Dave - Hugo's big brother.

analog - to be fair you were comparing Chord's 'David' to Linn's 'Goliath'.

I would hope that DAVE may be a better match-up. Should be interesting. 

WTF is "Steampunk Ethos"?

Tony, you sound like the judge asking about a pop group They are a musical beat combo.

Modern technology with a 19th century steam type look and feel. ie Steam powered computer. 

Didn't know you could get steam-powered computers Howard. Is my Chord DAC steam powered then? I'll try pouring some water down those little vent holes in the top.

A matter of personal preference. I compared a KDS with my old CD555 & much preferred the latter. My Chord DAC is better than both to my ears.

I have a soft spot for the Hugo but honestly the KDS/1 is so much more musical. no contest

A Linn KDS is about £13,000. A Hugo is £1,400.

Some perspective needed?

+1 i'm not really sure what your point is Analog. A Porsche is better than a Mini. 

Not if you're competing in an auto-test it isn't, try doing this in a Porsche, see below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3U7NktNj1o

 How on earth did he remember the course, i got dizzy just watching. Ok ok a Porsche is mostly better than a Mini, unless you are very weird  

The more pics i see of Dave the more i like it. I think the stand really put me off and that grainy first picture.

Even worse when you consider, as a competitor, all you're given is this, the dashed lines indicate you be in reverse.

Yes but what does that really tell you. 

I was open to this, but didn't find Hugo to be an KDS replacement. 

Not even close.

anyway now Chord are saying DAVE is the best DAC in the world.

I wonder how you would compare the NDS/555 against the KDS. Be interesting, but don't know if you are able too

Its like one of those puzzles, which line makes it out of the maze

Sorry for going of topic here folks, but feel the need to point out that there is no practice in these events either, not in a car anyway, you are allowed to walk the course though.  Hence why very weird people will occasionally be spotted walking around cones, both forward, and yes, we walk backwards in the appropriate places, to memorise the course.  Even to me, the eternal petrol-head, it looks, and feels, ridiculous.  

Anyway, back to Dave.  Still not something that really appeals aesthetically with or without stand, but most hifi is not exactly appealing to the eye, just less showy perhaps.  If it delivers the goods musically, well, who cares.  Just hide it behind something. 

Looks a little big for that SongStream, Mind you maybe its smaller than it looks. Its the QBD76 also a headphone amp?

They should have photographed it next to a 50 pence piece.  I've lost all sense of scale on it now.  How big is it?

anyway getting over the shock of the price.

just want to hear how does it sound?

I don't, i want want one

Perhaps they will made a matching DACless streamer and call it Sam. I think Dave is a great name and that he looks rather nice.