Chord Hugo M Scaler

"Once You Hear It, There's No Going Back"

Using technology first seen in the flagship BLU MKII digital/CD transport, the Hugo M Scaler is a standalone upscaling device containing the world’s most advanced digital filter. When used with a dual-BNC-input Chord Electronics DAC, it is capable of redefining digital audio sound quality.

The Hugo M Scaler uses unique filter technology designed by Rob Watts’ (Chord's Digital Design Consultant) that Chord calls "the most advanced in the world." It upscale standard 44.1kHz digital audio up to 705.6kHz (16x CD’s 44.1kHz native resolution), ready to be passed to a suitable DAC. Hugo M Scaler extends its upscaling performance to 768kHz (from 96kHz input data) for Chord's dual-BNC-input DACs, such as the Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE.

"Once you hear the M Scaler in action, there’s no going back," raves Chris Martens in The Absolute Sound magazine. "The M Scaler makes substantial, across-the-board improvements to almost every qualitative aspect of the sound – so much so that you might feel like you are either listening through an altogether different and better headphone amp/DAC, or listening to delightfully re-mastered and/or much higher-resolution versions of your favorite recordings."

"A Unique and Extraordinary Product"

"This is a unique and extraordinary product," notes Noel Keywood, Hi-fi World magazine. "Chord Electronics M Scaler embodies Rob Watts view of how to perfectly reproduce digital. I thought it was devastating. You get to clearly hear how CD can sound when all the rubbish is swept away, performers and instruments all being placed in solid form on a wide and clear sound stage. Add in almost-peculiar bass timing and resolution and you end up with a sound not available elsewhere."

Ground-Breaking Filtering Technology

The Hugo M Scaler brings the unrivalled advantages of Chord's ground-breaking FPGA-based WTA (Watts Transient Alignment) filtering technology to digitally connected audio devices, dramatically improving sound quality. Although optimized for use with selected Chord Electronics DACs (for the maximum 768kHz upscaling/decoding benefit), the Hugo M Scaler can be used with other DACs with suitable inputs, subject to their decoding capability.

The Hugo M Scaler’s compact form factor aligns with the TT (Table Top) series and has been designed to be stackable with other units in the range, including the TToby stereo power amp and the Hugo TT 2, to form a highly advanced yet space-saving system. In line with other models in the Hugo and Hugo TT series, the device features a number of illuminable fascia-mounted spherical controls, governing input selection, output sample rate, and video mode for lower latency. The control spheres display data visually including input source and the incoming sample rate, using a polychromatic scale.

When partnered with either of Chord Electronics’ 768 kHz-capable dual-BNC-input DACs, the Hugo M Scaler sets an astonishing technical benchmark for digital audio performance at its price point, redefining sound quality from digital audio.

Product Features

Overview

"The most advanced digital filter in the world"
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
Tap-length filter: 1,015,808 (16FS filter)
Chord Custom Coded FPGA
Upsampling to 768kHz
Solid Aluminum Chassis
Convection Cooled
IR Remote Control Included
PCM support: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 705.6 and 768kHz – 16 to 32bit
Driver support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS

Connectivity

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

Included Accessories

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

Product Specs

FPGA: Xilinx XC7A200T
Filter tap length: 1,015,808 WTA taps
Dimensions: 1.57" (H) 9.25" (W) 9.3" (D)
Weight: 5.6 lbs.

Product Warranty

3 Years

Parts & Labor

Chord Electronics Warranty Information

Product Manual

	Chord Hugo M Scaler User Manual (PDF Format)

	Chord Hugo M Scaler Quickstart Manual (PDF Format)

"The Chord Hugo M Scaler is possibly one of the most intriguing journeys I have had in a long time when writing a review. I will also say its possibly one of the most difficult write-ups I have had to do also. Not because it was bad, quite the opposite, it is rather brilliant."

- Marcus, Headfonics, February 23, 2020

"Quite candidly, the M Scaler makes substantial, across-the-board improvements to almost every qualitative aspect of the sound – so much so that you might feel like you are either listening through an altogether different and better headphone amp/DAC, or listening to delightfully re-mastered and/or much higher-resolution versions of your favorite recordings. Once you hear the M Scaler in action, there’s no going back."

"The Hugo TT 2 and Hugo M Scaler fit together like a sonic hand in a glove; once you hear them together, you won’t ever want them to be apart. While the Hugo M Scaler costs nearly as much as the Hugo TT 2, it ushers in so many of the sonic extras that truly bring music to life that in my judgment it is well worth its asking price. And consider this: While Chord Electronics’ DAVE may be in a class of its own as a standalone headphone amp/DAC, the combination of the Hugo TT 2 and the Hugo M Scaler costs less than the DAVE and may actually offer better all-around performance, which is saying a mouthful."

- Chris Martens, The Absolute Sound, August 13, 2019

"This is a unique and extraordinary product."

"Chord Electronics M Scaler embodies Rob Watts view of how to perfectly reproduce digital. I thought it was devastating. You get to clearly hear how CD can sound when all the rubbish is swept away, performers and instruments all being placed in solid form on a wide and clear sound stage. Add in almost-peculiar bass timing and resolution and you end up with a sound not available elsewhere."

- Noel Keywood, Hi-fi World, April 2019