{"product_id":"chord-electronics-quartet-scaler","title":"Chord Electronics Quartet Scaler","description":"\u003csection class=\"product-introduction\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA reference-class digital audio upscaler featuring groundbreaking proprietary Blackbird WTA filter technology for unprecedented timing accuracy. Powered by 5x Xilinx FPGAs, the Quartet upscaler also benefits from an integrated Pulse Array ADC to upgrade analogue sources, too. Supplied with a sophisticated RF-rejecting power supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvanced proprietary Blackbird WTA Filter: \u003c\/strong\u003eUtilises the most advanced interpolation algorithm to deliver a tenfold improvement in transient timing accuracy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFive Xilinx FPGAs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Features massive processing capability with 3,700 DSP cores running over two million lines of proprietary code.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardware-level processing: \u003c\/strong\u003eAll digital filtering is implemented directly in hardware, completely avoiding the timing errors caused by software FFT convolution shortcuts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIntegrated Pulse Array ADC:\u003c\/strong\u003e The first Chord Electronics upscaler to accommodate analogue sources (such as turntables) via RCA inputs, eliminating traditional aliasing distortion through advanced decimation filtering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-box architecture:\u003c\/strong\u003e Separates the sensitive audio circuitry from a dedicated power supply featuring a proprietary pinch-off RF filter architecture to reject mains-borne noise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e108-bit lossless digital EQ: \u003c\/strong\u003eA ten-shelf equalisation system providing ±18 dB of adjustment across frequencies with zero degradation of signal quality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eComprehensive digital connectivity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Equipped with isolated USB-B, optical in, BNC in and dual BNC outputs supporting maximum resolution up to 768 kHz (optimised for pairing with the DAVE DAC).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgrammable Latency: \u003c\/strong\u003eOffers selectable delay from 10 milliseconds to three seconds to ensure perfect lip-sync during audio-visual playback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eThe Quartet represents the most significant advancement in digital audio technology in Chord Electronics’ history. A reference-class digital upscaler, the Quarter addresses a fundamental flaw inherent in standard digital playback: the subtle but critical mistiming of transients.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eAt the core of the Quartet’s performance is the all-new Blackbird WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filter. Representing the culmination of 46 years of specialised research, the Blackbird filter utilises a staggering four million filter ‘taps’—the technical measure of interpolation complexity. The Blackbird WTA represents a tenfold increase over previous WTA designs, achieving a tenfold improvement in transient timing accuracy, plus it has even more ‘taps’ at its disposal for even better performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eTo process this complex interpolation algorithm without compromise, the Quartet utilises five (5x) Xilinx FPGAs, (five times the processing power of the reference DAVE DAC).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eTechnically, nearly 100 per cent of the filter’s mathematical coefficients reach the theoretical ideal ‘sinc function,’ in other words, the ‘gold standard’ for perfect waveform reconstruction. Crucially, all filtering is executed directly within the hardware architecture. By avoiding the software-industry shortcut of FFT convolution, which converts audio to frequency data and back, introducing further timing errors, the Quartet preserves pure signal integrity, delivering unmatched transient fidelity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003eFor the first time in a Chord Electronics upscaler, the Quartet integrates a proprietary Pulse Array ADC (analogue-to-digital converter). This allows analogue sources, including high-end turntables, to benefit directly from the device’s upscaling power. By employing advanced decimation filtering, the integrated ADC eliminates traditional aliasing distortion, outperforming even dedicated studio-grade conversion hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003eTo protect the digital signal from interference, the Quartet benefits from a two-box configuration. The sensitive audio circuitry is isolated from an independent, Rob-Watts-designed power supply that incorporates a proprietary pinch-off RF filter architecture, achieving the exceptional sonic purity of a battery-powered device from a mains-connected unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eThe rear panel features comprehensive, isolated connectivity, including USB-B, optical, and dual BNC outputs capable of supporting maximum resolution up to 768 kHz. The Quartet is compatible with all Chord Electronics DACs and is capable of unlocking the full potential of the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDAVE DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 99.9025%; height: 254.8px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFull Power Consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e130 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStandby Power Consumption:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e20 W\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e7.8 cm (H) × 33.5 cm (W) × 15.2 cm (D) (also applies to the power supply)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e3 kg; PSU: 3.2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital Inputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e2 × BNC (or dual BNC)2 × Optical1 × USB-B (galvanically isolated)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital Outputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 39.2px;\"\u003e1 × Optical (192 kHz)1 × S\/PDIF2 × Dual BNC (768 kHz output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 34.1585%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnalogue Inputs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 62.622%; height: 19.6px;\"\u003e2 × RCA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Chord Electronics","offers":[{"title":"Silver","offer_id":56704537624962,"sku":"QUARTET_SCALER_SIL","price":25000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black","offer_id":56704537657730,"sku":"QUARTET_SCALER_BLK","price":25000.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2792\/5768\/files\/ChordQuartetfrontsilver.jpg?v=1781176634","url":"https:\/\/dougbradyhifi.com\/products\/chord-electronics-quartet-scaler","provider":"Doug Brady HiFi","version":"1.0","type":"link"}