Audio T Verdict
Hugo M Scaler does one job, but it takes that job remarkably seriously. Sitting between your digital source and DAC, it uses more than one million filter taps to upscale digital audio before it reaches the converter.
Standard 44.1kHz CD-quality audio can be increased to 705.6kHz, while compatible 48kHz-family material can reach as high as 768kHz. To hear its full capability you'll need one of Chord Electronics' dual-BNC DACs, including Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 or DAVE.
It isn't a DAC, streamer or volume control, so think of M Scaler as a dedicated digital processing stage. If you already own a compatible Chord Electronics DAC, it's one of the most significant digital upgrades within the range and very much worth hearing rather than trying to judge from the numbers alone.
Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler
Hugo M Scaler is a standalone digital upscaler from Chord Electronics' Table Top range.
Its core features include:
- Custom-coded Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA
- 1,015,808-tap WTA filter
- 16FS digital upscaling
- 44.1kHz upscaled to 705.6kHz
- Compatible material upscaled as high as 768kHz
- Galvanically isolated USB Type-B input
- 2 x BNC coaxial inputs
- 2 x optical inputs
- Galvanically isolated dual-BNC output
- Single BNC S/PDIF output
- Optical output
- Adjustable output sample rate and pass-through mode
- Low-latency video mode
More Than One Million WTA Taps
At the heart of Hugo M Scaler is a:
1,015,808-tap WTA digital filter.
WTA stands for Watts Transient Aligned, Chord Electronics' proprietary filtering approach developed by digital design consultant Rob Watts.
M Scaler uses a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA to perform the enormous amount of processing required by the 16FS filter before passing the resulting digital signal to a separate DAC.
From 44.1kHz to 705.6kHz
A standard CD-quality 44.1kHz signal can be upscaled by a factor of 16 to:
705.6kHz.
Compatible material from the 48kHz sample-rate family can be processed to rates as high as:
768kHz.
Why Dual BNC Matters
The full 705.6/768kHz output is carried through two BNC cables operating together in Chord Electronics' dual-data mode.
Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE are designed to accept this connection. Using a single BNC connection limits the available output rate.
Digital Inputs and Outputs
Inputs
- 1 x galvanically isolated USB Type-B
- 2 x BNC coaxial
- 2 x TOSLINK optical
Outputs
- 1 x galvanically isolated dual-BNC output
- 1 x BNC S/PDIF output
- 1 x TOSLINK optical output
USB operation is driverless with macOS and Linux. Chord Electronics provides dedicated drivers for compatible Windows systems.
Adjustable Output and Video Mode
Hugo M Scaler provides selectable output sample rates as well as a pass-through mode, allowing its processing level to be adjusted to suit the connected DAC.
A dedicated video mode reduces processing latency when picture and sound need to remain synchronised, making the unit useful with compatible televisions, films and other video sources as well as music.
Automatic video and source-selection functions are also included.
Designed for Chord Electronics DACs
The full M Scaler experience is available with Chord Electronics DACs capable of receiving the 768kHz dual-BNC signal:
- Qutest
- Hugo 2
- Hugo TT 2
- DAVE
It can also be used with non-Chord DACs through compatible BNC or optical connections, although the maximum output rate will depend on what the receiving DAC can decode.
View Chord Electronics Qutest
View Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2
View Chord Electronics DAVE
Compact Table Top Design
Hugo M Scaler shares the compact footprint of Chord Electronics' Table Top range and measures:
- Width: 235mm
- Depth: 238mm
- Height: 40mm
- Weight: 2.55kg
The solid aluminium chassis is convection cooled, so there are no cooling fans, and an IR remote control is included.
M Scaler and Quartet
Hugo M Scaler remains a current Chord Electronics product in the Table Top range. The newer Quartet sits separately in the Choral range as Chord Electronics' reference-grade upscaler.
M Scaler therefore remains the dedicated compact partner for products such as Hugo TT 2, Qutest, Hugo 2 and DAVE.
Audio T Listening
Our Southampton team has spent extensive time with Hugo M Scaler and DAVE, including demonstrations exploring exactly what happens when the million-tap filter is introduced into a revealing digital system.
Read: Chord Electronics Prove That High End Digital Audio Is Simply a Matter of Scale
Key Features
- Standalone digital upscaler
- Chord Electronics Table Top range
- Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA
- 1,015,808 WTA taps
- 16FS digital filter
- 44.1kHz to 705.6kHz upscaling
- Maximum 768kHz output
- PCM from 16 to 32-bit
- Galvanically isolated USB Type-B input
- 2 x BNC coaxial inputs
- 2 x optical inputs
- Galvanically isolated dual-BNC output
- Single BNC S/PDIF output
- Optical output
- Adjustable output sample rate
- Pass-through mode
- Low-latency video mode
- Automatic video and source selection
- Solid aluminium chassis
- Convection cooled
- IR remote control included
- Roon Tested
- Plays with Audirvana certified
- Qutest compatible
- Hugo 2 compatible
- Hugo TT 2 compatible
- DAVE compatible
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hugo M Scaler do?
It digitally upscales audio before passing it to a separate DAC, using Chord Electronics' 1,015,808-tap WTA filter.
Is M Scaler a DAC?
No. A separate DAC is required.
Is M Scaler a streamer?
No. It requires a digital source such as a streamer, computer, CD transport or network bridge.
How many filter taps does it use?
1,015,808 WTA taps.
How high can it upscale CD-quality audio?
44.1kHz audio can be upscaled to 705.6kHz.
What is the maximum output rate?
Up to 768kHz with compatible material and a suitable dual-BNC Chord Electronics DAC.
Which Chord Electronics DACs support full dual-BNC operation?
Chord Electronics currently specifies Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE.
Can I use M Scaler with another manufacturer's DAC?
Yes, provided the DAC has a suitable digital input. Maximum output resolution will depend on the receiving DAC's capabilities.
Does it have USB?
Yes. One galvanically isolated USB Type-B input is provided.
What is video mode?
Video mode reduces processing latency to help maintain synchronisation between audio and picture.
Can I bypass the upscaling?
Yes. Hugo M Scaler includes a pass-through output mode.
Is M Scaler still current now that Quartet exists?
Yes. Hugo M Scaler remains in Chord Electronics' current Table Top range, while Quartet is the separate reference-grade Choral upscaler.
What warranty does it have?
Chord Electronics provides a three-year manufacturer warranty. The manufacturer specifies use of the supplied power supply as a warranty requirement.
Related Chord Electronics Products
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Hugo M Scaler demonstrations
- Qutest, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE comparisons
- Dual-BNC setup guidance
- Digital source and streamer advice
- System matching and upgrade guidance
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to demonstrate Hugo M Scaler or hear what it adds to a compatible Chord Electronics DAC.