LowBeats(DE)·31 January 2019
4.2 of 5 ("Gesamt")
reviewed as: Chord M Scaler (tested with the Chord Hugo TT 2)
Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler DAC
You have a Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 or DAVE, you are happy with it, and you wonder what the next step is without replacing it. The M Scaler is that step: not a converter, it sits in front of yours and hands it a better signal. From a 44.1 kHz CD file it makes 705.6 kHz with a filter of a million taps — and over dual BNC into a Chord converter, 768. What that does to your music you hear most clearly on your oldest CDs: the attack of a note falls into place, a busy passage becomes a room full of people instead of a crowd. Same footprint as the TT range, so it stacks. Alone it does nothing; and whoever wants to go further now has the Quartet.
€ 4.699,00
Suggested retail price, incl. VAT · via authorized dealers · as of 2026-09-10
In the press
Specifications
| Chipset | Xilinx XC7A200T |
|---|---|
| Tap length | 1,015,808 WTA taps (16FS filter) |
| PCM support | 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz. 16 – 32bit |
| Upsampling | 44.1kHz upscaled to 705.6kHz; up to 768kHz from 96kHz input data over the dual BNC output |
| Digital filters | The most advanced digital filter in the world |
| Inputs | 1x Galvanically isolated Type-B USB, 2x Coax BNC and 2x Optical |
| Outputs | 1x Galvanically isolated dual BNC (enables upscaling to the maximum 768kHz), 1x BNC S/PDIF and 1x Optical |
| Driver support | Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS |
| Control options | Adjustable sample rate output (with pass-thru mode); video mode (for lower latency); auto video and source selection; 'DX' controls for a future product design; IR remote control included |
| Compatibility | Maximum 768kHz upscaling with Chord's dual-BNC-input DACs: Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE. Usable with other DACs with suitable inputs, subject to their decoding capability. |
| Power consumption | Full power – 30 W; Standby – 10 W |
| Materials | Solid aluminium chassis, convection cooled |
| Dimensions | 4cm (H) 23.5cm (W) 23.8cm (D) |
| Weight | 2.55kg |
| In the box | M-Scaler Quickstart guide; Safety instructions; 15V 4A Switching barrel type power supply; IR remote control; Type-A USB to Type-B USB cable; 2x BNC to BNC cables; Optical cable; 2x AAA batteries |
Where to listen
Every model is sold and demonstrated through Joenit's authorized dealer network in the Benelux. Find your nearest dealer to hear it for yourself.
