Chord Mojo to Chord 2Qute/Hugo/Hugo2?

Depends how much you're happy to spend but if money isn't an issue I would be more inclined to wait for a listen to Hugo 2. From what I gather, Hugo 1 sounds similar to Mojo. It would also definitely be worth considering DAC's from other manufacturers as well in this price bracket. 

Hugo 1 is similar only in the sense that it shares an overall sonic signature with the Mojo. I use either as a headphone amplifier on long journeys; I take the Mojo when I need to travel light. The Mojo, in my view, offers about 75% of the Hugo performance for 1/3 of the cost so is better value for money. But the Hugo wins.

I am more inclined towards the 2Qute as it's a true standalone solution, but have concerns regarding the 3V output.

had the hugo for 3 yrs  ,always concerned how long the battery would last, then it failed. with other problems too.   repaired then sold. my choice would be the qute 

Just received a reply from the Naim customer support, they say the 2Qute certainly won't damage the SN1. I was concerned with reports of the fixed 3V output not being compatible with the highly sensitive input of the  SN. 

Not overly fond of battery powered DAC's, that's one of the biggest complain I have in regards to the Mojo. But some people here say that Hugo sounds better than the 2Qute, particularly because it's possible to adjust the volume unlike the 2Qute.

Even the Naim shoebox pre-amps were reportedly capable of taking up to 7V through their inputs before overload, so 3V is no problem at all.  Only problem might be that you'll have very little useable range on the volume control before it gets very loud..

If the Supernait pre is anything like a 282, I can't imagine what a PITA it would be having a 3V source playing into it. It's bad enough with an NDX, so I would only consider a variable input source such as the Hugo.

Given the number of changes you are making to your system, I would be inclined to do nothing for a while. I don't see how you would be able to assess the changes any item brings to your system when you're barely used to the last upgrade, which is probably still burning in while your trying out the next addition.

Here's a thought. Get a used nDac. 

ChrisSU posted:

Given the number of changes you are making to your system, I would be inclined to do nothing for a while. I don't see how you would be able to assess the changes any item brings to your system when you're barely used to the last upgrade, which is probably still burning in while your trying out the next addition.

+1 

Slowing down sounds smart to me as well.

Well, the main changes (upgrades) are the HiCap and the speaker cable. But anyway, I definitely intend to upgrade the DAC.

Not heard them myself, but from reading a lot of user discussion, quite a lot of people seem to find the 2qute brighter than the Hugo, and the Mojo warmer than the Hugo. So the best move likely depends somewhat on the bright/warm balance of the kit as it is.

I'm sure that's part of the reasoning behind allowing the user to select Mojo (i.e. warmer) filters in the Hugo 2.

Personally if contemplating this kind of thing, I'd do nothing until I could have a good listen to the Hugo 2.

Well, the Hugo/Hugo2 option would include selling my Mojo as I would replace one portable device for another (I also use headphones on the go).

But buying the 2Qute would include keeping the Mojo for headphone purposes only.

I will most likely wait for the Hugo 2 reviews, but I'm not sure it's worth almost double the price of the 2Qute. Plus there are the battery issues in the long run.

Hi Amused

I have a pre-loved SN2 paired with a 2Qute and they work beautifully with a pair of  PMC GB1i speakers. I have fairly basic cables/interconnect and no HiCap but can fully recommend the 2Qute. I don't know the Dyns you have but I have no harshness/brightness from my set up. The 2Qute sounds beautifully balanced, detailed and musical.  It is NOT bright in this set up.

I do agree I would wait until you have installed your new additions first, so you get used to how they sound and only then change the DAC.

I was limited by budget, if you are not, it makes sense to wait until you can audition a Hugo2.

I can confirm that the Hugo plays rather wonderfully with an SN2, and from experience I would want to be able to control the dac volume into the amp as it does make a difference.  Personally I would wait for the Hugo 2 and test one before I made a decision though

Amused posted:

I will most likely wait for the Hugo 2 reviews, but I'm not sure it's worth almost double the price of the 2Qute.

So what is the point of starting this thread at this point in time??? 

Amused posted:

.........................I will most likely wait for the Hugo 2 reviews, but I'm not sure it's worth almost double the price of the 2Qute. Plus there are the battery issues in the long run.

It would appear that Rob Watts has taken on board the battery issues from Hugo 1 and users penchants for keeping the Hugo permanently plugged in for use in a main system in his design of the Hugo 2.  Detail on page 131 of the Head-Fi Hugo 2 thread .

In brief,  he has put in a desktop mode for when the charger is connected for more than 24 hours, which reduces the battery voltage for longer life. He claims that in this mode, the battery doesn't use up the charge/discharge cycles - so it should last practically indefinitely. 

Time will tell.

SamS posted:

Amused posted:

.........................I will most likely wait for the Hugo 2 reviews, but I'm not sure it's worth almost double the price of the 2Qute. Plus there are the battery issues in the long run.

It would appear that Rob Watts has taken on board the battery issues from Hugo 1 and users penchants for keeping the Hugo permanently plugged in for use in a main system in his design of the Hugo 2.  Detail on page 131 of the Head-Fi Hugo 2 thread .

In brief,  he has put in a desktop mode for when the charger is connected for more than 24 hours, which reduces the battery voltage for longer life. He claims that in this mode, the battery doesn't use up the charge/discharge cycles - so it should last practically indefinitely. 

Time will tell.

Didn't know they addressed the issue. That puts a different perspective on the Hugo2 as a more desktop-friendly solution.

Timo posted:

Amused posted:

I will most likely wait for the Hugo 2 reviews, but I'm not sure it's worth almost double the price of the 2Qute.

So what is the point of starting this thread at this point in time??? 

Because the Hugo2 is almost out, and some people had the chance to hear it at different exhibitions. Many people on different forums say it's the closest thing to a portable Dave. No proper reviews yet though.

maybe you should change your name to confused 

you Just got the Supernait (and Mojo is a very good source), and already thinking of upgrading?

If you read enough about the Mojo on head-fi forums, you would have understood that it is a very fine source, and there is no real need to upgrade from it. 

You should try to earth the supernait (from the earth terminal), please contact naim how to do this.

[@mention:69004037368204356], yes, I intend to upgrade from the Mojo for several reasons, the most notable one is that it's not a real standalone DAC, if the battery is fully charged and I leave it on the charger then it starts to buzz pretty loud. Every time it's on I have to check whether the battery is charged, they I remove the charger until the battery drains, then plug it again, etc. It requires special cabling and/or adapters due to its unconventional inputs (like the 3.5mm coax) and outputs (both outputs are 3.5mm ones), which might as well degrade the sound quality. So it's not a very user friendly DAC in a hifi environment, although it's brilliant for headphones on the go. I bought the Mojo for my headphones, but found myself using it more as a standalone DAC (it's a brilliant device), but I would prefer a device that runs all the time without the need to plug and unplug the charger all the time and worry about the battery life.

That's why I'm inclined to get a proper desktop DAC for my HiFi and use the Mojo for headphones only (which is what it was designed for in the first place). The 2Qute appears to be a fine solution, but then again if the constant charging and battery issues are resolved with the Hugo 2, then it is certainly on the list. 

hmmm - my advice is don't bother for anything less than Hugo 2. Mojo, Hugo1, and 2qute are all the same thing, with slightly different flavours.

If you leave the Mojo battery fully charged, I don't hear any buzzing while it is on (and being charged at the same time), and I have used it all day long as a desktop DAC.

It is very capable of being used as a desktop DAC, and has the advantage of preserving the single earth connection from the 3.5mm jack to the Din connector. 

Anyway it is your money, so you are free to spend it as you wish.

analogmusic posted:

Hugo1 and 2qute are all the same thing, with slightly different flavours.

 

Considering that 2qute is essentially a Hugo 1 in Chordette design (Chord website), should we soon expect a new 2qute? Any rumours???

analogmusic posted:

hmmm - my advice is don't bother for anything less than Hugo 2. Mojo, Hugo1, and 2qute are all the same thing, with slightly different flavours.

If you leave the Mojo battery fully charged, I don't hear any buzzing while it is on (and being charged at the same time), and I have used it all day long as a desktop DAC.

It is very capable of being used as a desktop DAC, and has the advantage of preserving the single earth connection from the 3.5mm jack to the Din connector. 

Anyway it is your money, so you are free to spend it as you wish.

 

Which one are you using now? Did you have the chance to directly compare the Mojo to the 2Qute?

Regarding the earthing issue, why do you think I should earth the Supernait? I hear no buzz or hiss from my speakers, but there is a hum which disappeares when I mute the SN. I understand this is normal.

The only buzz I get is from the Mojo when it's fully charged, and it's pretty audible. 

i am suffering from same thing mojo is not extremely practical using with stereo setup far away from a computer, so waiting for Hugo2......  Whatever you decide dont decide before listening Hugo2, you need to wait for a week.

I just hope the Hugo2 won't suffer from battery problems. The lack of battery is what draws me towards the 2Qute (and it's well priced too), as the Hugo and Mojo are essentially portable headphone amps/DACs.