System Pics 2017

A forum friend his very kindly lent me his Chord Hugo for a bit, so I'm "experimenting" by comparing it to my trusty QBD76HDSD DAC. It looks such a strange little thing, but so far I'm very impressed. Both are fed from my Melco N1Z, the QBD via USB (which sounds best), the Hugo via co-ax from USB to SPDIF convertor. I have to use a BNC to phono adaptor for this latter connection; my convertor's BNC only. The sound quality takes a dive by using the Hugo's USB input, which I suppose is due to the lack of async. The Super Sarum phonos are a bit of a squeeze...

Which do I prefer? Well, they're different! Overall I marginally prefer the QBD, I think, but I shall continue listening to the Hugo, it really is an exceptional device.

Tony interesting to hear - and hadn't realised you had not heard a Hugo before - they are rather good aren't they? Nice picture - there is certainly a Chord Electronics look isn't there... I assume it must be a complete coincidence that there appears to be a rather good synergy between Chord Electronics sources and Naim amps. BTW the Melco USB should be able to natively drive the Hugo via async USB (make sure you drive the HD USB input on the Hugo) - the only thing the Hugo desert have is USB decoupling - but I understand the Melco takes care of that

S

2016 - moved from 172/200 to Devialet 400...

... and of course - the socks-picture

tom539 posted:

2016 - moved from 172/200 to Devialet 400...

... and of course - the socks-picture

were is the TT?

So the QBD76 is marginally preferred over the Hugo. That says a lot about the Hugo. (I noticed the QBD has the Powerline on it whilst the Hugo doesn't have a proper power cord).

I am seriously looking at the 2Qute. On an Australian forum, the 2Qute is said to be "better" than the Hugo- cleaner, more open and larger sound stage. I am beginning to think that all Chord DACs are capable of sounding great in the right systems, especially a Naim one.

tonym posted:

A forum friend his very kindly lent me his Chord Hugo for a bit, so I'm "experimenting" by comparing it to my trusty QBD76HDSD DAC. It looks such a strange little thing, but so far I'm very impressed. Both are fed from my Melco N1Z, the QBD via USB (which sounds best), the Hugo via co-ax from USB to SPDIF convertor. I have to use a BNC to phono adaptor for this latter connection; my convertor's BNC only. The sound quality takes a dive by using the Hugo's USB input, which I suppose is due to the lack of async. The Super Sarum phonos are a bit of a squeeze...

Which do I prefer? Well, they're different! Overall I marginally prefer the QBD, I think, but I shall continue listening to the Hugo, it really is an exceptional device.

I wondered about a report on the device. It is one of the few times my Hugo has ever had to really work hard (lots of electrons to push around in Tony's system!). I only used it for a 2 or 3  plane trips, and then earlier this year I decided the MoJo delivered 80% of the Hugo and was much more portable.

H Ryder - the 2Qute is pretty close to the Hugo but not quite there from many accounts, and after all its 2/3 the price - although it takes some seriously good trickle down from the Hugo, not least its FPGA DSP algorithms. Certainly the latest method of Chord reconstruction has taken DACs forward in a big way - especially for a given price point. Certainly worth auditioning - and if you can't appreciate a difference then go for the cheapest option 

ryder. posted:

I noticed the QBD has the Powerline on it ......

Does it? I thought that the the Powerline was on the component on the shelf below 

ryder. posted:

So the QBD76 is marginally preferred over the Hugo. That says a lot about the Hugo. (I noticed the QBD has the Powerline on it whilst the Hugo doesn't have a proper power cord).

I am seriously looking at the 2Qute. On an Australian forum, the 2Qute is said to be "better" than the Hugo- cleaner, more open and larger sound stage. I am beginning to think that all Chord DACs are capable of sounding great in the right systems, especially a Naim one.

The Hugo has a battery and a wall wart that can be used to recharge it off-line. The battery is good for about 10 hours so has comfortably lasted the whole of a long flight.

A little Christmas iPhone photo, complete with candles burning on the tree (and thankfully not burning the tree).

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

H Ryder - the 2Qute is pretty close to the Hugo but not quite there from many accounts, and after all its 2/3 the price - although it takes some seriously good trickle down from the Hugo, not least its FPGA DSP algorithms. Certainly the latest method of Chord reconstruction has taken DACs forward in a big way - especially for a given price point. Certainly worth auditioning - and if you can't appreciate a difference then go for the cheapest option 

Hi Simon, I have not done much research on both 2Qute and Hugo though the 2Qute is said to be a Hugo in a Chordette chassis with the same 6 FPGA DAC technology. The higher price of the Hugo might be the inclusion of a headphone amp. As the 2Qute is a home-orientated DAC, it has the galvanic isolation (which the Hugo does not have) which was claimed to offer greater sonic performance. Reading experiences from others who have compared on Pinkfish, a member found marginal difference between the 2Qute and Hugo TT when the levels were matched. The marginal difference pretty much coincides with what Tony has experienced with the QBD76 and Hugo.

It may be a possibility that although differences do exist between the DACs, it can be a rather close affair. Since the DAC plan is for the second system, I don't intend to spend too much money. Judging from how things are going, it appears that the cheaper Chord DACs may be capable of getting real close to the performance of the costlier units though, which can be a good (or bad) thing. Perhaps to put it in another way, the DACs will just sound different rather than one sounding better than the other.

Chris Dolan posted:

ryder. posted:

I noticed the QBD has the Powerline on it ......

Does it? I thought that the the Powerline was on the component on the shelf below 

Not too sure. The Powerline looks like it is going into the QBD76 to me.

gazla posted:

Very nice!

What rack is it?

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Tony interesting to hear - and hadn't realised you had not heard a Hugo before - they are rather good aren't they? Nice picture - there is certainly a Chord Electronics look isn't there... I assume it must be a complete coincidence that there appears to be a rather good synergy between Chord Electronics sources and Naim amps. BTW the Melco USB should be able to natively drive the Hugo via async USB (make sure you drive the HD USB input on the Hugo) - the only thing the Hugo desert have is USB decoupling - but I understand the Melco takes care of that

S

Hi Simon, I've heard the Hugo before, but not in my system - Steve J has been using his for a while and has always been most impressed. It certainly sounded excellent there. Steve also tried the 2Qute but much preferred the Hugo. Interesting what you mention re. the Hugo's USB input. Feeding it direct from the Melco definitely causes the sound quality to drop.

The Powerline's on the QBD. Many thanks to Nick From Suffolk for the loan! He's a jolly good sort.

I'm inclined to borrow the TT from our mutual dealer although IIRC Simon, you preferred your Hugo.

a present from my sister merry christmas!

and with the record... (on yellow vinyl)

[@mention:1566878603998573] Lovely! Great system and really cool Lego. I want one of those

christoph posted:

a present from my sister merry christmas!

and with the record... (on yellow vinyl)

christoph posted:

a present from my sister merry christmas!

and with the record... (on yellow vinyl)

that toy is the key to superial damping

tonym posted:

Hi Simon, I've heard the Hugo before, but not in my system - Steve J has been using his for a while and has always been most impressed. It certainly sounded excellent there. Steve also tried the 2Qute but much preferred the Hugo. Interesting what you mention re. the Hugo's USB input. Feeding it direct from the Melco definitely causes the sound quality to drop.

The Powerline's on the QBD. Many thanks to Nick From Suffolk for the loan! He's a jolly good sort.

I'm inclined to borrow the TT from our mutual dealer although IIRC Simon, you preferred your Hugo.

Hi Tony, the Hugo TT and Standard Hugo via SPDIF sound almost identical ( I don't use USB so I find your comment regarding Melco USB interesting)  ... with the TT having an everso slightly more dominant lower mid sound... not much to choose, and I guess I was familiar with the standard Hugo's slightly more spritely sound that perhaps better matched my room/system... either way they are both incredible devices. If all things SQ were equal then the TT does have advantages  of  better USB noise filtering, looks more the part on a rack and has a remote so could be used as a digital only preamp for a Naim amp ... I have heard very positive reports of this last item from our mutual dealer.

Magnus Hultstrand posted:

[@mention:1566878603998573] Lovely! Great system and really cool Lego. I want one of those

I know the '+1' response is frowned upon on this forum, but me too!

Clive B posted:

Magnus Hultstrand posted:

[@mention:1566878603998573] Lovely! Great system and really cool Lego. I want one of those

I know the '+1' response is frowned upon on this forum, but me too!

Lovely system photo and fabulous lego. I have the same submarine taking pride of place next to my Lego Farnsworth house.

"Very nice!

What rack is it?"

Looks like a Quadraspire rack, Elevensheep. 

Clive B posted:

Magnus Hultstrand posted:

[@mention:1566878603998573] Lovely! Great system and really cool Lego. I want one of those

I know the '+1' response is frowned upon on this forum, but me too!

+2 

Robiwan posted:

were is the TT?

Here it is...

This is my system in December 2016.

Changes since last year saw addition of the XPS DR and the PMC Twenty5.23's.

My system isn't too shabby, but I'm in awe of some of the posts in this thread, some really great looking rooms and systems.

ChrisH posted:

This is my system in December 2016.

Changes since last year saw addition of the XPS DR and the PMC Twenty5.23's.

My system isn't too shabby, but I'm in awe of some of the posts in this thread, some really great looking rooms and systems.

I dunno Chris. It looks like a pretty cosy room to groove in to me. The oak 23s are absolutely the right colour for that room.