Why is a Chord Hugo better than a Naim DAC

Graeme,

Yes I can see what you mean now. A change of file  type has caused the "window" to change colour.

More files are needed to check the colours.

As an aside I updated VLC and it now won't play many of my HD albums even needle drops as it says it can't play DRM files and COG seems to be the same. It was only a quick play last night so I'll do some more tests later. 

Hi, between my NDX and Hugo, I did initially use a Naim DC1 BNC to RCA lead, but in the end I opted for a Gotham Cable BNC to RCA lead. I simply preferred the end performance that way .. It might have been because the Gotham cable was physically shorter and lighter than my DC1.

Simon

Try a Mark Grant G1000HD - it's only £25, well built and will do the job nicely. 

Yeah agree about price tag. Gotham cables tend to be used more in the audio industry rather than consumer land, and also have realitively modest prices.

Simon

I have an ND5XS. I subsequently went to add XP5XS to 'complete' it, but actually found very little to justify the expense - and then tried the Hugo (Instead of XP5XS). Then I was into something interesting - a difference I couldn't put my finger on, subtle but definite. I kept swapping between ND5XS's own DAC and feeding through Hugo, until I realised I had stopped swapping, leaving it on Hugo. Hard to explain what the difference is, just, maybe, more "realistic" a sound to my ears - reading this thread today (sadly I was on holiday so missed it 'live' - not sad I was on holiday, but ia lot of catching up!) I can see how others have heard the same though expressed it differently.

I ended up using Chord Signature Digital and Chord Signature Analogue (Din to phono) on my NDX> Hugo> SN2. Loads of detail, a wider soundstage, and a very natural, involving sound. The only thing with the Signature Digital is that it is not very flexible, so a little problematic with the light weight of the Hugo. I compared the DC1 with the Signature and preferred the Signature as it brought more of what I was after, without losing too much in the PRAT department. The DC1 by comparison was muddier but with great driving bass and rhythm.

I'm using a Chord Anthem Reference, and bluetac under my Hugo 

My 2Qute and SL RCA-Din SL cable arrive tomorrow. Looking forward to comparing it with the Hugo.

Nice 

I'll be interested in your feedback, Steve.  Who would have thought it: a source costing significantly less than its interconnect?  Strange days.

Mike 

The August 2015 copy of HiFi News has some interesting measurements of the Hugo. The HD input seems very sensitive to source - the s/n ratio when fed from a dedicated PC was measured at 91.5dB and this improved (a lot) to 105.0dB when fed from the USB output of a Melco N1A. Similarly jitter dropped from 18 to 7psec. This is possibly due to the lack of galvanic isolation on this input. Not surprising perhaps that Mr W himself prefers to use an Olimex isolator and the SD input.

Will be interesting to see your findings Steve

It's a little early for me to fully comment at the moment. I received the 2Qute and SL IC on Wednesday. That evening I tried the 2Qute with the Hiline and was pleasantly surprised it sounded as good as the Hugo straight out of the box. I then installed the Hugo with the SL and it sounded pretty good for the half an hour I listened to it. I put the 2Qute back in with the SL and left it running until the next evening and the sound had become a little bright, although the resolution was still improved and the bass was more defined and tight. Tonight, after another twenty four hours it's much better and I'm enjoying the improved SQ.

One thing to note is the higher output of the 2Qute isn't a problem. With some files I found I had to crank up the volume to 11 o'clock on the preamp with the Hugo which made the 500 work much harder. The 2Qute listening volume is now around 9 o'clock and the 500 is as cool as a cucumber.

I don't agree with Graeme that the 2Qute looks better than the Hugo. To me it looks like a black brick with a round light, but at least it almost disappears against the black Fraim shelf on the bottom of the rack. I do like all the connects being situated on the back of the unit though.

So far I'm delighted with the new DAC and IC. 

Steve, interesting summary, didn't get the bit of the 500 working harder if the overall volume is the same.. But perhaps I misunderstood what you were typing.

Simon

Sorry Simon. What I was trying to say was the output volume of the Hugo at turquoise is so low that I needed to crank up the volume level on the 552 to eleven to hear it at the required listening volume. At this level the 500 would become quite warm. With the 2Qute the output volume is higher and the 552 volume equivalent is around 9 o'clock. I'm currently listening to Pink Floyd loud at between 9 and 10 'o'clock on the 552 through the 2Qute. It's a similar level to what I remember the volume being when I had one of those old silver disc machines. 

Steve ok thanks, I wonder if some sort of ultrasonic inaudible signal was somehow being amplified before warming the 500 up. Is this all with USB?

Much the same findings as me. 2Qute output does cause a little problem for late night soft listening as the range is very small from just too loud to nothing. An adjustment to iTunes level solves this. My understanding being leave iTunes at maximum.

No fancy I/Cs here, I do have a Highline but it's a din to din so I might try to get a din to RCA version.

of course my comments apply to 2Qute in an Olive system 52/SC/250.

i have had an issue with drop outs an clicks on optical input from the TV. I'm back to Dac magic for TV use, I'll try MM optical to 2Q and see if the problem still shows.

Could you have not just increased the output from the Hugo Steve?

I could have but I found, along with others, that the optimum volume level for best SQ on the Hugo was at the turquoise level. 

Yes, USB.

Lovethatsound, I may do. The thing I like of the Hugo is that slightly organic / valve like mid performance coupled with that natural breathable presentation. I hear the 2Qute has a slightly more pronounced top end and a tighter bass than the Hugo... my ideal development for the Hugo would be perhaps a slightly tighter bass but still with that organic mid and natural feel and presentation.. Perhaps the QBD76 has it, but I have yet to hear it bettered overall.. But keeping an open mind I can only truly gauge this on a home demo. But from what I hear on the other forums, if you are a coax user like me, the Hugo is probably one of the best. Optical and certainly USB there are probably better Chord DACs now. 

Simon