Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler

Using technology first seen in the flagship Chord Electronics BLU MKII digital/CD transport, the Chord Electronics 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.

Features:

• Chord Custom Coded FPGA
• Over 1 million Taps
• Upsampling to 768kHz
• USB Input
• IR Remote Control Included
• Convection Cooled
• Solid Aluminun chassis
• Optical input and output
• 2x BNC S/PDIF Input
• Dual DAta Mode BNC O/P
• BNC S/PDIF Output

The Hugo M Scaler is a highly advanced standalone upscaler capable of redefining sound quality from digital audio. It uses Rob Watts’ (our Digital Design Consultant’s) unique filter technology, the most advanced in the world, to 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 our dual-BNC-input DACs: Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2 and DAVE.

The Hugo M Scaler brings the unrivalled advantages of our ground-breaking FPGA-based WTA (Watts Transient Alignment) filtering technology to digitally connected audio devices, dramatically improving sound quality. Although optimised 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’ 768kHz-capable dual-BNC-input DACs, the Hugo M Scaler sets an astonishing technical benchmark for digital audio performance at it price point, redefining sound quality from digital audio.

Technical Specifications:

• FPGA: Xilinx XC7A200T

• Filter tap length: 1,015,808 WTA taps (16FS filter)

• Dimensions: 4cm (H) 23.5cm (W) 23.8cm (D)

• Weight: 2.55kg

• Connectivity (input): 1x Galvanically isolated Type-B USB, 2x Coax BNC and 2x Optical

• Connectivity (output): 1x Galvanically isolated dual BNC (enables upscaling to the maximum 768kHz), 1x BNC S/PDIF and 1x Optical

• 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