Where has the NDX into Hugo thread gone? (PostScript)

Absolutely agree on different output levels having an effect on the sound. I spent ages playing around with mine until I found the sound I preferred.  I didn't find it subtle at all

My dealer loaned me an Audioquest RCA - RCA lead of some description, no idea of its quality. I have both Hi-Line and Sarum TA in my system (NAT01 and 555 respectively), and would prefer to go with a TA connector of some description, but money is tighter at the moment (I'm a kept man) so some compromise will have to be arrived at!

I initially used the Hugo, through ignorance, using the volume control inline but conducted the most recent tests with it set offline, with definite benefits to my ears even though I had to adjust the 552 volume to match CD and bare NDX levels, which were both slightly lower.

Pleased you like it Gary but I hope you used the same calibre IC with the Hugo as you did with the 555. I use a Hiline and it sounds very good. I note you use one on the 555, if you didn't use a Hiline on the Hugo you may be in for a surprise.

On Saturday I'm taking my MacMini system and Hugo down to a fellow forum member to compare with his 555 with 2x555Ps. He uses a Hiline so it will be a fair comparison. It will be interesting to hear what a Hugo sounds like in his system. Shame he uses SL2s though. 

That'll be an interesting day Steve! He'll be impressed.

I was writing as you posted Gary. It's hardly a fair comparison if you used a Sarum TA on the 555 and a cheap Audioquest on the Hugo. Borrow an STA and listen to that on the Hugo before you say the 555 is better. If the Hugo is better you could buy the STA for the Hugo and have money to spare by selling the 555. 

Get thee behind me Steve!

It's true the test was skewed against the Hugo in that regard, but I've been Naim since the late 70s (if you can forgive a brief fling in the 80s with a cute Meridian 101/105) and rebellion comes hard. 

I'd go Sarum throughout if I could.

Hi Gary,

As you mentioned Bandcamp, I can't remember if I sent you the link for Thumpermonkey after the TNP gig? I assume you have ordered EXPANDED (Live at the Barbican).

I think you might like the way Sleep Furiously shifts air @ Level-5 and make you smile...

http://thumpermonkey.bandcamp....lbum/sleep-furiously 

Sorry to hijack the thread

Denis! Yes you did, and I liked them, but it's all got caught up in redundancy retrenchment (don't ask why I'm spending money on a Hugo).

i haven't ordred the TNP Eanded yet as I'm desperately hoping they'll relese a DVD or Blu-Ray. They got the footage, so don't see why not. That's definitely in my top 10 concerts ever!

Gary,

Glad you liked Thumpermonkey, they are my favourite small venue band. "I love the smell of my rib cage vibrating" when the band are in face melting mode

I've ordered the TNP vinyl and also expect a blu-ray release. I agree about the top 10 ever gig's.

Good luck with work. I'm looking again next month after I move home in 2 weeks time.

ATB

Denis

Always a downside Steve!  SL2's   Have a fun time

But you must get my point Gary. Even with the Audioquest it came very close to the 555 with an STA. What would it have been like using the cables the other way around? 

La la la I can't hear you!

Well I suppose I can, and it's crossed my mind. However, I do love my 555, I still cleave to physical formats when I can, and there's the little matter of being unable to face the prospect of ripping something like 6,000 CDs. 

However, never say never....

Motivated by Simon threads on the Hugo, weeks ago I tried one with my headphones and decided to order one.

Yesterday I received an e-mail from the dealer saying he already had it.

Went as first thing in the morning for it and enjoyed it all day at the office.

Unfortunately at home it went out of juice and the stupid left all accessories in the office.

Thanks Simon for your writing about Hugo, it was a great acquisition and a fantastic musical experience while "working".

Have diner with one of my sons, so I comment more tomorrow.

Regards. Erich

I'm not sure if anyone else has observed this but as the battery level gets really low sound quality,  to my ears, seems to get a bit rough. I leave mine plugged in virtually all the time

Dayjay, for instance when I arrived to my place, I connected the Hugo to my kit and sound was not as I expected (at office was excelent), playing lasted only a few minutes until battery went down.

Regards.  Erich.

Same here. It's best to keep it plugged in as Dayjay said.

Simon

Have you moved away from the MA-6 or do you suggest the HiLine because it is more readily available to most?

Aleg, I have moved back to the Hiline from the MA6. The MA6 seemed better when my ATC SCM19 mk2 speakers were running in.. But after a couple of hundred hours later I switched back to the Hiline and additionally after reducing the output level of the Hugo into the NAC I found the Hiline superior. It has greater bass authority and detail, as well as having a strange effect of making the audio come alive into the room.

Erich, glad you are enjoying the Hugo.. Yes leave it plugged in.

Simon

Inspired by Simon's post above, earlier on, I have loaned my friend's Hugo for home dem & so far the performance has left me very very impressed. Since the first home trial was without my usual Mac Mini because it was sent for power supply upgrading, I will have my second Hugo demo next week with my full system. If it ticks most of my boxes right, there will be no hesitation to have one installed in my system to replace the nDac/TXPS combo. Only time will tell.

Mikapoh.. Interesting.. Look forward to your update after the next demo

Simon

Apparently a more powerful Hugo is in development. So as  a Mac Mini plus Hugo is according to some

better sounding than any of Naim's current source components in  whatever configuration, the more powerful Hugo will presumably eliminate the need for any Naim pre and power components.

Add a decent pair of efficient speakers at say £3000 and for a total of £5000 you have a tiny two box system which you can put on a shelf which will sound better than a £50,000 Naim system and we can all go home.

"Originally Posted by Rob Watts 

Yes they are all tracked together on the PCB, connected to the same 1W power amp which is the only active stage in Hugo.

I know what you mean about Hugo driving efficient loudspeakers. I have a more powerful version of Hugo under development, (20W into 8) the prototype is being built as I type. Very exciting, as this is the culmination of a 10 year project."

Indeed - on other forums Rob has described it of having all the qualities of a Hugo but with a more powerful amplifier. Sounds quite interesting - but it clearly wont have the Naim sound we get from Naim amplifiers/pre amps.

Making a high power amplfier sounding as good as a 1 watt amplfier could be more difficult than making an excellent sounding dac! I wish them good luck.