Check out the Mojo 2 and more from Chord Electronics here: https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2
In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Vaughan of Chord Electronics for a conversation about sound, technology, and why digital-to-analog conversion matters more than most people realize.
Tom’s path into audio is anything but typical. Before working in high-end audio, he was a professional bassoonist, and that background gives him a really interesting perspective on how music is performed, recorded, and ultimately experienced by the listener.
We talk about the evolution of Chord Electronics, the impact of their Hugo DAC, and what makes one converter feel different from another — not just in terms of specs, but in timing, accuracy, depth, and emotional connection.
We also get into the practical side of listening: how DACs, headphones, speakers, and monitoring chains shape the decisions musicians, producers, mixers, and mastering engineers make every day.
At the heart of it all is a simple idea: better sound helps us connect more deeply with music. And whether you’re creating, recording, mixing, mastering, or just listening, the way your system translates that music matters.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to High-End Audio and Chord Electronics
03:09 The Journey of Tom Vaughan: From Musician to Engineer
11:34 The Unique Sound of the Bassoon and Its Role in Music
16:24 Recording Techniques for Woodwind Instruments
20:32 Comparative Analysis of Woodwind Instruments
21:41 Exploring Sound Generation and Musical Foundations
22:41 The Evolution of Chord Electronics
27:00 Innovations in Digital to Analog Conversion
31:12 The Impact of Hugo on the DAC Market
36:19 Understanding the Differences in DAC Quality
41:40 The Importance of Quality Audio Conversion
43:53 Understanding Digital to Analog Conversion
45:01 Perception and Experience in Audio
48:00 The Role of DACs in Recording
51:10 Upgrading Your Audio Setup
55:59 Choosing the Right Equipment for Your Needs
01:03:15 Understanding Digital to Analog Conversion
01:12:10 Desert Island Gear: The Essentials for Musicians
01:18:45 The Role of Retailers in Music Equipment Distribution
01:22:01 The Importance of Quality Sound in Music Production
Key Five Takeaways
* Tom Vaughan brings a rare perspective to audio, combining his background as a bassoonist with his work in high-end audio engineering.
* Digital-to-analog conversion plays a major role in how we perceive depth, detail, timing, and emotional connection in music.
* Chord Electronics approaches DAC design differently, using FPGA-based technology rather than standard off-the-shelf DAC chips.
* Better monitoring and conversion can help musicians, producers, mixers, and mastering engineers make more confident creative decisions.
* At its core, the conversation is about the bridge between technical accuracy and emotional impact — how better sound can bring us closer to the performance.
Resources & Links
Chord Electronics - https://chordelectronics.co.uk/
Chord Mojo 2 - https://chordelectronics.co.uk/mojo-2
Chord Hugo 2 - https://chordelectronics.co.uk/product/hugo-2
Chord Alto - https://chordelectronics.co.uk/product/alto
Dan Millice - https://www.millicemastering.com/
@NaturlAudio AL-1 Limiter - https://naturl.audio/
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