{"id":312209,"date":"2026-03-17T02:20:59","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T02:20:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/podcasts\/rob-watts\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T07:40:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T07:40:56","slug":"rob-watts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/podcasts\/rob-watts\/","title":{"rendered":"Podcast: Chord DACs &amp; Digital Audio Mysteries with Rob Watts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Chord Electronics\u2019 digital audio consultant Rob Watts takes us on a deep dive into the challenges of reproducing lifelike sound from 16-bit\/44.1kHz PCM digital audio (CD quality music from compact discs or streaming) over his 40+ year career. From his groundbreaking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/home-audio\/dac\/\">DAC<\/a> designs priced from $650 to $20,000, to why off-the-shelf chips can&#8217;t compete, Rob explains how his unique approach to D\/A (digital to analog) conversion goes beyond conventional measurement-based audio engineering. He also previews Chord\u2019s next flagship product, the Quartet M Scaler, which will build on the Hugo M Scaler, and shares his thoughts on DSD, the importance of cables, and hidden sonic factors like RF and power supply issues. Even 45 years after the CD&#8217;s debut, there&#8217;s still high-resolution audio left to uncover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Sponsor<\/strong>: Thank you to our sponsor <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kqzyfj.com\/56102ox52x4KPPLUOUKMPQOLPMP?sid=ytz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">SVS<\/a><\/strong> for your support.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><iframe allow=\"autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"175\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:660px;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\"  itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/perfect-sound-forever-why-arent-we-there-yet\/id1566783125?i=1000755635047\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This episode was recorded on October 28, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-to-listen\">Where to listen:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Apple Podcasts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/d7bd503a-44b9-49e0-9142-c8fcf26afade\/the-ecoustics-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Amazon Music<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/3KNF8mDyKNHL8UKIDKFZPD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spotify<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iheart.com\/podcast\/53-the-ecoustics-podcast-82342871\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iHeart Radio<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/show\/the-ecoustics-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Spreaker<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/show\/the-ecoustics-podcast\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Stitcher<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.deezer.com\/us\/show\/2623002\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Deezer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/castbox.fm\/channel\/id4165314?country=us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Castbox<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/podcastaddict.com\/podcast\/3333091\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Podcast Addict<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-ecoustics-podcast\/id1566783125\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.podchaser.com\/podcasts\/the-ecoustics-podcast-1872156\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pod-chaser<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/tunein.com\/podcasts\/Technology-Podcasts\/the-ecoustics-podcast-p1676049\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">TuneIn<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/6nBuY2Tt_pY\">YouTube<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-on-the-panel\">On the Panel:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rob Watts, Digital Audio Consultant, <a href=\"https:\/\/chordelectronics.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Chord Electronics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brian Mitchell, eCoustics Founder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"896\" height=\"948\"  itemprop=\"image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chord-dacs-2026.jpg\" alt=\"chord-dacs-2026\" class=\"wp-image-312213\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chord-dacs-2026.jpg 896w, https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/chord-dacs-2026-768x813.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 896px) 100vw, 896px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-to-buy-chord-dacs\">Where to buy Chord DACs:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chord Mojo 2 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/audioadvice.io\/4lRndDj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">$650 at Audio Advice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chord Qutest &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/audioadvice.io\/4dleHKk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">$1,625 at Audio Advice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chord Hugo 2 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/audioadvice.io\/4uxvKPB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">$2,595 at Audio Advice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chord Hugo TT2 &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/audioadvice.io\/416saOL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">$5,100 at Audio Advice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chord Hugo M Scaler &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/audioadvice.io\/418zTfb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">$4,650 at Audio Advice<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chord Dave &#8211; $14,900<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-related-links\">Related Links:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/ask-an-expert\/wtf-dac\/\">WTF is a DAC?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/ask-an-expert\/wtf-hi-res-audio\/\">WTF is Hi-Res Audio (High Resolution Audio)?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/products\/chord-mojo-2-2025\/\">Chord Mojo 2 (2025 model) Gets USB-C Charging and 4.4mm Socket<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/reviews\/chord-mojo-2-portable-dac\/\">Chord Mojo 2 (2022 model) Review<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/home-audio\/dac\/\">The Latest DAC News and Reviews<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-related-podcasts\">Related Podcasts:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/podcasts\/mark-waldrep-interview-episode-8\/\">Podcast: Is Hi-Res Audio More Hype Than Reality? w\/ Dr. Mark Waldrep<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/podcasts\/qobuz-connect-david-solomon\/\">Podcast: Qobuz Connect with David Solomon<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ecoustics.com\/podcasts\/well-made-music\/\">Podcast: Well Made Music &amp; DSD?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Credits:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Original intro music by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sourceoflightandpower.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Arc of All<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sspunlimited.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SSP Unlimited<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Production by Mitch Anderson,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/blackcircleradio.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Black Circle Studios<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Rob Watts, Digital Audio Consultant for Chord Electronics reveals what he&#8217;s learned about digital audio, designing DACs, and hearing things we can&#8217;t measure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":312494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":false,"apple_news_is_preview":false,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":"\"\"","apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[82,27],"tags":[19888,19889,4432,14452,5599],"class_list":{"0":"post-312209","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-video","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dac","8":"category-podcasts","9":"tag-chord-2","10":"tag-chord-electronics","11":"tag-dacs","12":"tag-featured","13":"tag-podcast","14":"post_format-post-format-video"},"apple_news_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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