Why is a Chord Hugo better than a Naim DAC

Some interesting comments.  I've not heard a QBD76 but have owned a DAC64 for 11 years.  When I first got my Hugo I thought it was miles  better than the 64.  However, with the recent sound card upgrade to my Bryston BDP I'm getting such sublime sound from the DAC64 via AES that I think I now  prefer it over the Hugo ( up to 24/96 of course). I find  the sound to be more  3 dimensional and with much more texture and subtlety of tone than the Hugo, which is supremely detailed but a bit 2D and sterile by comparison.  If I had to guess I would put it down to the difference in power supplies.  

Despite Chord's original intentions, some have suggested in the past that the DAC64 is very transport dependent. I'm wondering if I'm really hearing what it can do for the first time.

Question for Wat and others using iTunes from a Mac USB to Hugo or 2Qute specifically. For example, streaming Radio Paridise to 282/250.2 how can one tell the Mbps rate. 2Q lights up red.

M

If you are not using Audirvana or something similar then the 2Q will light up to what ever the Midi is set at AFAICT.

Running a 2Qute into NDX. 

The 2Qute absolutely retrieves more detail than an NDX. It also has more finesse and refinement.

2Qute into NDX vs. a bare NDX - no comparison. The 2Qute wins hands down.

True, but the NDX is very good and on lofi very low bit rate media I possibly prefer it. I connect both my NDX analogue out and my NDX driven Hugo to my 252 inputs so I can chose. I also do enable or disable digital and analogue outs on the NDX to suit for optimum performance.

Simon

I'm hearing similar results though the slight forwardness of the 2Q does reveal more detail. Interestingly, when re-engaging the NDX/NDAC surprised by the sheer power of the NDAC and bottom end.  Vince, do you have FW4.3 installed on the NDX?

M

I thought that was my secret OCD thing .........  I check that each output is correctly on or off after the app & especially the firmware updates as it does say its restoring factory defaults (it never does so for me)

I also en/disable all the other inputs like iRadio, USB, TV & Spotify when I listen to the better quality stuff on NAS.   I think (kid myself) it sounds better  ...........  is there any logic that this might be so ???

:-)

The secret we all secretly share...

I draw the line at iRadio though as I use that daily.

G

:-) I noticed that too...

Hi Graeme,  ....... question is do you hear any SQ difference???

I can't work out if its psychosomatic or for real, whatever its nothing that different but with the other "inputs" off I am more relaxed & that does something to me if not with the SQ.

I've never bothered to seriously listen for SQ improvement or otherwise Mike. I just assume it's maximising the NDX's efficiency and so I'm more content in that knowledge.

G

Mike - I cant say I notice differences on the digital inputs - but when using analogue out on NDX there is a subtle improvement disabling the SPDIF out. Vice-versa - its so subtle I could be imagining it.

Simon

For the record - I have everything disabled apart from Spdif out and iRadio. I can enable a further input for the Sonos when it's in use.

G

.... I normally have everything except iRadio,  as I use it a lot, & obviously UPnP left enabled

I disable the rest as they are all NDX functions or processes & might be affecting SQ.  I leave FM enabled as that's a switch link thru to the "Pre Tuner"   (NAT > SN)    

Hi, just went to purchase a 2q today but unfortunately there is a two week wait on new stock. I've ordered one anyway and intended to trial it to see if it's worth the investment over my existing Audiolab 8200cd. I also plan to SD if I can audition an nds x5. But SQ aside I am now confused as to whether I should go down the streamer route or stick to the mini PC and DAC. Will the later give me more options in the future without having to replace the whole unit in order to upgrade? I am interested to hear your views or experiences.

Thanks

I reckon the PC and USB DAC still gives you the most flexibility. Tidal, Spotify, Qobuz, roon - whatever comes out in the future will work on a PC way before most streamer manufacturers incorporate them into their streaming architecture ( if they ever do!) Arguably Linn's DS range is similarly flexible - anything they don't have a direct interface can still be played on a PC and sent to your DS via Songcast. And I think it's fair to say that players like JRiver Media Center or Audirvana offer nicer interfaces than their UPnP counterparts.

Mack, I'm using the latest NDX firmware.

Now that I have the 2Qute dialed in, there's no comparison with a bare NDX.

I am using the 2Qute with a Pardo power supply and I have it hooked up to an Entreq grounding box.

In my experience the XP5 on an NDX is not money well spent. Hugo every time.

G

I am not sure it is bridging the gap. The Hugo family of DACs appear to do things quite differently.

Adding a PSU to the NDX helps it perform better as an NDX in terms of SQ - but in my experience that is different to getting it to sound closer to a Hugo.

I happen to think the native NDX with a Hiline sounds  good - and for some compressed music types appears optimal. However the Hugo and NDS to some extent - take things in a different direction. There is suddenly more depth, detail, realism and nuance. I have done A/B tests by switching level matched inputs on my 252 doing this (between NDX and Hugo)  - and the differences make you grin... but that is not to say the NDX's DAC is very capable.

Simon

'...isn't very capable'

Shurely shome mishtake Shimon...G

To my ears the XP5XS perked up the bare NDX nicely. All the usual PS stuff. Even though a demo a lot to pay for modest benefits. Couldn't tell any benefit when feeding the 2Qute though. I agree with Simon and others the 2Q/Hugo conundrum is a better overall window to the music than the NDX (or NDAC which I own) either with or without the XP5XS but the NDX/XP5XS combo is really good especially from the demo or second hand market. I returned the XP5XS to my dealer and will probably keep the 2Q. 2Q is an amazing device considering the price and the fact it can be used USB with a Mac/PC as well.

M

Whoops, yes, fat fingers on the iPad 

I thought the strings weren't being pulled properly myself

G