Where has the NDX into Hugo thread gone?

The 'turquoise' volume setting sounds best in my system. It's a little lower than the output volume of the phono stage on the 552 but isn't a hassle.

Hi Steve, yes I used to run at Turquoise, I wonder how much of my experienced difference is  also down to the interconnect change from the Hiline.

i don't want to faff around, it just sounds so superb listening to my music right now I have no incentive to change it.. 

I use the Hiline too. Maybe there is an optimal volume setting related to the preamp used.

Connecting the Hugo via RCA to a Supernait 2, is it advisable to use the "Volume Bypass" function of the Hugo? 

Following this & the other chord DAC thread. Not looking to start another chord DAC thread . I am open to the idea of at least trying a chord DAC in my system. Looking at the chord QBD76HDSD.

Is the correct set up - HDX 2TB via the 75ohm BNC to the chord QBD76HDSD, then I suppose a hi-line RCA to DIN to my 252 ? I have looked & not much talk of HDX to chord DAC & the results achieved.

Tony has the chord QBD76HDSD & appears to love it. I was looking at getting my 555PS upgraded to DR status, perhaps a change to a chord DAC might yield better results. If I sell my ndac & 555PS I think a straight swap (sell my naim private ) cost wise to a new chord QBD76HDSD is quite possible. 

Thoughts ?

The replacement for the QBD76 is not that far away. Personally, i would wait until that is released before splashing the cash.

In any event, the Hugo should sound better than the much more expensive QBD76, Rob Watts thinks so himself

Ah, right then I'll wait. Yeah, the hugo did tempt me, just the hugo connector plug issues & really small size has left me thinking a bigger size Chord DAC case would suite me better.

Still, the match of Chord DAC's with naim stuff is still quite strong by the count of those who have changed from NDAC / 555PS / NDS  etc.

According to the Chord chap I spoke to at the recent "Signals" show, the new QBD76 is unlikely to appear before the end of the year. I've not done a comparison with the Hugo but my trusty dealer reckons the QBD just has the edge. Although they use the same technology in terms of FPGA, the Hugo has a more sophisticated version whereas the QBD uses perhaps a better power supply arrangement and incorporates a variable buffer.

If I was in your shoes I'd get a Hugo to tide you over until the new QBD appears, you should have no trouble selling on the former.

Life's too short to hang about waiting...

Cheers Tony, food for thought. 

A demo of either Chord DAC should be achievable too. Then I'll test the waters regarding what I'll get for my ndac & 555PS in my local area, that's  if any of the Chord DAC's appeal to me over what I have now.

Graeme, when you have the Hugo in the volume bypass mode, are you still able to adjust the volume on the Hugo?

On my unit, I can still adjustment volume even in bypass mode, which I thought was a bit strange 

Yes the level adjust works with the line out preset mode and default mode. There is no mode that bypasses the digital level adjust.

Simon

thanks Simon

What Simon say's.

G

Is 'bypass' the highest volume setting? I thought I had mine set to that but just noticed I could turn the volume higher from there on the Hugo.

Have now reduced the Hugo output to 'blue' which gives a 9 o'clock average listening level on the SN2 and a bit more range to deal with various RIPs (early first press CD's are quiet and modern pressings overly loud).

G

I have managed to convert and play DSD64 using Sonore dsd2flac but have had no success with DSD128. It looks as though it has been successful but the flac file is not recognised by my ND5XS. Anyone had more joy?

IIUC dsd128 as DoP is encoded into 352.8 kHz PCM container.

does nd5xs support that format or your DAC for that matter?

Thanks Aleg, that must be the problem - nd5xs only supports up to 192kHz. I can play the original DSD file from my MacBook Pro into Hugo but it would be more convenient through the nd5xs. Perhaps I will settle for 24bit/192kHz for the time being.

A quick update, I have definitely decided to replace my Naim Hiline with Morrow Audio MA6  Eichmann Bullet copper RCA plug interconnects between the Hugo and 282. With my new ATC SCM19 speakers fed by my 250.2 the natural feel is more convincing.. And quite frankly I find the sound of just about any type of recording even more addictive .. 

If I were to put a Hugo between my ND5 XS and 282, is it worth keeping my XP5 XS?

Maybe keep it and see - although flogging the XP5 XS might help fund the Hugo (retrospectively...)?

I was thinking the same thing .... but maybe to help fund a 282!

I have an almost redundent Macbook Pro I could use with Audirvana.

The ND5 is more convenient though

Simon

does this cable have a DIN on the Naim side?

If not what do you use as adapter?

cheers

In my experience no.

My NDX does not miss the 555PS it was once coupled with.

G

Interesting - thanks, Graeme.

I have seen various comments here to the effect that NDX into Hugo sounds better than ND5 XS into Hugo, so I suspect that the forum would advise me to consider saving up for an NDX. Anyone?

Sorry Nick, I miss-read your post but I did audition an XP5 XS at the same time as the Hugo and really couldn't hear any difference with or without it.