Chord Mojo to Chord 2Qute/Hugo/Hugo2?

I have a Hugo and like it very much but I would not buy a 'not user replaceable batteries' dac again, never mind what Chord says about the upcoming Hugo 2. 

Well, your opinion lines up with my concerns. Especially having in mind I don't live in the U.K., and possible future repairs would be a pain for me. All batteries die eventually, sooner or later. 

So possibly wait for the new 2qute? Assuming Hugo 2 will eventually also move into the Chordette...

I see Chord have worked out the likely battery lifetime of the Hugo2.

" Non-user-serviceable batteries are covered by a limited 18-month warranty from initial date of purchase."

yeti42 posted:

I see Chord have worked out the likely battery lifetime of the Hugo2.

" Non-user-serviceable batteries are covered by a limited 18-month warranty from initial date of purchase."

 

 

Well, that sums it up.

Timo posted:

So possibly wait for the new 2qute? Assuming Hugo 2 will eventually also move into the Chordette...

 

 

I am afraid my Mojo battery will die before the new 2Qute is released

Another alternative is a used Chord QBD76. It is a full-sized DAC with all proper connections including USB Type B and can take a proper power cord.

QBD76 is not made anymore.

Than we skip to Dave! Can these chords powered by usb / current when the battery dies?

I've just put a 2qute on my Core, its nearly new so judgement is tentative but so for its a bit joyless though it gives the impression of rolling along quite nicely and clarity is good. I've got it for around a week.

To Yeti

The 2Qute needs a week to burn in before you can hear it properly. Leave it on 24/7 and give yourself time at the end of the week to appraise it then.

I'm sure most setups are different, but I leave my Mojo plugged in 24/7 and use in line level mode.  Is that a no-no for the battery?

Ok, some great news regarding the Hugo2 battery concerns.

Originally Posted by Rob Watts:

The simple answer to that is - a very long time. Hugo 2 will actually work with the battery disconnected. Also I have put in a desktop mode (charger connected for > 24 hours), so the battery voltage is reduced to 8.0 to 8.2 V for longest possible battery life. And in this mode, the battery is not using up the charge/discharge cycles - so it should last practically indefinitely.

Originally Posted by Rob Watts:

Yes it will function without the batteries and just a 2A USB charger connected. It's not something I have listened to as it is not a mode anybody should ever experience, nor is it recommended.

oh well ho hum

I think we spend a lot of time worrying about upgrading, rather than getting even basic interconnects right and the minimum speaker cables that are really working well with Supernait.

I would forget about any upgrades, Amused, other than NACA5 or SL, and a real Naim 3.5mm to Din cable.

Then buy a Naim Powerline power cable for the SN1

Then sit back, and enjoy the music.

The Mojo is very capable to be the last DAC you will ever need - but you do need a good, (preferable Naim made)  interconnect to hear that.

An update on the 2qute. It's perked up a bit after feeding it in a loop since tuesday. Wishbone ash don't sound lethargic as they did on the   Rega DAC but there's still a sterile efficiency about the replay, Tool have no menace but sound tight and more detail is picked up than through the DVD5 but this does convey the menace. The Chord is like a BMW, highly competent but never really gets a hook in you. (I've ridden a Guzzi for 20 years, I had a R100RS before that). Still not a week old yet though....

Is the 2Qute your first Chord DAC? You may want to try  a linear power supply, there are many positive reports on the web (even though the designer says there is no benefit).

Any word on the Hugo2 release date anyone?

Amused posted:

Is the 2Qute your first Chord DAC? You may want to try  a linear power supply, there are many positive reports on the web (even though the designer says there is no benefit).

Any word on the Hugo2 release date anyone?

I had a quick listen to the Hugo2 at the Headroom show yesterday , it sounds and looks great ! Very interesting changing the filters from Dave to Mojo . I was told that production will be ramped up in the next couple of weeks so not long to wait . 

It's a loaner, will be trying the Hugo 2 too but if this character persists I'll keep searching. NDS?

Richard Dane posted:

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..

While the kit takes it, the volume control is barely off the end stop and I always worried that I was not in the optimum operating range of the ampliffier. 

Hugo 2 or keep the Mojo and save your money

Has anyone with a 2Qute ever tested one of the Rothwell Audio  attenuators with their Naim gear?

Amused posted:

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

Been there, done that. It wasn't pleasant with my XS2. 

The Hugo was a revelation. Probably the only revelation I have had so far! 

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Amused posted:

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

Been there, done that. It wasn't pleasant with my XS2. 

The Hugo was a revelation. Probably the only revelation I have had so far! 

 

It's all in the turquoise volume setting with the Hugo.

You get clear, crisp, open sound but without a little tizzy edge that you get with the Qute. It's much more pleasant to listen to. And dare I say it; more analogue.

I can only imagine the Hugo2 must be even more resolving and natural. Because Hugo is already really clear and open.