Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler Standalone Digital Upscaler at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Hugo M Scaler is a standalone digital upscaling device from Chord Electronics (Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Built around a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA running a 1,015,808-tap Watts Transient Aligned (WTA) filter, the Hugo M Scaler upscales standard 44.1kHz CD-resolution digital audio to 705.6kHz, sixteen times CD's native resolution, and extends to 768kHz from 96kHz source data when connected to a compatible dual-BNC-input Chord Electronics DAC. Derived from the technology first deployed in Chord's flagship BLU MKII CD transport, the Hugo M Scaler contains the world's most advanced digital reconstruction filter and carries more processing power than all other current Chord Electronics DACs combined. Winner of The Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award, Hi-Fi World Best Converter, and Stereophile Recommended Component status, the Hugo M Scaler redefines the performance ceiling of any compatible digital audio system.

1,015,808-Tap WTA Filter: The World's Most Advanced Digital Reconstruction

The Hugo M Scaler's defining technical achievement is its 1,015,808-tap Watts Transient Aligned filter, implemented on a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA and programmed by Chord Electronics digital design consultant Rob Watts. To place this in context: a conventional chip-based DAC runs a reconstruction filter of approximately 256 taps, while Chord Electronics' flagship DAVE DAC runs 164,000 taps. The Hugo M Scaler's filter exceeds even DAVE's tap count by a factor of more than six, and at the time of its introduction contained more processing power than all other Chord DACs in the range combined. The WTA filter corrects the timing errors and transient inaccuracies inherent in conventional reconstruction at lower tap counts, recovering the precise temporal relationships between audio events with a resolution that no standard DAC filter can approach regardless of its chip implementation. The Hugo M Scaler performs this reconstruction in the digital domain before handing the upscaled signal to the downstream DAC via its dual BNC outputs, allowing the DAC's own FPGA to operate with a far more mathematically accurate digital signal than it would receive from any standard source device. When connected to a compatible Chord dual-BNC-input DAC such as the Hugo TT 2, Qutest, Hugo 2, or DAVE, the M Scaler passes the fully upscaled 768kHz signal across both BNC connections simultaneously for decoding at the highest possible resolution.

System Integration: Table Top Range, BerTTi, Hugo TT 2, and Third-Party DACs

The Hugo M Scaler's chassis dimensions are matched to Chord Electronics' Table Top (TT) range, sharing the same 23.5cm width and 23.8cm depth as the Hugo TT 2 DAC and the BerTTi stereo power amplifier, enabling a dimensionally cohesive stacked system using Chord's Integra leg system. In this configuration the Hugo M Scaler sits directly above or below the Hugo TT 2 and BerTTi to form a compact three-component reference system of exceptional resolving capability. The front panel features polychromatic spherical controls governing input selection, output sample rate, and a dedicated video mode that reduces latency for use with video sources, with colour-coded LED display of input source and incoming sample rate across the full polychromatic scale. While the Hugo M Scaler delivers its maximum benefit of 768kHz output when used with a Chord dual-BNC-input DAC, it is also compatible with third-party DACs that accept BNC or coaxial S/PDIF inputs at their supported sample rates, subject to the downstream DAC's decoding capability. The Hugo M Scaler supports upscaling from source data up to 96kHz for maximum 768kHz output, and provides a pass-through mode for DSD content, which bypasses the upscaling stage.

Key Features

• 1,015,808-Tap WTA Filter: The world's most advanced digital reconstruction filter, implemented on a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA by Rob Watts, with more processing power than all other Chord Electronics DACs combined at the time of its introduction.
• Upscaling to 705.6kHz (16x CD): Upscales standard 44.1kHz CD-resolution audio to 705.6kHz, sixteen times native CD resolution, for any compatible DAC with a suitable input.
• 768kHz Output for Chord Dual-BNC DACs: Extends to 768kHz output when connected to a compatible Chord Electronics dual-BNC-input DAC including the Hugo TT 2, Qutest, Hugo 2, or DAVE, using both BNC outputs simultaneously.
• Derived from BLU MKII Technology: The Hugo M Scaler brings the upscaling filter technology first deployed in Chord Electronics' flagship BLU MKII CD transport to a standalone unit compatible with any digital source.
• Table Top (TT) Range Compatibility: Shares chassis dimensions with the Hugo TT 2 and BerTTi stereo power amplifier for direct stacking within the Chord Table Top system using Integra legs.
• Polychromatic Spherical Controls: Front-panel spherical controls govern input selection, output sample rate selection, and video mode for reduced latency with video sources, with colour-coded display of input source and incoming sample rate.
• Video Mode: A dedicated video mode slightly reduces the upscaling output rate to maintain proper audio-video synchronisation when the M Scaler is used in a home cinema or video playback context.
• Third-Party DAC Compatibility: While optimised for Chord dual-BNC-input DACs, the Hugo M Scaler is compatible with any DAC accepting BNC or coaxial inputs at the supported sample rate.
• Pass-Through Mode for DSD: DSD source material is routed through the Hugo M Scaler in pass-through mode, bypassing the PCM upscaling stage and preserving native DSD integrity.
• 30W Power Consumption at Full Power: Efficient FPGA implementation limits power consumption to 30W at full operation and 10W in standby, despite the extraordinary processing load of the 1,015,808-tap filter.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 1 x BNC coaxial input
• 1 x Optical TosLink input
• 2 x BNC coaxial outputs (dual BNC for 768kHz to compatible Chord DACs)
• 1 x single BNC coaxial output (for third-party DAC connection up to 705.6kHz)

Awards and Critical Recognition

• Golden Ear Award, The Absolute Sound (USA)
• Editor's Choice (TAS Recommended Component), The Absolute Sound (USA, 2021)
• Best Converter Award, Hi-Fi World (UK)
• Recommended Component, Stereophile (USA)
• Best Buy Award, The-Ear (UK)
• Editor's Choice Award, The Speaker Shack (UK) - Hugo TT 2 and M Scaler combination

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler?

The Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler is a standalone digital upscaling device built around a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA running Rob Watts' 1,015,808-tap Watts Transient Aligned filter. It upscales PCM audio from standard 44.1kHz CD resolution to 705.6kHz (sixteen times CD's native resolution) for any compatible DAC, and extends to 768kHz output when connected to a Chord Electronics dual-BNC-input DAC such as the Hugo TT 2, Qutest, Hugo 2, or DAVE. Its filter technology was first deployed in Chord's flagship BLU MKII CD transport and represents the most advanced digital reconstruction filter available in a standalone consumer device.

How does the Chord Hugo M Scaler improve the sound of an existing DAC?

The Chord Hugo M Scaler improves DAC performance by applying a 1,015,808-tap WTA reconstruction filter to the digital signal before it reaches the DAC's own conversion stage. Conventional DAC chips run reconstruction filters of approximately 256 taps, while even Chord's flagship DAVE DAC runs 164,000 taps. The M Scaler's filter corrects timing errors and transient inaccuracies at a resolution no DAC chip can replicate internally, recovering precise temporal relationships between audio events and passing a dramatically more accurate digital waveform to the downstream DAC. The result, as described by Pursuit Perfect System, is that the M Scaler has more processing power than all other Chord DACs combined, effectively giving any compatible DAC access to a filter far in advance of what its own FPGA or chip could implement alone.

Which Chord DACs are compatible with the Hugo M Scaler?

The Hugo M Scaler delivers its maximum performance of 768kHz output when connected via dual BNC to the Chord Hugo TT 2, Chord DAVE, Chord Qutest, or Chord Hugo 2, all of which feature dual-BNC inputs capable of decoding the 768kHz signal across both connections simultaneously. When connected to a third-party DAC with a BNC or coaxial S/PDIF input, the Hugo M Scaler delivers upscaling up to 705.6kHz (sixteen times CD), subject to the downstream DAC's maximum supported sample rate. The M Scaler is also compatible with the Chord BerTTi power amplifier system when used alongside a Hugo TT 2 in the Table Top configuration.

What is the difference between the Chord Hugo M Scaler and the Chord BLU MKII?

The Chord BLU MKII is a full-width CD transport with an integrated 1,000,000-tap M Scaler upscaling stage built in, designed as a reference CD replay front end for the Chord DAVE or Hugo TT 2. The Hugo M Scaler is a standalone upscaling device that brings the same WTA filter technology to any digital source regardless of format, including music servers, network streamers, and computers, rather than being limited to CD replay. The Hugo M Scaler also shares the compact Table Top chassis format, making it stackable with the Hugo TT 2 and BerTTi amplifier, whereas the BLU MKII is a full-width component. Both devices use the same fundamental FPGA filter approach pioneered by Rob Watts.

Can the Chord Hugo M Scaler be used with non-Chord DACs?

Yes, the Hugo M Scaler is compatible with any DAC that accepts a BNC coaxial or S/PDIF input at the supported sample rate. When connected to a third-party DAC via a single BNC output, the M Scaler upscales to 705.6kHz (sixteen times CD), subject to the downstream DAC's maximum supported input sample rate. Most conventional DACs accept sample rates up to 192kHz or 384kHz, at which point the M Scaler's output will be limited by the receiving DAC's capability rather than the M Scaler itself. The maximum 768kHz dual-BNC output is exclusive to compatible Chord Electronics DACs with dual-BNC inputs.

Does the Chord Hugo M Scaler work with DSD content?

The Chord Hugo M Scaler includes a pass-through mode for DSD source material. When a DSD signal is detected at the input, the M Scaler routes it directly to the output without applying the PCM upscaling filter, preserving the native DSD signal integrity and passing it to the downstream DAC for conversion. The 1,015,808-tap WTA upscaling filter is applied exclusively to PCM content, where its benefits are most substantial, particularly with standard 44.1kHz and 96kHz source material.

Where can I buy the Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler in Toronto or Canada?

The Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler standalone digital upscaler is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Chord Electronics dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Chord Table Top system including the Hugo M Scaler, Hugo TT 2, and BerTTi stereo power amplifier, and can demonstrate the complete upscaled system in-store. Canadian customers across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond are welcome to contact or visit Vinyl Sound Toronto for expert advice on integrating the M Scaler into an existing or new system.