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Watts, Chord, community and miscellany

Answers on this topic

Everything he said on this topic (81)

One-line summaries in our words, oldest first. Each link opens the original.

2015-10-03Watts says Chord initially objected to him giving away information, but he posts because he enjoys it and no one else pursues long-tap WTA filters. Head-Fi, Oct 2015
2015-12-04Watts cites 27 years designing DACs and silicon chip experience, says no rival DAC has caught his attention, and that Dave sets new measurement standards. Head-Fi, Dec 2015
2016-03-01Watts says Dave was tested with HE1000 and all popular headphones and only one needed more power, no design suits every headphone, and he will stop answering a hostile poster. Head-Fi, Mar 2016
2016-03-01Watts says he enjoys the community and will keep posting, has agreed with Jude to start a blog with an ADC and power amp diary, and welcomes honest challenges. Head-Fi, Mar 2016
2016-03-23Watts introduces his blog: a first article on listening tests is coming, then technical topics and projects under development, chiefly the digital power amp and the Davina ADC. Head-Fi, Mar 2016
2016-03-24Watts says he will describe the tracks he uses for listening tests in a blog post in the next few days. Head-Fi, Mar 2016
2016-03-31Watts says he is independent of Chord and owns his WTA, noise-shaping and pulse array IP, so he can discuss projects like Davina and the power amp, not future products. Head-Fi, Mar 2016
2016-04-10Watts says something is not as easy as it sounds, and that he will publish test recordings with differing options from the Davina project. Head-Fi, Apr 2016
2016-09-05Watts says Head-Fi rules stop him criticizing an obviously Mola-Mola graphic, and notes he designed PWM chip DACs in 2002 but met fundamental limits on noise shaping and transients. Head-Fi, Sep 2016
2016-10-14Watts says sponsors get no privilege on Head-Fi, describes his factual posts about another manufacturer being deleted, and says he prefers heavy moderation to vulgar disputes despite valuing free speech. Head-Fi, Oct 2016
2016-10-18Watts says he paused Davina to finish the new Blu for a show, hopes to finish the Davina PCB by end of October, and will publish test recordings. Head-Fi, Oct 2016
2017-04-08Watts says his posting shows he is no longer in bug-solving or panic mode on Blu 2 or Hugo 2. needs context Head-Fi, Apr 2017
2017-04-24Watts declines a technical rebuttal and asks the poster whether they have actually heard what an M scaler does. needs context Head-Fi, Apr 2017
2017-04-25Watts says posting clips would be technically possible and he would like to, but he would need copyright permission. needs context Head-Fi, Apr 2017
2017-05-01Watts relays from Jude that Head-Fi was forced onto a new platform when its host quit, calls the move a major job, and asks readers to cut them slack. Head-Fi, May 2017
2017-05-08Watts says he hears the M scaler in phone clips via bass, warmth and soundstage, and Davina will let him post better clips once its USB works. Head-Fi, May 2017
2017-05-31Watts says forum rules stop him commenting on other DACs' sound or measurements, and reports Hugo 2 winning further Japanese awards, including at the 2017 Headphone Festival. Head-Fi, May 2017
2017-08-12Watts says he keeps the filter on green, that Hugo 1 let him enjoy poor archive recordings, and advises trusting posts that describe differences in detail over 'different league' claims. Head-Fi, Aug 2017
2017-10-13Watts disagrees that Head-Fi made Hugo possible, saying Hugo started development when he was only vaguely aware of Head-Fi. Head-Fi, Oct 2017
2017-10-21Watts says Hugo 2's USB has full RF filtering, he heard no change with many USB cables, doubts cable ferrites matter, and heard no optical vs USB difference from a laptop. Head-Fi, Oct 2017
2017-11-30Watts asks whether that applies even when some posters talk complete nonsense. needs context Head-Fi, Nov 2017
2017-12-05Watts says Head-Fi forums have been Chord's savior, since owners' genuine enthusiasm builds word of mouth, and Chord's success is solely down to forums and customers. RMAF 54:43
2018-01-11Watts asks posters to bring the thread back onto Qutest. Head-Fi, Jan 2018
2018-01-13Watts says super caps would not help Dave, defends Hugo 2's output stage, and says Dave below +4 and Hugo 2 below white never clip with headphones. Head-Fi, Jan 2018
2018-08-27Watts says the M scaler draws 13W, asks posters to keep Head-Fi life-affirming, and says MQA's first unfold belongs in the player but the original 44.1k is better. Head-Fi, Aug 2018
2018-09-26Watts asks posters to keep the thread civilized and focus on facts rather than personalities. Head-Fi, Sep 2018
2018-11-21Watts says next time someone asks the best way to connect his designs he will be less inclined to answer, warning of unintended consequences. needs context Head-Fi, Nov 2018
2018-12-12Watts says he hesitated to publish the numbers for fear of the Sound Science Brigade, but released them because everyone hearing DAVE comments on its deeper depth. Pursuit Perfect System 26:01
2018-12-23Watts clarifies he called live amplified music awful, not genres; he loves prog rock, electronica and classical, says the M Scaler enhances depth, and asks for tolerance. Head-Fi, Dec 2018
2019-03-18Watts says explaining things simply focuses his mind, and since he spends most waking time on audio design, he enjoys posting and attending CanJams. Head-Fi, Mar 2019
2019-04-17Watts heard no change from ferrites on USB, suggests trying 300 MHz types, says clip-ons surprisingly made the Hugo M Scaler brighter, and defends his honesty. Head-Fi, Apr 2019
2019-05-28Watts says 2 uS of 1 kHz jitter on SPDIF measures nothing down to -180 dB, and rejects a salesman label, calling himself a measurement and controlled-listening designer. Head-Fi, May 2019
2019-09-23Watts says every post is the truth as he sees it, calling honesty good long-term business because readers would catch any untruth and reputation is lost only once. Head-Fi, Sep 2019
2020-01-14Watts reminds posters this is a Chord thread and asks them to discuss other products in an appropriate thread. Head-Fi, Jan 2020
2020-01-14Watts says forum rules and professional courtesy prevent him discussing other companies' products, so he asks repeated comparisons go to an appropriate thread. Head-Fi, Jan 2020
2020-08-22Watts confirms DAVE 2 is not on his horizon, says projects take at least 18 months and DAVE over 3 years, stresses honesty, and calls dCS's philosophy very different. Head-Fi, Aug 2020
2021-06-07Watts says he will reply by PM to avoid derailing the thread, having said enough about PGGB. Head-Fi, Jun 2021
2021-06-16Watts denies being another poster, saying he only posts as Rob Watts on forums and newspaper comments. Head-Fi, Jun 2021
2021-08-19Watts says Opto-DX isolates fully only with batteries on both sides, and calls his volume truncation noise-shapers subjectively lossless but not bit perfect, a claim he is researching. Head-Fi, Aug 2021
2022-01-31Watts says forums show how people use products within days of launch, unlike 20 years ago, and notes one Mojo buyer will call it way too bright. Darko.Audio 43:20
2022-01-31Watts says he does not know but expects it to happen soon, and is waiting so he can post his technical presentation. needs context Head-Fi, Jan 2022
2022-01-31Watts says he will post the technical details and more on his blog Watts up...? once Chord formally launches the product. needs context Head-Fi, Jan 2022
2022-01-31Watts says his technical presentation is up on his blog. Head-Fi, Jan 2022
2022-03-08Watts describes his first orchestra recording with a ribbon mic into a Focusrite Scarlett, matching live volume on Hugo 2 and Stealth at blue, and TT2 driving his 803 D3s. Head-Fi, Mar 2022
2022-03-16Watts describes recording an amateur orchestra with a Blumlein ribbon mic into a Focusrite ADC, compares playback with live, and blames lost depth, transients and timbre on the ADC. Head-Fi, Mar 2022
2022-03-22Watts says being active on forums lets him see reactions to his designs, which helps him improve performance, for example with a source issue, and features. article, Mar 2022
2022-04-19Watts shares the full 19 March ChromaMusic orchestra concert, a Blumlein recording by his son with one AEA R88 ribbon mic into a Focusrite Scarlett 18i8, unprocessed and battery powered. Head-Fi, Apr 2022
2022-04-28Watts asks a poster on what technical basis they claim he is incapable of beating headphone amps. Head-Fi, Apr 2022
2022-07-11Watts says M Scaler DSD handling matches Hugo 2 and TT2, converting DSD64 through DSD512 to 705 kHz 24-bit; he also praises forum civility and calls audiophile patents marketing. Head-Fi, Jul 2022
2022-08-24Responding to a reviewer's claim of no time-domain difference between TT2 and a cheap DAC, Watts advises ignoring the 'faux reviews' and measurements and not visiting the site. Head-Fi, Aug 2022
2022-09-02Watts thanks a TT2 owner and says he is often caught between replying and staying silent, deleting many drafts, trusting posters to listen and judge for themselves. Head-Fi, Sep 2022
2022-09-09Watts thanks posters, says he has felt under personal attack for months, and restates his aim of closing the gap between reproduced and live unamplified music through listening tests. Head-Fi, Sep 2022
2022-09-18Watts says his test recordings, downloadable from his blog, give very good left-right placement accuracy when heard on Stealth headphones. The Source AV 17:50
2022-12-12Watts says Daniel is editing the concert recording, which will be posted on the Watts Up thread before Christmas, including carols. Head-Fi, Dec 2022
2023-02-05Watts says around 2016 people began using linear supplies with 2Qute, illustrating how forums help his work. Soundnews 37:22
2023-03-15Watts adds a reason to those another poster gave: this is his passion, and sharing his work's results with interested people is a privilege. needs context Head-Fi, Mar 2023
2023-03-26Watts says accurate shared description matters, so he ignores Head-Fi posts that only say something sounds better, giving more weight to detailed descriptions. Eric's Hi-Fi 36:27
2023-03-28Watts recommends reading his Head-Fi postings. The Headphone Show 54:47
2023-05-28Watts rejects a poster's accusation that he lied about TT2 power supplies, pointing to the consistency of his posts over many years. Head-Fi, May 2023
2023-07-15Watts says all M scalers will work with all current DACs, including Mojo 2 and Hugo 2 via dual data, that scaler benefits need long-term listening, and urges forum civility. Head-Fi, Jul 2023
2023-07-24Watts says if the ADC works he will share recordings, including test tracks of sounds at different depths and percussion for speed and impact, plus amateur orchestra recordings. Head-Fi, Jul 2023
2023-08-26Watts explains as a trade member he cannot rank rivals' filters, would never falsely call one worse, and criticizes PGGB's marketing claims and implementation. Head-Fi, Aug 2023
2023-09-02Watts recalls a gentlemanly conversation with an unnamed person, criticizes overpriced high-end products promoted by media, and says forums like Head-Fi democratize reviewing. Head-Fi, Sep 2023
2023-12-18Watts rejects critics questioning his hearing, says the gap from live unamplified sound to reproduction still feels huge but narrows yearly, and cites live instruments at home. Head-Fi, Dec 2023
2024-06-01Watts says he engages with Head-Fi and CanJams because people are polite, and argues politeness and humility allow learning from differing opinions. Head-Fi, Jun 2024
2026-03-17Watts says contact him by Head-Fi PM; next year begins an active-loudspeaker project, and since Mojo 2's EQ is transparent, replacing passive crossovers should greatly improve speakers. ecoustics 1:28:33
2026-08-30Watts says the studio gave musicians and studio time and allowed them to release the recordings, which they will publish. The Source AV 18:23
2026-10-02Watts says audio is his passion and life, and he likes talking about it. HiFi Buys 2:19:16
2026-10-02Watts says audience size is irrelevant, and he reads the forums because the old cycle of reviews six months after launch gave no feedback on use. HiFi Buys 2:19:29
2026-10-02Watts says people at shows will not tell you they dislike a product, so that feedback was missing. HiFi Buys 2:20:20
2026-10-02Watts says audiophiles are mostly nice, polite people who do not want to complain. HiFi Buys 2:20:34
2026-10-02Watts says forum users report problems immediately, revealing reliability issues and the countless gear combinations that neither he nor Chord's test suite can cover. HiFi Buys 2:20:45
2026-10-02Watts says forum reports that power supplies changed 2Qute's sound worried him, so he tested it on a car battery, as a 12 volt input device. HiFi Buys 2:21:42
2026-10-02Watts says forum reports of USB sources sounding different led to galvanic isolation on DAVE, the first product with it, still at 768 kHz. HiFi Buys 2:23:47
2026-10-02Watts says Head-Fi also shows how people are. needs context HiFi Buys 2:24:13
2026-10-02Watts says Head-Fi gave Chord instant reaction: when Hugo came out people raved within days and sales rose, and headphones have improved markedly. HiFi Buys 2:25:23
2026-10-02Watts says it is great talking to enthusiastic people. HiFi Buys 2:26:08
2026-10-02Watts says it is great fun, and other companies' engineers do not talk because they have nothing to say or would dilute it into marketing. HiFi Buys 2:27:12
2026-10-02Watts says the industry is dysfunctional: despite his talking about transient timing since DAC64 in 1999, and Mojo and Mojo 2 selling well over one hundred thousand devices, nobody discusses it. HiFi Buys 2:27:55
2026-10-02Watts says audio is his life, so it would be crazy not to talk about it. HiFi Buys 2:36:27
2026-10-17Watts says he will send copies of the recordings, which he calls extraordinary, and that both produced something really interesting. article, Oct 2026