Chord DACs

Try the search facility.   Loads of coverage of Chord DACs. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Yeah, pencil in 1 week or so reading time... 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Try the search facility.   Loads of coverage of Chord DACs. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Ooops, sorry Strat I should have thought of that myself 

I also have an American Fender Strat....

There's a great deal of discussion of Chord DACs on the forum, particularly the Hugo, but the discussion is pretty much all about using them with a streaming source such as the NDX, or a computer, rather than a Cd player.

ChrisSU posted:

There's a great deal of discussion of Chord DACs on the forum, particularly the Hugo, but the discussion is pretty much all about using them with a streaming source such as the NDX, or a computer, rather than a Cd player.

Not sure that the OP has indicated desire to use with a CD player? However, I would expect the benefit brought to other digital sources would likely be realised also for CD.

As suggested, much on this forum - possibly too much to wade through. Hugo in particular has been regarded as sounding better that Naim's DACs seemingly by the vast majority who have compared them, though of course it is a matter of what you, the indicidual, desire of a supystem. COmmon comments are thatbit sounds more 'natural', 'organic' or 'analog'. 

Mojo perhaps surprisingly given its low cost seems to get nearly as good reviews, though fewer in number. HUgo 2 is said to be better than original, not only because it includes a remote (Mojo and Hugo 1 don't). These all are at risk of sound quality degradation from RF modulation of the rendered digital music stream they are fed, so with the majokrity of computer-type sources need RF isolation to achieve their best. (RF can affect a wide range of DACs, but the susceptibility of these ones in particular is because their USB inputs were designed to be frd from mobile devices like phones, with limited current capability sso an isolator wasn't built in.) However, unlikely to be a significant problem from a specialist digital soucprce such as a Naim streamer or, I guess, a decent CD player.

The hierarchy continues, Hugo TT better than Hugo (and Hugo 2), though in my own comparison (with Hugo 1) it was only a small difference sonically, though it added better connectivity, removed reliance on a battery, and added a remote control. However when I auditioned TT against my Hugo I also auditioned Dave, and the wow factor was literal - my son sitting next to me uttered the word under his breath within just a few bars of the first piece. Once heard I just had to get it, so I did (though I did an extended home audition over a couple of weeks comparing Hugo, TT and Dave trying to convince myself TT was good enough).

Nina posted:

I am interested in trying some sort of Chord Dac

Does anyone have any experience of them ?

Thanks for any help

Yes, Analog Music, is the Chord Specialist!

He must be in meeting, with Chord's Top CEO'S$$$$!!!!÷÷

Allante93!

Avoid the 2qute, too sterile. I haven’t tried the others though.

like all Naim sources, Chord sources need a good interconnect to give their best. The best ones are ones by Naim, but Chord (Tuned Aray) or Vertere also very good. (I really like Vertere cables)

Not sure what to add to the extensive posting on Hugo. Not sure the forum can tolerate more Hugo talk 

They are all very good DAC's, can't go wrong with Mojo, Hugo 2 or Dave.  All them give musical goosebumps.

After reading loads about the Hugo and pretty much all I read was very positive I just have to try one.  From what I can make out the Hugo is a 'special' item and somewhat of a game changer

I am not interested in it's headphone section or it being portable etc, I am only interested in using it as a Dac for one of my CD transports in my main system

I think I have secured a Hugo and all being well should be with me in the next week

If I don't like it then I can sell it for what I paid for it   

yeti42 posted:

Avoid the 2qute, too sterile. I haven’t tried the others though.

Pair it with the right interconnects and usb cables and it's absolutely superb.
It does not differ from Hugo, but with 3V output and no volume control it can sound a little hot depending on the amplifier you're using.

M37 posted:

yeti42 posted:

Avoid the 2qute, too sterile. I haven’t tried the others though.

Pair it with the right interconnects and usb cables and it's absolutely superb.
It does not differ from Hugo, but with 3V output and no volume control it can sound a little hot depending on the amplifier you're using.

IIRC most people on here who have compared Hugo with 2Qute say Hugo sounds better, which is probably due to its different output stage, though if an electrically noisy source is used e.g. a computer with no isolator in between, then 2Qute might sound better because it has galvanic isolation.

I have a 2Qute and have used it connected to my Sony Blu Ray player to play CD's when my TT was out of action and it sounded really excellent.

Can the Hugo be powered 24/7?

I just received something from Chord that seems to suggest it shouldn't be left on all the time, so should I charge the batteries and then unplug it from the mains and use it on the batteries ?

Thanks for any help, much appreciated

Nina posted:

Can the Hugo be powered 24/7?

I just received something from Chord that seems to suggest it shouldn't be left on all the time, so should I charge the batteries and then unplug it from the mains and use it on the batteries ?

Thanks for any help, much appreciated

Hugo 1 the answer was yes, but advice was to periodically unplug and allow battery to run down (I did weekly). Hugo 2 I don't know - if you haven't already check the Chord website, or Haed Fi official Hugo 2 forum where the Hugo's designer is a regular contributor. (I think naming here is OK where links to another forum would not be, but apologies to the moderator if I'm wrong.)

Hugo 2 has a desk mode for powering 24/7 -- Chord claims this allows for a super-long battery life. But of course the proof of the pudding is in the eating...

Just ordered my Hugo 

When I get it I will charge the battery then use it on battery alone before plugging it back into the mains to re-charge

I have read through lots of feedback of the Hugo on this forum and other sites and it would seem that the Hugo is a fantastic bit of kit, especially for the money

I've read that some people prefer the Hugo to the full Naim Dac as well as the DAC-V1 which, if true, is some achievement considering the price and it's diminutive size

I have also just ordered a very reasonable BNC to RCA interconnect to go between the CD5 XS and the Hugo that should be with me in a couple of days

Innocent Bystander posted:

Nina posted:

Can the Hugo be powered 24/7?

I just received something from Chord that seems to suggest it shouldn't be left on all the time, so should I charge the batteries and then unplug it from the mains and use it on the batteries ?

Thanks for any help, much appreciated

Hugo 1 the answer was yes, but advice was to periodically unplug and allow battery to run down (I did weekly). Hugo 2 I don't know - if you haven't already check the Chord website, or Haed Fi official Hugo 2 forum where the Hugo's designer is a regular contributor. (I think naming here is OK where links to another forum would not be, but apologies to the moderator if I'm wrong.)

Indeed, the advice has changed... what I have noticed is the white charger LED in the Hugo sometimes lights after a few days of the Hugo switched off but plugged in... and I think this can lead to the battery overcharging and shortening its life.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Indeed, the advice has changed... what I have noticed is the white charger LED in the Hugo sometimes lights after a few days of the Hugo switched off but plugged in... and I think this can lead to the battery overcharging and shortening its life.

Thanks Simon for the advise

Do you still own the Hugo ?

analogmusic posted:

like all Naim sources, Chord sources need a good interconnect to give their best. The best ones are ones by Naim, but Chord (Tuned Aray) or Vertere also very good. (I really like Vertere cables)

Not sure what to add to the extensive posting on Hugo. Not sure the forum can tolerate more Hugo talk 

They are all very good DAC's, can't go wrong with Mojo, Hugo 2 or Dave.  All them give musical goosebumps.

no problem to talk about hugo here, because it is the good topic here.  just wanted to say....but perhaps other will think differently....

Recently launched hugo2 is a Good Alternative in a Word of million dacs 

Dave is better  but with a Price tag

TT can be renewed any time now

and a good headphoneamp can always come handy  

My Hugo should be with me on Thursday...can't wait to test it to see what all the fuss is about  

Nina posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Indeed, the advice has changed... what I have noticed is the white charger LED in the Hugo sometimes lights after a few days of the Hugo switched off but plugged in... and I think this can lead to the battery overcharging and shortening its life.

Thanks Simon for the advise

Do you still own the Hugo ?

I do, and I love it still. It really is a remarkable piece of kit... I even give it its own Fraim shelf.

Nina posted:

My Hugo should be with me on Thursday...can't wait to test it to see what all the fuss is about  

When you do the comparison, make sure to turn off the CD player before you flick the switch for S/PDIF and connect the Hugo. Please stay with the already warm NAIT XS2 so that the only difference you are hearing is between the CD5 XS's internal dac and the Hugo.

Also remove the lavender wire from the CD5 XS to the Nait.

I'm interested to hear what you find.

Thanks Christopher for the info

I am really careful when I plug something new into the system to the extent that I also switch off at the wall as well, and even then I let the whole lot cool for 10 minutes before touching anything

Thanks. I think a minute would be fine. Your 845 years are behind you.