Description ⌄
Upscaling device that converts audio to 705.6/768 kHz — maximises any DAC's performance. Hugo M Scaler is a sophisticated upscaling device that converts any PCM audio to 705.6 or 768 kHz before sending it to a connected DAC. Using a 1,016,064-tap WTA filter — the most advanced digital filter in consumer audio — it uncovers musical information other DACs simply cannot access.
Technical background
M Scaler applies a 1,015,808-tap WTA reconstruction filter — the longest tap count of any commercial audio product — using a Xilinx XC7A200T FPGA with 740 DSP cores. It upscales any source (including CD) to 705.6kHz before passing the signal to a partnering DAC via dual BNC. The result is dramatically reduced noise-floor modulation and improved transient accuracy, as the DAC receives a signal that is vastly closer to the original analogue waveform.
Design story
Chord Electronics was founded in Maidstone, Kent in 1989 by John Franks, whose background in aerospace electronics shaped every design decision. Products are hand-built in the UK using precision CNC-machined aircraft-grade aluminium, giving each unit the tactile solidity of a precision instrument rather than a consumer product. The illuminated polycarbonate sphere controls — a Chord signature — serve as intuitive interfaces that complement the industrial-minimal aesthetic. The philosophy is uncompromising: every component, topology, and material choice is driven by sonic performance, not cost reduction.
Best for
TT2 or Dave owners wanting to upscale to 1M taps; audiophiles who believe in the measured benefits of digital upscaling Reference desktop audiophile, Hugo TT2 or DAVE owner seeking the ultimate digital front end Reference digital upscaling, CD transport optimisation, streaming source enhancement
Awards & press
⭐ The Absolute Sound Recommended; Hi-Fi+ featured review "The audio equivalent of finding the supercharger." — HIFICRITIC "The M Scaler is a transformative piece of technology — nothing else in the world does what it does." — Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News "When combined with DAVE or Hugo TT2, the M Scaler elevates digital audio to a new plane of realism and immediacy." — Hi-Fi+
Features ⌄
- 1,016,064-tap WTA filter — unmatched in consumer audio
- Upscales any digital source to 768 kHz
- Works with any DAC via optical or coaxial output
- Made in England — game-changing performance improvement confirmed by reviews
- Galvanically isolated dual BNC output eliminates ground-loop contamination into the DAC
- Stackable form factor — sits neatly atop Hugo TT2 for a coherent desktop system