capable transport with a top quality SPDIF implementation into a suitably capable DAC, then I’d almost certainly go the other way.

Yes but at what cost?

There is already a USB to digital stream convertor and re-clocker inside a new Chord DAC.

All Chord Dacs from Hugo1 (2014) will Reclock the input from USB, and the 2Qute, Qutest, Hugo TT, Hugo TT2, Mscaler, and Dave have galvanic isolation for the USB input.

Anyway you pays your money and take your choices/chances.

I sometimes use my audioquest DF red which only has USB input, but there’s no way I am going to use a reclocker to add another layer, when there is already such a device built into the DF Red.

I might be interested for 300 dollars, but for 3149 dollars “I’m out”

Anyways in audio - we sometimes find something that just works and spend the money on it…

Regardless, I think there’s been many opinions comparing the Mscaler to various alternatives and for me, my ears, find it to be a mighty device, easily the best digital source I have ever heard capable of real musical magic.

The thought of spending another 3149 $ on a reclocker for a digital signal which is already reclocked inside the MScaler and the Dave needs a big wallet.

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Glad your Innuos works on your side, which spdif streamer did you tried on your Chord source? On Head-fi since long it’s agreed by many that USB is behind on Chord Electronics. Of course it’s only a hobby and a passion for some of us. I don’t want you to change your religion, not willing to become a new web audio guru, having nothing to sell here, just wanted to share my results on my system. Not speaking about the brand/model of the used audio component is quite meaningless here. I’m open minded and started my Chord path many years ago with the 2Qute, owning the M-Scaler since it came out and I sadly used USB streamers on them before. My system : M-Scaler-Dave, 552dr/300dr, Atc SCM40 and less than 40 yo ears. I also tried other streamers at home for some weeks, the sharpness of USB is still there with a Zenith mk3 helped with an audio switch. What’s true on my system can be hidden on other system/speakers, a hifi system is a complex alchemy of combined elements, the less qualitative restricts the others. Wishing you good music at home.

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Swiss streamer from the the company Engineered which produces normally OEM streaming boards used by other brands (Audiomat, Bel Canto, CH-Precision, Dartzeel…). Swiss timing, swiss price, small and retro looking, amazing musicality, Prat and organic sound quality on my system.
They also don’t produce any streamer with USB output.

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Asking a question about a piece of equipment I’m interested in wasnt intended to start a usb/spidf throw down or derail the original thread.
As previously mentioned each to their own and enjoy the music

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Haha… I don’t think anyone will hold that against you :joy:

It’s always best to experiment and try different things. It doesn’t mean they’ll be better but sometimes you may get a nice surprise!

I try not to worry about which connection I use now and just experiment with an open mind. As Rob mentions HERE, there is little difference between the connection types and all depends on the source that goes into the M Scaler. There are many different ways to achieve the sound we like!

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That point was made by Chord when I enquired about transports they might recommend – leaving the strong impression that they don’t feel the need for spending big bucks on fancy clocks…

Thats my findings too I love what the MScaler brings to my digital front end.

If he repeats himself often enough I may have to sell all of my equipment and start from scratch with an spdif. :rofl::rofl:

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Alas my new Etude arrived… but had a audibly noisy powersupply, so back with the demo Etude until Chord replace.

The Dave using Tellurium Q Ultra Back balanced interconnect between Dave and Etude works wonderfully… and seems to really gel with the True Signal speaker cables into the ATCs.

A wonderfully sounding system that has had me listening late all week.

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So you’re now source - MScaler - Dave - Etude? Fantastic to hear you’re enjoying.

Although I have the mscalar… I have not opened it… been using NDX2->DC1->Dave->Tellurium XLR ->Etude->True Signal-> ATC all week

Oh yes Powerline on the Etude and sitting on Fraim.

Err how are you managing vinyl then? You planning on adding the Chord pre and phono stage?

Vinyl? Sold my NA turntable… currently my records are in storage.

Gosh…not having a lot of luck Simon after quite a wait🥺

Well i am in good hands with big Al… so no sweat… to be fair the Etude arrived within a few weeks once the order was confirmed.

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That’s unfortunate, Chord seem to have some quality issues with the Etude, my first one went back. Great little amp though.