PS Audio Directstream DAC (Snowmass)
Contents
Now, this combo is a treat. PS Audio’s DSD an incredibly euphonic sounding DAC. Its essence is in musicality. Luckily, with the Hugo M Scaler, it takes the performance up rather significantly.
Setting it up
I had to use a Purist Audio Design BNC to RCA adapter to connect the HMS to the DSD. The optical output from the HMS to the DSD didn’t sound too great (untextured & flat) so I’ve kept it to the coaxial input for all of my listening.
The coaxial input of the DSD supports up to 192kHz but I was only able to max out at 176.4 kHz. For some odd reason, I couldn’t play a 96 kHz (2X to 192 kHz) file. I might be missing something (shrug).
The Sound
Although musical, the DSD is a little slower, softer, and lacked a bit of clarity and focus. The Hugo M Scaler in its first “green” mode incorporates those qualities without any drawbacks. It’s incredible.
Here’s the breakdown of the upscaling modes:
- Red (Bypass mode)
- Slightly better delineation, crispier transients, and more bass definition. Speed and resolution aren’t quite there.
- Green
- Everything is more resolute and tactile. It sounds more physically real. You could hear the speed and strength of the piano key presses.
- Lyrics are more intelligible.
- Much quieter – the music fades in and out more from black.
- Brush strokes are more delicate and resolved (Jazz at the Pawnshop)
- Tightening (image and focus) – a theme of the Hugo M scaler. This is probably the most apparent enhancement from the HMS.
- More dimensionality and atmosphere. There are just more reverb cues, depth, and contours.
- Improved timbre.
- Very clean, articulate, and controlled.
- Blue
- You’re able to hear the finer details in this mode. There’s more insightful storytelling in the music.
- Better molding and weight – especially in vocals.
- More bass definition and gradations.
- White
- N/A. The DSD maxes out at 192 kHz on the coaxial.
The Hugo M Scaler gets you from toe-tapping – to singing along and being fully immersed. I actually preferred the green mode for the PS Audio DSD (88.2 kHz). There’s a nice warm coat over the vocalists yet it has the right balance of shine and detail. Though the blue mode offers up more tonal variation and fullness at times.
If you’re sticking with the DSD for the long-haul, the Hugo M Scaler is a worthy partner. It brings plenty more realism and clarity to an already great sounding DAC.
$5K, plus the $11k DAC to make full use of this device buys an awful lot of sealed vintage vinyl, no join-the-dots musical make-believe required.
As “…An open-minded electrical engineer and software developer”, are you proposing that GIGO (Garbage-In, Garbage-Out) is no longer true if the level of trickery is extensive- and fast-enough?
Honestly, if this ‘something-from-nothing’ reconstruction worked beyond being more subjectively-pleasing to the ear that is invested in hearing that difference, then its efficacy is easily tested — if you’re willing:
Simultaneously record at both 24/768 and 16/44 a musical instrument with a lot of high-frequency content and overtones beyond the range of Redbook (e.g., a crash cymbal) and then capture the upsampled output of the Chord at 24/768 playing the CD-resolution copy. Open the result in a Hex Editor with a range of descriptive statistical analyses (e.g., HHDs: https://freehexeditorneo.com/) and see how much it has in common with the Native 24-bit file.
Adding this information as an update to your review would provide a large degree of common agreement (or disagreement) regarding this device’s capabilities for your readers (who may be considering splashing out on the Chord on your recommendation) above and beyond what You find subjectively pleasing.
Of course, there’s no obligation to provide objective corroboration for your subjective listening impressions, but you ARE “…An open-minded electrical engineer and software developer” and should be as willing as you are capable…
cheers,
Sounds interesting. I’m open to doing these experiments at a later time.
In Signal Processing, upscaling is kinda interpolation. You certainly can’t restore the information already lost in lower rate sampling, but I don’t equal interpolation to GIGO processing!
If so called, Vinyl, though analog, is a different way of GIGO – lower DR, lower SNR, … to begin with and even human brain “interpret” that low quality signal, call we call it Higher Fidelity than digital? Probably not.
Noting perfect.
M Scaler is more than just interpolation. Is usesthe sinc (sin(x)/x) function that is the impulse function of the brickwall filter. With the sampling theory in mind this is the 100% correct interpolation. For a 44KHz sampling we are however bound with 22KHz music bandwidth, always. Information beyond 22KHz is lost forever. So no new information that is true but no need for a steep analog output filter.
From a scientific point of view, an empirical point of view, where you are coming from makes sense. But you’re not seriously suggesting that high end dacs and amps don’t improve the experience of listening to music are you ? Have you heard anything through Chord’s equipment ?
At the end of the day, charts and science cannot explain even why we listen to music. It’s something very deep with our connection the the universe and anything that enhances that is more important than something showing me a wave on a chart and telling me there is no difference when I can hear it.
Great review Jay! My experiences with the Dave, Hugo 2 and HMS match yours. Of course you’ve done a lot more testing than I have. As an aside and in response to Dave Page’s comments, 44K (correctly bandlimited on digitizing) is not necessarily garbage in. Rob Watts’ perspective (based on extensive experience, measurements and theory and reflected in the white paper you mentioned on page 1 of this review) is that much of the 44K 16 bit digital out there is actually fine it the aspect of the ADC conversion. The bigger problem is converting from digital back to analog and that’s what the HMS enables so well. Having lived with a Chord Dave, an HMS and good power conditioning, etc. I can say that my listening to CD (or streamed CD quality) and also true HD content has pulled into roughly the same league as my highend vinyl rig. Sure there are differences, but this is a major step forward to make digital sound like analog. I too have spent many hours late into the night listening to my rig. I find this a really good way to determine my engagement – the Dave, HMS and my Focal headphones make it such that it’s hard to go to bed! One question: have you done any testing with say a Hugo TT 2 directly into efficient small speakers (with an augmented powered sub). I’m considering such a system for my kitchen/dining area.
Thank you for your insight, Bob! I was actually waiting for parts to build my own speaker adapters to drive with the TT 2 (hence the delay). It also took some time to get custom headphone cables built for the XLRs. What can I say, I like to be thorough lol Are there any particular speakers you’re thinking about driving them with?
Great that you’re about to try the TT2 direct into speakers! I don’t have any particular speakers in mind although I’d be using them with a Rel T5 sub. The speakers themselves would need to be pretty efficient and also fairly small (~15 inches tall or so and maybe 10 inches deep at most, maybe 8 inches wide). Super loud isn’t important for me – I’m trying to just fill a space with wonderful music (prefer a really large sound with great presence and tone. Super precise imaging is nice but not critical). Also, these speakers must go right up against a wall.
Hi Jay – thanks for one of the best audio websites out there today. I wanted to check in on your testing of the Hugo TT 2 driving efficient speakers. I am building some open baffle speakers using a 100 db efficient full range range driver and would consider buying a TT 2 if it sounds fantastic driving efficient speakers. What thoughts do you have on this or can you provide a link to your TT 2 review if you covered it there?
It still depends on speaker design, but I’m 99% sure you won’t be disappointed if you use the TT 2 (XLR) to drive your 100dB speakers. It has tonal qualities I enjoy more than even the Chord DAVE. I’ve only used the XLR outputs to drive the Abyss headphones so far
I’m planning on doing a video review of the TT 2 soon. Any efficient loudspeakers under $1,000 you’d recommend for the review?
I’ve been researching drivers and not speakers so not sure I can be of much help here – the usual suspects I think of come from Klipsch (RP-600M), Tekton Design (various models), and Zu Audio Omen Dirty Weekend II. I have no experience with these speakers other than listening to the Klipsch at a large box store…..
The drivers I want to run are Lii Audio Crystal-10s in an open baffle design.
Thanks
A few other ideas speaker wise – check out the Caintuck Audio site for their open baffle speakers and email Randy for his opinions on which might work best for your review. Also Buchardt S300 perhaps.
Hello Jay. I’m using hugo2/mscaler now and have two options next. Either add a TT2 to my mscaler or trade in my hugo2/mscaler and pay the difference and get a new dave. Im leaning towards dave but i’m reluctant to part with my mscaler. The caveat here is that if i get a dave i will need to wait at least a year to buy another mscaler as my budget for audio will have reached its limit. I use oppo pm1 headphones. thanks.
The DAVE sounds more convincing in transparency and resolution – and probably flow and layering as well. I think the tone of the TT 2 is more of my tastes though. If you do mostly headphone listening, you’d be fine with the TT 2 + M Scaler. As I’ve mentioned, if you don’t have a better power cord for the DAVE, it’s even more of a reason to keep the TT 2 + HMS.
Hey Jay, do you still have the Terminator loaner? The new user replaceable DSP board is coming in a week or two for it & among an improved USB functions & dual AES support, it will add a slow filter mode. This might change the perceived clinical sound you were hearing.
Unfortunately, I had to pass the DAC to another reviewer.
Thanks Jay. Will keep you up posted as i continue my chord dac journey. Your advice is much valued. I just wonder if a third party power cord might actually do some harm if it is not specifically designed to run with a dave? The stock one at the least is designed for dave.
Thank you for your kind words. Hm, I haven’t had any problems with any power cords with the DAVE – even with DIY cables.
Just a side note: Listening to the TT 2 @ 16X right now and it sounds so damn good. It has a truer tone. But the DAVE sounds more “real” in every other way.
Interesting review Jay. Has Chord just provided a more cost effective upgrade path for Blu owners with the M-Scaler at half the price of a Blu Mk2?
Some owners of the Blu2 and HMS say the differences weren’t significant on their end. In my case, it was appreciable enough. It could be the cables or something else in the system. YMMV. I’ll clarify that in the review.
As far as an “upgrade” path, I’m not sure if that’s even possible without sending the unit in. I wouldn’t expect Chord to do that since the HMS was released a little over a year (?) after. Improvements are expected – that’s just how it goes.
Jay,can you expand a bit further on the Hugo 2+ m scaler? Assuming one has a Hugo 2, ~5k , and a desire to update, would one be better served by purchasing an m scaler and using the Hugo 2/M Scaler combo OR purchase the TT2?
In short, would the better option be Hugo 2+ scaler OR Hugo TT2 (and pros/cons of each?
This review was exceptional and answered questions many have. Could you give your thoughts on the scenario above?
Others may disagree, but the Hugo 2 is definitely on the cooler end as far as tonality. Even at its warmest filter – the TT2, to my ears, has a more natural, warm tone. So if you’re a stickler for tonality, I would go TT2. However, if you prioritize depth, resolution, soundstage, clarity, transparency – go with the Hugo 2 + M Scaler.
you can always plug a warm analog amp on the analog output of the Hugo2 if you want a warmer sound of of the combo. Hugo2 has always been on the cold side, so if you like it the way it is I doubt it would matter.
M.
GO WITH TT2 IF YOU LATER PLAN TO ADD AN MSCALER. IF THAT IS BEYOND YOUR BUDGET THE HUGO2/MSCALER COMBO DEFINITELY OUTPERFORMS A SOLO TT2. THE MSCALER IS OUTSTANDING. TRY YOUR SOURCE WIRED INTO HUGO2 INSTEAD OF PASS THRU ON THE MSCALER FOR A TRUE COMPARISON OF HUGO 2 VS MSCALER WITH HUGO2. SO IF HUGO2/MSCALER IS YOUR LIMIT GO THAT WAY. I AM USING HUGO2/MSCALER FOR THE LAST YEAR HOPEFULLY UPGRADING TO TT2 SOON.
Folks this isn’t really rocket science.. the whole point of the scaler is to take the original music you play and “enhance” it. Fill in the gaps.
I have the Dave/blu2 combination with usbultra and world clock etc.. and to be frank I can’t tell the difference between a mp3 from itunes and a high resolution file when I play it via my system with the scaler.
I have some exact same recording in mp3 and high res and they sound the same.. and I’m not just saying that I listen hours per day almost every day and that’s what the chord scaler can do…..
Now of course.. it won’t fix a completely fumbled recording no matter what… source is important… but as long as its a decent mp3 you won’t notice the difference……. that has been my experience…… Regards…
How does this differ from and improve upon the upscaling that you can already do in Roon?
Fantastically comprehensive and insightful review, thank you!! I’m interested in hearing what it does to my h2 , but the adapter’s sound like a weak link. Please would you consider posting the wiring diagram for you diy adapter. Thanks again :):)
If you record the enhanced playback to a CD 16k 44. Will they processed recording be improved or will the M Scaler improvements be lost to the recording limitations?
My guess is that it’ll improve.
Hi Jay, thanks for the REALLY helpful review <3 i have a Question Regarding M-Scaler's Filters
Range is from Red to White (x16)
from what i understood, Blue is the sweet point and kind of the best of both sides. white is warmer.
so if i listen to J-pop for example. which filter will suit it more? Red? Green? since i noticed that the others keep adding warmth, and J-pop want fun/fast speed and decay for toe tapping.
what do you think? thanks in advance.
does 16x have same treble fun for J-pop as x4? or less as its focus on being accurate. i am using TH-900
have a Question. i notice Blue is the sweet point and kind of the best of both sides. white is warmer.
so if i listen to J-pop for example. which filter will suit it more? Red? Green? since i noticed that the others keep adding warmth, and J-pop want fun/fast speed and decay for toe tapping.
which filter got the most Treble Sparkle/Energy/Extension/in your face persay.
what do you think? thanks in advance.
Interesting, I feel white is definitely cooler as far as tonal color. I have my HMS on blue for 99% of my listening. If you want speed/decay, stick to white. If you want really warm – red. If you want balance, blue. Green is a little weird.
Hi Jay, Thanks for this awesome review.
I have a DAVE with a Leben cs 1000p power amplifier. You recommend the M Scaler in my case?
Thanks!!
Manel
Hi Jay, I have a Qutest and have been thinking about upgrading my DAC. Was initially thinking about the Terminator based on reviews but now I am thinking to just pair and MScaler with my Qutest. Could you give me some brief thoughts about the Qutest/MScaler Combo vs the Denefrips Terminator. Which would you choose ?
I haven’t heard the latest iteration of the Terminator, so I could only speak on the my own experience. If you enjoy more hype, resolution, soundstage, and an overall cleaner sound, go with Denafrips. If you want something more organic, smooth, and tonally accurate go with the Qutest + Mscaler. However, I would strongly suggest finding someone who has done comparisons with the updated Terminator before purchasing.
I must contribute that you are the most thoughtful, patient reviewer I have ever encountered, which is fantastic. Don’t waver!
Jay, thank you this is a great review,
– this difference between “truer tonality” and “more real” is at the core of your explanation between TT2/HMS and DAVE. I don’t understand it fully. Can you please use a piece of music to illustrate what you mean?
So if I’m listening to Mahler 5th symphony, the DAVE is closest to making it sound “real”, ie, as if I am there in the hall, but the tone is not as “true” as the TT2/HMS? Meaning the DAVE does not reflect the bass-mid-treble as accurately?
PS What is your primary DAC at the moment?
Wonderful site, love your passion!
R
Great review. However you didn’t answer the question that I’m stuck with at this point. Budget will only allow either a TT2 or a Qutest+M-scaler. Your thoughts on these two combos?
Roscoe