NDX and Chord Hugo
Posted by: Foxman50 on 18 April 2014
I have been contemplating adding a DAC to my NDX/XPS2 to see (or should that be hear) what it can bring to the party. And so thought it about time i made inroads into Having a few home demos. After looking around at products that are within my budget i came across the Chord Hugo DAC.
Although it is meant to be a portable headphone unit, it can be used as a full line level fixed DAC.
The dealer lent me a TQ black digital coax lead, which have twist grip plugs. This was required as the present batch of Hugo's have a case design fault that wont allow any decent cable to fit, soon to be rectified. Thankfully the TQ just manages to hang on to the coax port.
Once all connected and gone through the minimal setup procedure of the Hugo, what does the red LED mean again, i left it to warm up for half an hour.
Poured a beer and sat down for an evenings listening.
What was that, where did that come from, that's what that instrument is. OMG, as my little'n would say, Where is it getting all this detail from.
After spending last night and today with it, all i can say is that it has totally transformed my system from top to bottom. I never considered my NDX to be veiled or shut in, not even sure that's the correct terms. All i can say is its opened up the sound stage and space around instruments. Everything I've put through it has had my toes, feet and legs tapping away to the music.
Even putting the toe tapping, the resolution the clarity to one side, what its greatest achievement for me has been in making albums that I've had trouble listening too enjoyable now.
One added bonus is that it has made the XPS redundant. I cannot hear any difference with it in or out of the system.
While i thought a DAC may make a change in the degree of the jump from ND5 to NDX, i was not prepared for this. Anyone looking at adding a PSU to there NDX may want to check this unit out first.
For me this has to be the bargain of the year.
Slightly off topic, but this thread does seem to have veered violently at times on it's long journey, however a couple of points stick in my head:
Would anyone advise someone to spend £2-3K on a streamer product to then not use the DAC section but shell out another £1,400 for that privilege?
Definitely if it sounds as good as a system costing £12K
2. Does SQ always trump functionality?
Nope, which is why i wouldn't use it as a pre amp
Dave
You don't need to spend £2-3k. It's possible to buy an excellent 'renderer' (streamer without a redundant DAC) for £1k e.g Moon Mind or Auralic Aries.
Got a Hugo next saturday for a couple of weeks of home evaluation.Using it with a Nagra CDP as a transport.
Really excited.From what posters have been saying it sounds like we have gone up a level in DACs.
My main system is Nagra PLL line stage and a Dartzeel NHB 108 poweramp into Quad 2805's and has amazing transparancy and soundstage.So throwing the Hugo into the mix from what posters have said with more detail coming threw sounds like a no brainer.
Will update you when Hugo arrives
Got a Hugo next saturday for a couple of weeks of home evaluation.Using it with a Nagra CDP as a transport.
Really excited.From what posters have been saying it sounds like we have gone up a level in DACs.
My main system is Nagra PLL line stage and a Dartzeel NHB 108 poweramp into Quad 2805's and has amazing transparancy and soundstage.So throwing the Hugo into the mix from what posters have said with more detail coming threw sounds like a no brainer.
Will update you when Hugo arrives
Nice system Tabby cat, bet that sounds wonderful as it is.
Graeme
Originally Posted by dave4jazz:
Slightly off topic, but this thread does seem to have veered violently at times on it's long journey, however a couple of points stick in my head:
Would anyone advise someone to spend £2-3K on a streamer product to then not use the DAC section but shell out another £1,400 for that privilege?
Definitely if it sounds as good as a system costing £12K
2. Does SQ always trump functionality?
Nope, which is why i wouldn't use it as a pre amp
Dave
You don't need to spend £2-3k. It's possible to buy an excellent 'renderer' (streamer without a redundant DAC) for £1k e.g Moon Mind or Auralic Aries.
I agree, I was just asking the question as the thread is comparing HDX and Hugo. Personally I'm very happy with my SBT(EDO)->DAC-V1 combination. At £200, for the SBT, on that well known auction site, it's a steal.
Dave
Originally Posted by dave4jazz:
Slightly off topic, but this thread does seem to have veered violently at times on it's long journey, however a couple of points stick in my head:
Would anyone advise someone to spend £2-3K on a streamer product to then not use the DAC section but shell out another £1,400 for that privilege?
Definitely if it sounds as good as a system costing £12K
2. Does SQ always trump functionality?
Nope, which is why i wouldn't use it as a pre amp
Dave
You don't need to spend £2-3k. It's possible to buy an excellent 'renderer' (streamer without a redundant DAC) for £1k e.g Moon Mind or Auralic Aries.
I agree, I was just asking the question as the thread is comparing HDX and Hugo. Personally I'm very happy with my SBT(EDO)->DAC-V1 combination. At £200, for the SBT, on that well known auction site, it's a steal.
Dave
With Culllen mods, of course
Analog
i find your posts very strange. You say how your V1 is so perfect for you and how Naim know how you like your music. Then you say you push all your music through some form of DSP processor so you don't listen to it bare.
Is it just me or are you always contradicting yourself.
Oh and don't stop posting until you've heard Hugo, i need my evening laugh reading your posts.
Graeme
And also, Naim sources never, but never get the bass guitar wrong
If the bass is wrong, the whole musical message is messed up beyond repair.
as a musician myself, it's an unforgivable mistake to make.
No point getting other details right if you can't hear what the bass guitar player is doing. The speed, timing, energy, the way he is playing.
OK so its about the bass, OK got that
When I have the DAC V1 playing movies, it makes my REL quake sound like another subwoofer altogether, and the quality of bass exceeds what I hear in the cinema. Of course not quantity, but quality is so much more enjoyable.
And in this department Naim is the best 
and that's what has always amazed me to Naim, how they get and understand what music is all about, and how they are able to manufacture kit that musicians fall in love with from the first few seconds of replay.
As the founder of Naim said, music is about people
If you can't hear what the people on the record are doing, there isn't much point.
Oh OK its about the people, OK got that
One of the most memorable demonstrations I ever had, ever, was of a NDAC/XPS2 into 282/HC/250 and what was so interesting was not the additional level of detail over what I had at the time (Nait XS), which was barely audible to me, but the sheer articulation of the bass guitar player, and the kick drum.
It was most incredible to hear. and bass articulation must be heard to be understood what level of enjoyment of brings to the table.
Oh now hang on a damn minute, is it the bass or the people. Oh its about the bass and the people. Few thats OK then cause thats where Hugo excels
How about a NAP500? Plenty of PRaT and bass definition with the Hugo. You should try that combo.
Most people with the Hugo are using Naim amps. 
Who are you to be critical of Foxman's choice of amps? Now you're just being plain rude and disrespectful.
How about a NAP500? Plenty of PRaT and bass definition with the Hugo. You should try that combo.
Most people with the Hugo are using Naim amps. Who are you to be critical of Foxman's choice of amps? Now you're just being plain rude and disrespectful.
That's not what you were saying.
That's not what you were saying.
What Analog contradicting himself. I've never noticed that before.
Well Keith get yourself down your local dealer and get a Hugo injection.