Hugo + Nait XS2 / SN2

I used to run Mojo which is very similar to the Hugo with XS-2 with a Hicap DR and it wasn't bass light at all. Keep in mind that my speakers were Neat S1 which are amazing in their bass response. I then upgraded to the SN2 and the bass got tighter and the sound stage is wider and higher. However, the improvement from the XS2 to the SN2 is not that big so I really advise you to audition both and then you decide if the SN2 is worth the extra money. 

Thanks Moussa. I'll bare this in mind. I actuallt borrowed an SN2 but one channel didn't work. Will have to wait and see.

Moussa posted:

I used to run Mojo which is very similar to the Hugo with XS-2 with a Hicap DR and it wasn't bass light at all. Keep in mind that my speakers were Neat S1 which are amazing in their bass response. I then upgraded to the SN2 and the bass got tighter and the sound stage is wider and higher. However, the improvement from the XS2 to the SN2 is not that big so I really advise you to audition both and then you decide if the SN2 is worth the extra money. 

What did you replace the Mojo with?

I replaced it with Mytek Brooklyn and have it powered by a LPS (Uptone Audio JS-2). 

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Thanks Moussa. I'll bare this in mind. I actuallt borrowed an SN2 but one channel didn't work. Will have to wait and see.

Just to highlight one point. I only used my XS2 with the Hicap DR which lifts its performance significantly and makes it close to a naked SN2. Maybe a naked xs2 vs a naked SN2 would reveal greater contrast than what I have experienced. 

FWIW you might be better off with light than with boomy basses. I love ProAc for their accuracy and density of timbres, texture and presentation but the lower spectrum of their floor standers is often difficult to drive and control.

Chag -

Iconoclast posted:

Moussa posted:

I used to run Mojo which is very similar to the Hugo with XS-2 with a Hicap DR and it wasn't bass light at all. Keep in mind that my speakers were Neat S1 which are amazing in their bass response. I then upgraded to the SN2 and the bass got tighter and the sound stage is wider and higher. However, the improvement from the XS2 to the SN2 is not that big so I really advise you to audition both and then you decide if the SN2 is worth the extra money. 

What did you replace the Mojo with?

What did you gain with the Mytek? I haven't heard the Mojo yet but despite all the rave reviews I read between the lines and interpret that it's excellent and excellent VFM for a portable DAC/HP amp but not necessarily as excellent when compared to full sized DACs in a home system.

Chag... posted:

FWIW you might be better off with light than with boomy basses. I love ProAc for their accuracy and density of timbres, texture and presentation but the lower spectrum of their floor standers is often difficult to drive and control.

Chag -

Naits have a bit of a midbass bump which is why careful matching is important. I thought I had bass issues with Proac stand mounts in my room until I tried B&W CM5s2. Very musical but totally unruly bass in my untreated 9x17' room. Even worse with added PSU.

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Iconoclast posted:

Iconoclast posted:

Moussa posted:

I used to run Mojo which is very similar to the Hugo with XS-2 with a Hicap DR and it wasn't bass light at all. Keep in mind that my speakers were Neat S1 which are amazing in their bass response. I then upgraded to the SN2 and the bass got tighter and the sound stage is wider and higher. However, the improvement from the XS2 to the SN2 is not that big so I really advise you to audition both and then you decide if the SN2 is worth the extra money. 

What did you replace the Mojo with?

What did you gain with the Mytek? I haven't heard the Mojo yet but despite all the rave reviews I read between the lines and interpret that it's excellent and excellent VFM for a portable DAC/HP amp but not necessarily as excellent when compared to full sized DACs in a home system.

The main improvements were bigger sound, punchier bass and increased transparency. You get more of the micro dynamics. It excels on DSD which is played native so no need to do DOP like in the case of chord Dacs which puts less processing on the cpu. 

Hi ThatsNotMyNaim,

I went from Nait XS1 + Flatcap XS (Haven't heard Nait XS2) to SN2. The main reason being was that I felt the Nait XS just lacked a bit of bottom end control over my PMC 20.23's. I loved the Nait XS though so was reluctant to upgrade, but pleasingly for me the SN2 retained everything that I loved about the Nait XS but took it all to the next level. I'd say that they both have a very similar character, but SN2 has (sorry for the hi-fi clichés) superior control and slam however at the same time offers greater transparency, delicacy and soundstaging. Despite the clichés, the thing I love the most about it is that its so involving, especially when used with a good source. It will definitely be worth an audition once you've optimised the rest of your set up.

Mayor West posted:

Hi ThatsNotMyNaim,

I went from Nait XS1 + Flatcap XS (Haven't heard Nait XS2) to SN2. The main reason being was that I felt the Nait XS just lacked a bit of bottom end control over my PMC 20.23's. I loved the Nait XS though so was reluctant to upgrade, but pleasingly for me the SN2 retained everything that I loved about the Nait XS but took it all to the next level. I'd say that they both have a very similar character, but SN2 has (sorry for the hi-fi clichés) superior control and slam however at the same time offers greater transparency, delicacy and soundstaging. Despite the clichés, the thing I love the most about it is that its so involving, especially when used with a good source. It will definitely be worth an audition once you've optimised the rest of your set up.

Thanks Mayor. The delicacy and slam sounds ideal!