52 > NDX > Hugo

Posted by: Mort2k on 22 February 2018

Afternoon All

I have bought a second hand Hugo to test with my NDX/XPSDR/HiLine. Initial testing shows that the Hugo is better than the NDX/XPSDR but no miles better. Remove the XPSDR and the Hugo/NDX smokes the NDX/XPSDR.  All this though is with:

A) Cheap £20 Coaxial cable (Phono>Phono) and the BNC>Phono converter  from the NDX>Hugo

B) Basic Chord (sub £100) Din>Phono interconnect from the 52>Hugo.

Obviously the HiLine will be outperforming the Chord cable so i can expect more from the NDX/Hugo combo when that is replaced. Will look at a few options here.

My question is does the Digital cable from the NDX>hugo make a difference ? and if so what is the best option to make this connection ? The Naim DC1 or something else?

 

Thanks

Rob

 

 

Posted on: 22 February 2018 by Vik71

Congrats on your Hugo purchase - it must sound quite good with the NDX (my next purchase). I am currently using a UQ through the Naim's own BNC DC1 - compared to a standard digital cable the DC1 is way more dynamic, transparent and fluid; I highly recommend it. Being quite happy with Chord Comapny interconnects over the years, I also use a Chord Shawlie RCA-DIN to connect my Hugo TT dac to SN2 - overall very pleasing presentation. The HiLine will probably be better but for the moment music is flowing nicely

Hope this helps. Vik

Posted on: 22 February 2018 by Mort2k

Thanks Vik - good to know 

 

Rob

Posted on: 23 February 2018 by Bob the Builder

That NDX /XPSDR will fetch you about £4,000 you will find a streaming solution to connect to your Hugo that will ‘smoke’ anything Naim has to offer for that money. Sell it and shop around Naim Audio make fantastic amplifiers but there are many better streaming solutions out there. 

Posted on: 23 February 2018 by Emre

what would be a the top 5 non-naim streaming / dac solutions to use with 282/252/552 amp?  something with roon i pad control... not a mac..?? micro rendu + hugo ?  value for money solutions... anyone? 

Posted on: 23 February 2018 by Mort2k

Bob

thanks, I’m coming to that same conclusion.  

Emre

im looking at Melco next 

rob

 

 

Posted on: 23 February 2018 by Sloop John B
Bob the Builder posted:

That NDX /XPSDR will fetch you about £4,000 you will find a streaming solution to connect to your Hugo that will ‘smoke’ anything Naim has to offer for that money. Sell it and shop around Naim Audio make fantastic amplifiers but there are many better streaming solutions out there. 

No point in throwing out the baby with the bath water. The NDX  provides an excellently engineered method of getting digital files to the Hugo. 

 

To answer the OP, when I had an nDac I used a Teddy Pardo WBT nextgen 75ohm digital cable, but does the Hugo have some space limitations at these ports. 

The Naim DC1 would be the obvious choice, whilst Mark Grant cables are generally well thought of for not silly money. 

 

.sjb

Posted on: 23 February 2018 by james n

Rob - whilst i use a Melco myself (albeit into a different DAC) the Melco USB output is very good. I'm not sure how the HUGO USB and S/PDIF implementations compare (I seem to recall the S/PDIF input being the best on the Hugo) so you may find the NDX is better here.

Since you already have the NDX, i'd ditch the XPS and get a decent BNC to RCA cable from Mark Grant to go between NDX and Hugo (or pick up a used DC1 of the right flavour). The NDX has a very good quality S/PDIF output so should get the best from the Hugo. 

James