Chord Hugo

Jo,  

Using cross-fade is a matter of taste.  It tries to solve the problem some recordings have where left and right channels are recorded in such a discrete way that it sounds unnatural through headphones.

I usually leave it off, unless the differences between left and right give me a headache.

Nick

Hi Joe;

I have adopted a S/H Hugo a few weeks ago just like you, to see and hear what it is really capable of. A key is to use greater cables such as Naim BNC-to-RCA DC1 and RCA-to-DIN Hi-Line. Avoid the mini USB LD or HD inputs. I usually set the volume on high indigo more for leveling with my NDS analog output to 252 than for anything else.

While I am always very impressed by the little black jewel for its naturel, timbres, transparency and medium enlightning as it now sits next to larger dark boxes, I still prefer the greater resolution, cohesion and mattity of my beloved NDS/555DR. Enjoy it as much as I do!  

Chag -

Set digital output to native.  This will allow the file resolution to be passed to the Hugo unaltered.

Big Jo posted:

• On the NDX should the digital output be set to Native or 96kHz 24bit?

Native

 

• Should I use the crossfade setting on the Hugo or turn it off?

Turn it off

 

• What volume should I use (have seen mention of turquoise as it matches the Naps, god knows if I have chosen turquoise, I looks kind of blue green), is that right?

Yes green/blue - but ultimately set to suit taste

 

• Are there any other settings I need to know about?

You may find switching off the DAC stage on the NDX provides a small boost to transport quality (Analogue out to None). Use the best quality SPDIF cable you can find and don't use connector converters. if using a Naim NAC ensure at least one and only one of the inputs is earth grounded. The Hugo will be floating and so not provide this function.

 

• As there is not stop button on the Naim iOS app, and only a pause button, the Hugo stays on, and that I am assuming will run the battery down prematurely, am I using the Naim app correctly (despite having had my NDX for some 4 or 5 years now)?

Best switch off Hugo when not using (manual switch). Although the charge switches off when the internal reservoir battery is fully charged - it sometimes comes back on when the Hugo remains on for extended periods  and may shorten the battery life of the Hugo.

 

• Does anyone use a power supply for the Hugo, have been advised Mains Cables R Us offer a 2 box solution for £235 that brings real improvements, was wondering if anyone had used one?

No - I can hear no difference between when the Chord Electronics prescribed PSU is connected or not and my hearing tends to verge into the OCD scale. Best only use the Chord PSU if you want to retain your warranty. The Achilles  heal of the Hugo (of earlier models)  was its internal power supply charger/regulator reliability and so best keep the warranty going I suggest

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

 if using a Naim NAC ensure at least one and only one of the inputs is earth grounded. The Hugo will be floating and so not provide this function.

So presumably, if using a Hugo between, say, an NDX and a Naim NAC with no other source attached, you would have no ground, and this would not be ideal?

Thanks for the replies, appreciate that, so if the NDX is my only source, which it is, how do I achieve a grounded earth?

ChrisSU posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

 if using a Naim NAC ensure at least one and only one of the inputs is earth grounded. The Hugo will be floating and so not provide this function.

So presumably, if using a Hugo between, say, an NDX and a Naim NAC with no other source attached, you would have no ground, and this would not be ideal?

Correct - in such circumstances you can (and I have done this before) connect the audio out (which you have disabled) from the NDX to a 'dummy' input on the NAC - and you set the NDX to ground chassis and you then have  provided a suitable  ground link for the NAC.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

 if using a Naim NAC ensure at least one and only one of the inputs is earth grounded. The Hugo will be floating and so not provide this function.

So presumably, if using a Hugo between, say, an NDX and a Naim NAC with no other source attached, you would have no ground, and this would not be ideal?

Correct - in such circumstances you can (and I have done this before) connect the audio out (which you have disabled) from the NDX to a 'dummy' input on the NAC - and you set the NDX to ground chassis and you then have  provided a suitable  ground link for the NAC.

Thanks Simon, presumably one could use any old cheapo DIN - DIN cable for this, as it doesn't carry the audio signal? 

The NDX comes with a lavender cable which should be free?

trickydickie posted:

The NDX comes with a lavender cable which should be free?

Ah! Well spotted, that would obviously become spare with a Hugo attached.

Thanks everyone for the info, it's much appreciated.