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Chord M-Scaler burn-in advice/input welcomed

I’m evaluating a Chord M-Scaler (HMS) with my existing well burned-in Qutest DAC. I’m using two Nordost Silver Shadow digital coax BNC cables for HMS output to the Qutest to get full upscaling capability (705/768).  One of the ‘Nordost cables is completely new.

It’s only has 11 hours play on it now and it sounds better than any solid state device or cable that I’ve ever used at this burn-in time. It’s still somewhat peaky, has a narrow soundstage, no layers in the depth but is very listenable and I’m optimistic for major improvements. 
What should I pay close attention to?  How much burn-in have you required for major improvements like soundstage width and depth? Pace and organic-ness of the music? Other attributes?  Tonality is surprisingly decent now. Not perfect, but decent. Piano still strident at times.

‘Thanks for the input!

Terry

txp1

Showing 1 response by carlsbad2

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carlsbad2
1,364 posts
 

If ASR hates it, it must be good. Excellent contrarian indicator.

I assume you are wired but I’m surprised how many people are trying to stream wirelessly. I first tried the m-scaler with my DAVE while wireless (trying to figure out how to get a wire to my system). It just exacerbated the wireless degradation.

While struggling to get a wire installed I ran a temporary wire across the floor and immediately saw the benefit to my system. Took a few days to realize I needed to retry the M-scaler and now it does everything it is supposed to do. (I installed a permanent wire and just accepted that it isn’t hidden).

I don’t believe wires burn is but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I know that waiting for burn-in deflects a lot of returns.

Jerry

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