Chord Hugo M Scaler Digital Upscaling Device

The Hugo M Scaler is a highly advanced standalone upscaler capable of redefining sound quality from digital audio. It uses Rob Watts’ (Chord’s digital design consultant) unique filter technology to upscale standard 44.1 kHz digital audio up to 705.6 kHz, ready to be passed to a suitable DAC. Hugo M Scaler extends its upscaling performance to 768 kHz (from 96 kHz input data) for Chord’s dual-BNC-input DACs: Qutest, Hugo 2, Hugo TT 2, and DAVE.

The Hugo M Scaler brings the unrivaled advantages of Chord’s ground-breaking FPGA-based WTA (Watts Transient Alignment) filtering technology to digitally connected audio devices, dramatically improving sound quality. Although optimized for use with selected Chord Electronics DACs (for the maximum 768 kHz 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.

Features

• Highly advanced digital filter
• Adjustable sample rate output (with pass-thru mode)
• Video mode (for lower latency)
• Auto video and source selection
• ‘DX’ controls for future product design 

Specifications

 Tap-length filter: 1,015,808 (16 FS filter)

Inputs: 1 x galvanically isolated type-B USB, 2 x coax BNC, 2 x optical

Outputs: 1 x galvanically isolated dual BNC (enables upscaling to the maximum 768 kHz), 1 x BNC S/PDIF, 1 x optical

PCM support (16-32 bit, kHz): 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 358.8, 384, 705.6 and 768

Driver support: Driver required for Windows OS 

Dimensions (HWD): 1.57″ x 9.25″ x 9.37″ (4 x 23.5 x 23.8 cm)

Weight: 5.62 lb (2.55 kg)