Chord M-Scaler and Should I Want One?

@adasdad , thanks, I had linked that article above. The article says they upsampled to 176kbps when connecting to the Gryphon DAC. That leads me to believe they were using TOSLINK and not the SPDIF connection option on the Gryphon DAC module (which would need to be RCA on the M-Scaler side but BNC on the Gryphon DAC side (I think most cable companies will mix and match connectors in this scenario?)

But this does lead me to the unresolved debate on the pros and cons of various digital interfaces, USB vs TOSLINK vs SPDIF, etc….. The experts end up saying what matters most is the implementation of the interface by the manufacturer, and not the interface itself.

Either way, I don’t know how good or bad the SPDIF connection is (which I’d need to use for the m-scaler if/when I bought one) in my Gryphon DAC module, vs the USB interface for which I know Gryphon went to town on. I wish I could do an interface bake off with my current gear, but Innuos only has USB outputs.

Anyone have any reasons why NOT to consider the M Scaler with my Gryphon DAC? The M Scaler seems to be one of those rare products that almost everyone unanimously says is great. Sort of like the Innuos PhoenixUSB. And my Diablo 300 amp.

My radar is always on the lookout for such products where everyone agrees they are great and Amir at Audiosciencereview says is garbage. Usually such products are worth paying attention to.

@tom23 , thanks for that link. The way the M Scaler is described is 100% the same way I’d describe the effect my Innuos PhoenixUSB adds to my system. I’ve since read that others who have both the Phoenix and the M Scaler also describe the effect of each as being identical. To be clear, I’ve read that others have said both together sound the best, but on their own, they both seem to add the same effect.

With this in mind, while I love my PhoenixUSB and couldn’t be happy without it now, I feel like adding that effect again might be "too much of a good thing".

In the link you mentioned the reviewer noted that maybe the Chord Dave has better detail than the TT2/ M Scaler, the Dave with all its detail might draw your attention to the detail and as such enjoyment of the music could be diminished. Another example of "too much of a good thing".

I do have a bit of a concern adding an M Scaler might be similar considering the effect the PhoenixUSB added, while welcome, might be overdoing things if that effect was added again.

The other factor is that upsampling is limited to 176k or 192k (not sure which) with my Gryphon Diablo DAC module. The review I linked noted the M Scaler sounded awesome with his Gryphon DAC, but he didn’t have the Phoenix, and he was using a homemade audiophile modded PC as a streamer.

Hmmm....

Maybe I'll seek out a used M Scaler and just give it a shot.  Can always sell it.

@mrc4u , not sure if you are still monitoring Audiogon forums as I see you haven't posted in a while.  But I read your old post noting your experience connecting the M Scaler with the Diablo 300's DAC, before you added the Chord DAC. You also noted that you prefer a weightier sound which is also why I chose the Diablo 300 a few years back.

I'm not looking to add a standalone DAC.  Would you say, from your experience, that the M Scaler is worthwhile addition connected to the Gryphon DAC, using its SPDIF BNC input?

If you haven't been there already a good place for research might be on the Head-Fi official thread. You can enquire about the in-depth technical considerations there including to Rob Watts.

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