Hugo 2

It got to hear the Dave with the m-scaler last week at my dealers home,only briefly though...sounded really good.I wonder if the Hugo 2 with m-scaler would outperform the "bare Dave".The Dave is on my radar now,because,I ordered a pair of Focal Utopia headphones.

I am more curious of Blu2+Dave.... could be an interesting CDPlayer/DAC combo with million taps, whatever that means....

Emre posted:

I am more curious of Blu2+Dave.... could be an interesting CDPlayer/DAC combo with million taps, whatever that means....

That is what I meant to say,it was the Blu2+Dave that I heard,the m-scaler is the tech inside it,at least I think that is what Robb Watts calls it.

It wiill be interesting to see how m scaler develops with Hugo 2. I'm hoping it will become available in a different form other than blu cd player. Perhaps even available as software for your laptop or more affordable dedicated device.

did you listen a cd 16/44? it has a usb input as well i guess....  

Emre posted:

did you listen a cd 16/44? it has a usb input as well i guess....  

Yes,he put a CD in the blu 2,unfortunately I was only dropping off some speakers,and could only stay for a couple of tracks.He uses Focal Sopra 1's,I came away very impressed from my short listen,I have to go see him again soon,so will try to sit down for a longer session next time.From that little time I had...I want that combo!

Halloween Man posted:

It wiill be interesting to see how m scaler develops with Hugo 2. I'm hoping it will become available in a different form other than blu cd player. Perhaps even available as software for your laptop or more affordable dedicated device.

The Blu 2 is exactly the same size as the Dave,and is rock solid,built like a tank...very appealing to the eyes.His pair are both black,and would look/sound fantastic on top of my Naim Fraim.Rob WAtts does not have plans to build a standalone m-scaler any time soon,but I would love to try the Blu 2 with a Hugo 2.

Nice review....

How is the shawline RCA to XLR....?

Thanks. It's superb. I've had it for a good while now, I compared it to lots of weird and wonderful cables at the time it was easily my favourite. Ticked all the boxes. I like to think of it as the VW Golf of cables 

Thanks HM. Look forward to further updates as it runs in

Thanks HM, which cables did you compare them to?

Interesting post. I'm still pondering my next upgrade!!!! Never one to rush things. 

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

stuart posted:

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

Bye bye Naim? I haven't heard this, but I remember that a few people who tried wrote that TTs and Daves  need a Naim preamp for Naim sound -- makes sense, doesn't it? 

Timo posted:

stuart posted:

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

Bye bye Naim? I haven't heard this, but I remember that a few people who tried wrote that TTs and Daves  need a Naim preamp for Naim sound -- makes sense, doesn't it? 

 

This would be my main concern so it would have to be a great combination. It could be a suitable end point with no more urges to upgrade on psu's etc (who am I kidding)! 

stuart posted:

Interesting post. I'm still pondering my next upgrade!!!! Never one to rush things. 

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

You don't need a preamp if using active speakers and only digital sources. In fact with a Hugo 2 or TT into atc active speakers using a preamp will make it sound worse. I would buy Hugo 2 over current version of TT, having owned both.

analogmusic posted:

Thanks HM, which cables did you compare them to?

Mostly pro audio xlr to xlr such as Mogami gold, sommer emc quad etc

Mayor West posted:

Thanks HM. Look forward to further updates as it runs in

The more u listen the more you appreciate its value. Perhaps it's my brain that Hugo 2 is running in 

Timo posted:

stuart posted:

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

Bye bye Naim? I haven't heard this, but I remember that a few people who tried wrote that TTs and Daves  need a Naim preamp for Naim sound -- makes sense, doesn't it? 

 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Timo posted:

stuart posted:

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

Bye bye Naim? I haven't heard this, but I remember that a few people who tried wrote that TTs and Daves  need a Naim preamp for Naim sound -- makes sense, doesn't it? 

 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

This is very true which is why it would have to a special combination. Remember these are alternatives that I will be considering - no decisions made yet. I don't want to take this thread off track so please keep the information coming HM. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

Timo posted:

stuart posted:

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

Bye bye Naim? I haven't heard this, but I remember that a few people who tried wrote that TTs and Daves  need a Naim preamp for Naim sound -- makes sense, doesn't it? 

 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

Well, if one isn't after Naim sound, then there might be better places than the Naim Hifi Corner... 

Timo posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Timo posted:

stuart posted:

I plan to listen to atc 19 and if they are my cup of tea an option could be Hugo 2 or TT into active 19s. How do you rate the pre amp for these duties? 

Bye bye Naim? I haven't heard this, but I remember that a few people who tried wrote that TTs and Daves  need a Naim preamp for Naim sound -- makes sense, doesn't it? 

 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

Well, if one isn't after Naim sound, then there might be better places than the Naim Hifi Corner... 

One might just be after the best sound (where 'best' depends on what is one's own preference for appreciating music, which could be faithfulness to the recording, which in turn if absolute faithfulness is not achievable, then a preference as to what is compromised, or something else), when Naim might be a brand that could feature. Of course if it come down to foot tapping being the prime aim... but there's a thread devoted to that.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Timo posted: 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

Well, if one isn't after Naim sound, then there might be better places than the Naim Hifi Corner... 

One might just be after the best sound (where 'best' depends on what is one's own preference for appreciating music, which could be faithfulness to the recording, which in turn if absolute faithfulness is not achievable, then a preference as to what is compromised, or something else), when Naim might be a brand that could feature. Of course if it come down to foot tapping being the prime aim... but there's a thread devoted to that.

Fair enough -- but if the "best sound" has nothing to do with Naim, what's the point of populating the Naim Hifi Corner? Evangelise??!!

Timo posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Timo posted: 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

Well, if one isn't after Naim sound, then there might be better places than the Naim Hifi Corner... 

One might just be after the best sound (where 'best' depends on what is one's own preference for appreciating music, which could be faithfulness to the recording, which in turn if absolute faithfulness is not achievable, then a preference as to what is compromised, or something else), when Naim might be a brand that could feature. Of course if it come down to foot tapping being the prime aim... but there's a thread devoted to that.

Fair enough -- but if the "best sound" has nothing to do with Naim, what's the point of populating the Naim Hifi Corner? Evangelise??!!

Maybe for some (whether or not the best sound is wholly or nothing to do with Naim). Other reasons can be to learn, or to assist others (or both), or to provoke thought - I am sure there are others. This thread would not exist for the possible interest of other forumites, including Naim owners, if people without Naim gear didn't populate this forum.

I can confirm that you retain all the Naim goodness when feeding active Dynaudio XD 600's from a N272 digital out,I tried using the analog inputs fed from my Hugo,but the digital input is much better.Granted,the ATC's only have analog inputs.Maybe the XD 200's would be a good choice for some people.I demo'd those last year,and they are superb.

Timo posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

Timo posted: 

If the "Naim sound" is what you crave, then yes, presumably you need a Naim device that will create it.

Well, if one isn't after Naim sound, then there might be better places than the Naim Hifi Corner... 

One might just be after the best sound (where 'best' depends on what is one's own preference for appreciating music, which could be faithfulness to the recording, which in turn if absolute faithfulness is not achievable, then a preference as to what is compromised, or something else), when Naim might be a brand that could feature. Of course if it come down to foot tapping being the prime aim... but there's a thread devoted to that.

Fair enough -- but if the "best sound" has nothing to do with Naim, what's the point of populating the Naim Hifi Corner? Evangelise??!!

I think it's fantastic that Naim products can happily co-exist with other high end British hifi products such as Chord Hugo and the like. Take Naim's new Uniti Core, this makes an excellent source for Hugo 2. Take Naim's V1 that I previously used with ATC active speakers - sounded superb. Better still 272 with ATC actives. Many use Hugo into a Naim preamp and love it. You can go on. It would be for the worse if all were mutually exclusive clubs and systems.

One issue that deterred me from considering a Naim power amp previously was as comments by Naim that they are really designed to work best with a Naim preamp. In the modern world of DACs with built in preamp/volume control such as Hugo or Dave or V1 or 272 you could argue this is an outdated design philosophy and should be addressed with future power amps so that Naim power amps can work equally well with third party DACs with built in preamps/volume control. Many such as myself have only digital sources and no need for preamp.

Wouldn't it also be great if Focal and Naim created active speakers to challenge ATC?

Anyway, back to Hugo 2. Listening to Agnes Obel, Red Virgin Soil, it truly sounds sublime, really showcases Hugo 2, surreal depth and realism to the music. I am finding that Hugo 2 with ATC SCM19A speakers is more unforgiving than I expected with poor recordings. So much so that I decided to substantially reduce the toe in on my speakers to tame the top end a little.