Digital upscaler with WTA filter
Chord Hugo M Scaler is a standalone digital upscaler: it takes a PCM signal, resamples it to a much higher rate and passes it on to the converter that follows. The 44.1 kHz audio of a CD is taken to 705.6 kHz, that is 16 times the starting resolution, and with a 96 kHz input signal it reaches 768 kHz.
The technology comes from the BLU MKII digital transport, the manufacturer's flagship model. The WTA (Watts Transient Alignment) filter, devised by Rob Watts, Chord Electronics' digital design consultant, runs on a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA coded by the manufacturer and has 1,015,808 taps. Chord presents it as the most advanced digital filter in the world and credits it with a clear improvement in the sound of digitally connected devices.
Partners and connections
The 768 kHz maximum is obtained from the galvanically isolated dual BNC output, with the Chord DACs that have a dual BNC input: Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE. The manufacturer specifies that the M Scaler can also be used with other converters that have suitable inputs, within the limits of what they can decode; for these there are a BNC S/PDIF output and an optical output.
On the input side there are a galvanically isolated USB Type-B socket, two coaxial BNCs and two opticals, for PCM signals from 44.1 to 768 kHz and from 16 to 32 bit. No drivers are needed with Mac OS X and Linux, while Windows requires one. Chord lists the unit as «Roon tested».
Controls and format
On the front panel, as on the other Hugo and Hugo TT models, illuminated spheres select the input, the output sample rate and the video mode, designed to reduce latency. The same spheres use a colour scale to show the active source and the rate of the incoming signal. The output rate is adjustable and there is a pass-through mode; source and video mode selection can be automatic.
The solid aluminium chassis, cooled by convection, has the same format as the TT (Table Top) series and is designed to be stacked with the other units in the range, including the TToby stereo power amplifier and the Hugo TT 2, to form a system that takes up little space. The infrared remote control is included, together with the power supply and the USB, BNC and optical cables.
Technical data
- Type: digital upscaler with Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA and 1,015,808-tap WTA filter (16FS).
- Digital inputs: 1 galvanically isolated USB Type-B, 2 coaxial BNC, 2 optical.
- Digital outputs: 1 galvanically isolated dual BNC (up to 768 kHz), 1 BNC S/PDIF, 1 optical.
- Formats: PCM from 44.1 to 768 kHz, from 16 to 32 bit.
- Functions: adjustable output sample rate with pass-through, low-latency video mode, automatic source and video mode selection.
- Drivers: not needed with Mac OS X and Linux, required with Windows.
- Power consumption: 30 W at full power, 10 W in standby.
- Dimensions: 235 × 238 × 40 mm (W × D × H).
- Weight: 2.55 kg.
- Finishes: black and silver.
- Included: 15 V 4 A power supply, infrared remote control with 2 AAA batteries, USB Type-A to Type-B cable, 2 BNC cables, optical cable.
