Where has the NDX into Hugo thread gone?
Posted by: Simon-in-Suffolk on 19 June 2014
Any ideas?
There were some heated debates, but no more so than other recent exchanges on the forum, and those threads are still there...
i can only think of negative defensive reasons which I don't associate with Naim at all.. I hope it wasn't to do with that..perhaps the thread can go back into padded cell? It was a fairly useful resource for those wanting to use their Naim equipment with a Hugo source..
Many thanks G
FWIW I temporarily used a QED digital interconnect with adaptors whilst waiting for the DC1 order.
The DC1 was noticeably better and I suspect it's the terminations rather than the cable itself which makes the difference.
G
As the demo Hugo I've been using goes back this weekend I thought I'd give some final thoughts on the comparison with my Cd555.
The best thing about the Hugo is the PRAT. Music has verve and energy so it's easy to connect and become involved. The Hugo is undoubtedly good value for money and I'd certainly recommend it for those wanting to add a DAC to their system.
The areas where I thought it was inferior to the CD player were:
Soundstaging. The Hugo presented a flat soundstage compared with the three dimensionality of the CD555, where instruments and vocals occupy their own space.
Frequency range. At the same volume,bass is deeper and better defined on the CD player and higher frequencies more open and airy.
The CD player is more nuanced, subtle voice inflections and changes in timbre are more apparent. It is easier to discern when a track builds as musicians sound tighter as they hit their stride.
So this is my perspective on this particular comparison. Of course it is all relative and with a different source or with different ancillary equipment the outcome could well be different.
Hi, I bought Hiline with RCA to DIN and bought DC1 BNC to RCA.
Simon
Thanks Simon
Here
As the demo Hugo I've been using goes back this weekend I thought I'd give some final thoughts on the comparison with my Cd555.
The best thing about the Hugo is the PRAT. Music has verve and energy so it's easy to connect and become involved. The Hugo is undoubtedly good value for money and I'd certainly recommend it for those wanting to add a DAC to their system.
The areas where I thought it was inferior to the CD player were:
Soundstaging. The Hugo presented a flat soundstage compared with the three dimensionality of the CD555, where instruments and vocals occupy their own space.
Frequency range. At the same volume,bass is deeper and better defined on the CD player and higher frequencies more open and airy.
The CD player is more nuanced, subtle voice inflections and changes in timbre are more apparent. It is easier to discern when a track builds as musicians sound tighter as they hit their stride.
So this is my perspective on this particular comparison. Of course it is all relative and with a different source or with different ancillary equipment the outcome could well be different.
Sure was Jonn. Did you use similar ICs and play rips of the same CDs you played on the 555? The optimisation of the Hugo volume output makes a big difference to the quality, as we showed during the comparison we made between the two. When we did it we tried to make things as equal as possible, and with my experience of adjusting the Hugo the other four in the group were unanimous in their opinion of which was better (my views weren't relevant). There were none of the soundstage issues you describe and the only time the 555 sounded better with the bass was when I adjusted the volume output of the Hugo to match the 555, which, as has been described by Simon and others, affects the SQ.
ATB
Steve
Above is Chord Hugo volume control colours. I have mine set to indigo. Not sure where turquoise fits in, perhaps azure? Maybe Simon will clarify.
Mine is set between cyan and spring green. I don't think there is a 'set' or correct colour but a little fine tuning and adjustment by listening is the order of the day.
Source : Head-Fi site.
I also bought a HiLine RCA-DIN and I'll be selling the HiLine DIN-DIN I used before Hugo arrived.
'Bypass' on mine is cyan I think...
G
As the demo Hugo I've been using goes back this weekend I thought I'd give some final thoughts on the comparison with my Cd555.
The best thing about the Hugo is the PRAT. Music has verve and energy so it's easy to connect and become involved. The Hugo is undoubtedly good value for money and I'd certainly recommend it for those wanting to add a DAC to their system.
The areas where I thought it was inferior to the CD player were:
Soundstaging. The Hugo presented a flat soundstage compared with the three dimensionality of the CD555, where instruments and vocals occupy their own space.
Frequency range. At the same volume,bass is deeper and better defined on the CD player and higher frequencies more open and airy.
The CD player is more nuanced, subtle voice inflections and changes in timbre are more apparent. It is easier to discern when a track builds as musicians sound tighter as they hit their stride.
So this is my perspective on this particular comparison. Of course it is all relative and with a different source or with different ancillary equipment the outcome could well be different.
Sure was Jonn. Did you use similar ICs and play rips of the same CDs you played on the 555? The optimisation of the Hugo volume output makes a big difference to the quality, as we showed during the comparison we made between the two. When we did it we tried to make things as equal as possible, and with my experience of adjusting the Hugo the other four in the group were unanimous in their opinion of which was better (my views weren't relevant). There were none of the soundstage issues you describe and the only time the 555 sounded better with the bass was when I adjusted the volume output of the Hugo to match the 555, which, as has been described by Simon and others, affects the SQ.
ATB
Steve
Interconnects were Naim Hiline with RCA to Din version for the Hugo and coax from HDX. I did try an optical cable as well but preferred the coax.
I used the same CDs for comparison, easy to select using my iPad for HDX and CD was in the CD555,so switching from one to the other was simple.
I adjusted the volume on the Hugo to achieve a similar output to the CD player, so cyan/azure (turquoise)in the above colour chart for the most part which seemed optimum with the volume at 9 o'clock on the 552.
I also listened to the Hugo at some length without comparing and experimented with different volume settings on the Hugo/552 and found the above combination remained optimum.
Given my listening experiences I was really surprised that the group you referred to found the Hugo to be better as the superiority of the CD 555 in my system was not subtle, for the reasons I stated in the previous post.
I had spoken to the host of your session previously and got the impression that the differences were not quite as clear cut. Also there were some aspects of the CD555 playback that he described which were different from my experience, so perhaps there are some system synergy differences.
All I can say that good as the Hugo is, in my system the CD555 was clearly superior.
I would say 9.
Regards. Erich
Hugo is about to be yesterday's hero for the fanboi set. ( hey, i tried one so i am not immune)
Chord have announced two new products will be released at next years CES, the first of several. You can bet that a proper home version of the Hugo will be one of them.
i haven't heard anything from Naim on the DAC front recently. I wonder if they feel they need to respond or if they feel that the FPGA (or what ever the acronym is) has its merits.
I will say that i was tempted by Hugo from an audio perspective, but physically and operationally the Hugo was not for me. Hearing distortion from the built in amp when i first setup was also a shock. To my mind it identified a weak link in the audio chain Before i heard anything. A home version with a suitable output stage and at the right price could well change all that.
Briz, I prefer my kit at home with v1/202/200/pmc20.23 or .. /headline/senn hd800 than with hugo.
May be I do not have the proper interconnects or proper source for the hugo in that kit. But I enjoy it in my office or night table sourced by a MB air. I will look for a more portable transport.
I know I have to improve the source in home kit to obtain more from it.
If chord develops a home version, it would be a must to try it after what i have experienced with the hugo.
Regards. Erich
As the demo Hugo I've been using goes back this weekend I thought I'd give some final thoughts on the comparison with my Cd555.
The best thing about the Hugo is the PRAT. Music has verve and energy so it's easy to connect and become involved. The Hugo is undoubtedly good value for money and I'd certainly recommend it for those wanting to add a DAC to their system.
The areas where I thought it was inferior to the CD player were:
Soundstaging. The Hugo presented a flat soundstage compared with the three dimensionality of the CD555, where instruments and vocals occupy their own space.
Frequency range. At the same volume,bass is deeper and better defined on the CD player and higher frequencies more open and airy.
The CD player is more nuanced, subtle voice inflections and changes in timbre are more apparent. It is easier to discern when a track builds as musicians sound tighter as they hit their stride.
So this is my perspective on this particular comparison. Of course it is all relative and with a different source or with different ancillary equipment the outcome could well be different.
Sure was Jonn. Did you use similar ICs and play rips of the same CDs you played on the 555? The optimisation of the Hugo volume output makes a big difference to the quality, as we showed during the comparison we made between the two. When we did it we tried to make things as equal as possible, and with my experience of adjusting the Hugo the other four in the group were unanimous in their opinion of which was better (my views weren't relevant). There were none of the soundstage issues you describe and the only time the 555 sounded better with the bass was when I adjusted the volume output of the Hugo to match the 555, which, as has been described by Simon and others, affects the SQ.
ATB
Steve
Interconnects were Naim Hiline with RCA to Din version for the Hugo and coax from HDX. I did try an optical cable as well but preferred the coax.
I used the same CDs for comparison, easy to select using my iPad for HDX and CD was in the CD555,so switching from one to the other was simple.
I adjusted the volume on the Hugo to achieve a similar output to the CD player, so cyan/azure (turquoise)in the above colour chart for the most part which seemed optimum with the volume at 9 o'clock on the 552.
I also listened to the Hugo at some length without comparing and experimented with different volume settings on the Hugo/552 and found the above combination remained optimum.
Given my listening experiences I was really surprised that the group you referred to found the Hugo to be better as the superiority of the CD 555 in my system was not subtle, for the reasons I stated in the previous post.
I had spoken to the host of your session previously and got the impression that the differences were not quite as clear cut. Also there were some aspects of the CD555 playback that he described which were different from my experience, so perhaps there are some system synergy differences.
All I can say that good as the Hugo is, in my system the CD555 was clearly superior.
As you can see from my above posts Jonn, it was when I adjusted the Hugo volume output to match that of the 555, which is is how you had yours set, that the 555 sounded better with the bass. Even then there was little to choose between them.
It could be system differences as you said, probably the speakers looking at your set up. Anyway the most important thing is that you enjoy whatever sounds best for your ears.
ATB
Steve
Above is Chord Hugo volume control colours. I have mine set to indigo. Not sure where turquoise fits in, perhaps azure? Maybe Simon will clarify.
Hi, I set mine to 'Spring Green' which looks turquoise to me on the Hugo. I hope that helps.
BTW to the post on the new Hugo version, according to its designer it is the Hugo design but with an amplifier built in so it can directly drive speakers to volume.
Simon
I play mine set at Orange, one step before turning Red
Chord have announced two new products will be released at next years CES, the first of several. You can bet that a proper home version of the Hugo will be one of them.
Yes, at last weekends Hi-Fi Show in Windsor a Chord rep mentioned they had 5 new DACs on the horizon. From a unit smaller than the Hugo to a replacement for the QBD76 and a selection in between. For sure there will be one that has a more powerful amplifier built in than the Hugo's, as this seems very much a pet project of Rob Watts'. Sorry I have no more detail than that. But they are certainly not standing still.
I am personally looking forward to the next level up Hugo replacement as I have study and kitchen systems that can't wait to get there hands on the hand-me-down. Not to mention it would be nice to use it more as an mobile device. A brief play with my Samsung phone with flac files using aptX bluetooth makes for a great wireless system, in winter coat pockets. Just need a headphone cable from the Hugo.
If the prices are right, it will be very interesting times ahead.
The cynical side of me can't help but think that given the fairly uniformly good reception given to the Hugo, the replacement for the QBD76 will be pitched to compete (from a cost perspective) with the likes of the NDS or Klimax DS/1.
If this is remotely near the mark, then I will simply continue to live happily with my ND5 XS/Hugo and Klimax Renew streaming devices.
'Better' would be good, both in respect of SQ and ergonomics (in the case of the Hugo), but what I have is fantastic, and certainly more than 'good enough' to last me a very long time.
With the rate at which digital replay R&D is moving any product is 'yesterday's hero' almost by the time it hits the retailers.
We have what we have, and very very good it is too. I'm not wishing my life away.
G
I finally jumped on the Hugo bandwagon this weekend with a nice new Black one (after just missing out on linntroika's used one on pinkish!).
This was after months of consideration of all the options and a few demo's of Hugo vs Naim Streamers (sadly only on a system very similar to mine and at a dealers demo room rather than home).
Having ignored advice for a home demo (couldn't find anyone willing) I plumped for the Hugo.
Irritatingly, now it's installed in my system I don't know if I prefer it to my CD5x…… very, very different….
Source : Head-Fi site.
Thanks for sharing this, I tried searching on the headfi forum a while ago but couldn't find it. Mine is set at Cyan at the moment altough I've used it on Azure too
I finally jumped on the Hugo bandwagon this weekend with a nice new Black one (after just missing out on linntroika's used one on pinkish!).
This was after months of consideration of all the options and a few demo's of Hugo vs Naim Streamers (sadly only on a system very similar to mine and at a dealers demo room rather than home).
Having ignored advice for a home demo (couldn't find anyone willing) I plumped for the Hugo.
Irritatingly, now it's installed in my system I don't know if I prefer it to my CD5x…… very, very different….
Give it a chance...
G
I finally jumped on the Hugo bandwagon this weekend with a nice new Black one (after just missing out on linntroika's used one on pinkish!).
This was after months of consideration of all the options and a few demo's of Hugo vs Naim Streamers (sadly only on a system very similar to mine and at a dealers demo room rather than home).
Having ignored advice for a home demo (couldn't find anyone willing) I plumped+ for the Hugo.
Irritatingly, now it's installed in my system I don't know if I prefer it to my CD5x…… very, very different….
Give it a chance...
G
+1, like any major change takes a while to get used. I bought mine without an audition and spent a week trying to hide from the wife that I was worried that I had made a mistake, and then it all clicked into place. I started all over again when I got my sn2 until I found the right volume setting. Its the best piece of hifi kit, pound for pound, I've ever owned and I hope it works out for you