Chord DSX 1000 / SPM 650?

Posted by: hungryhalibut on 07 January 2017

Given that the Chord Hugo seems to be universally loved, I'm wondering why nobody ever mentions many of their other products. The DSX 1000 streamer and SPM 650 power amplifier appear to be the equivalent of the 272/XPS/250 combination, yet I've never seen them mentioned here. There are a number of members using Devialet or Linn equipment, but few if any with Chord, other than their DACs. Are these products any good?

Posted on: 07 January 2017 by joe9407

great question -- i'm all ears!

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by AntonD

Yes, it's extremely good IMO.

I have owned the DSX for 2.5 years now and it's on playing music most of the time. I previously owned the ND5XS for 1 year

I am using it as a standalone streamer into my SN2. IMO it's at the same level as NDS in this configuration. I listened to both units at my dealers for many hours before making the decision. I preferred the Chord.

What I will say about the DSX is it's ability to replay red book material that still amazes me today. The clarity and full bodied sound just fills the room. I sometimes think "is this a hd copy"

Of course hd material sounds truly wonderful. It had DSD 64 capability way before the naim streamers.

Internet radio also sounds fantastic. I mainly listen to the classical 320 streams and again I am sometimes shocked at the clarity and fullness of sound been produced.

The iPad app is great. It shows all the custom tags and configuration from minimserver perfectly. The album artwork is displayed very clearly.

The unit is rock solid regarding playback. I cannot remember the last time it faultered.

I suppose the biggest complement I can give the DSX is this. I keep up to date with what's going on regarding digital replay and reading this forum sometimes makes me wonder if it's time to listen to some new products. I then sit down to play an album and all those thoughts disappear!

I can and do listen for many hours at a time. I have never experienced listening fatigue. It just replays my music library in a wonderful way.

Ok, time to play some music! :-)

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by hungryhalibut

When I was reading about it, I saw that it can be used as a source, or because it has a volume control, direct into a power amp. Have you ever tried it into the SPM 650?

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by dayjay

If I was going down the streaming route, which I'm not for at least some time, I'd certainly want to listen to what Chord have to offer. I've not heard any of their kit apart from the dacs but I saw a guy I respect on another forum earlier this week say that heard a Chord source, can't recall which, and a Chhord amp driving speakers and in forty years of hifi it was his highlight to date. Not sure I could live with the looks of a full Chord system though and I do love the Naim amp sound which I think the Hugo compliments

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by intothevoid

Itchy feet Nigel?

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by hungryhalibut

Not in the slightest, I'm absolutely delighted with what I have. I was simply idly wondering why, when so many people love the Chord dacs, very few seem to use, or even mention, their streamers and amplifiers. Having owned Naim since 1983 it's become part of my life. I'll confess that before Naim bought out the 272 I was thinking of investigating Linn, but then the 272 appeared and I didn't need to. The Chord streamer/amp two box setup is an elegant solution - elegant in concept anyway, if not in looks, which I find somewhat overdesigned. The reviews of the streamer certainly seem very complimentary and the price is more or less the same as the 272/XPS. For those with, say an NDX and a Hugo TT, the Chord streamer would seem ideal.

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by analogmusic

this kind of curiosity can be expensive Nigel.

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by Klout10

I just did a quick Google search ... gosh these are really ugly

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by Clive B

Klout10 posted:
I just did a quick Google search ... gosh these are really ugly

LOL! Prompted by your post I did likewise.

You're absolutely right. Fugly.

Posted on: 08 January 2017 by ChrisSU

Clive B posted:
Klout10 posted:
I just did a quick Google search ... gosh these are really ugly
LOL! Prompted by your post I did likewise.
You're absolutely right. Fugly.

If I bought one of those I'd hide it in the cupboard under the stairs and drill a hole on the wall for the speaker cables!

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by Klout10

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by Solid Air

Ah yes, more of Chord's 'design' work. Honestly, they should only bother printing the manuals in braille.

Posted on: 09 January 2017 by analogmusic

oh well, the hugo does sound exceedingly good.

Sometimes beauty is not to be found on the outside, the Hugo got soul when it plays music...

but I haven't even bothered to audition chord amps, as I quite love how my NAP 250 sounds and it looks very nice too.

Posted on: 13 January 2017 by Innocent Bystander

I actually like the look of Hugo, and the TT - but I'm not so sure about their amps: however I buy for sound, not appearance, and where my gear sits in the room most of the time it is not in direct sight...

But I have never heard, and know little about their ranges other than DACs - if there was a dealer within easy reach I'd probably be tempted to have a listen. (The same goes for Naim! Or, better still, combined.)