Chord Hugo 2 desktop DAC - QUTEST

I saw this earlier today,I would think it can be used with the blu2,since it is basically a Hugo 2 without the headphone amp...so just a DAC,like the 2Qute.Also,you can see that it has the dual BNC inputs that are needed to attach The blu2.No remote though,so I don’t think it would work in preamp mode like the Hugo 2,which was one of the things I really liked about the Hugo 2.Next up should be an overhaul of the TT,I would think...or maybe a stand alone M scaler.

This may have come along at just the right time for me.

I came home from holiday over the Christmas period to some pretty horrible sounds emanating from my Hugo (1) based second system. Initially, there was a a huge amount of distortion which quickly became total silence from both the SPDIF and USB HD outputs, and a single channel of sound from the USB SD output. In fact, my microRendu now cannot see the Hugo DAC at all. Initially, I wasn't at all sure that the problem was the Hugo and not my speakers or my AV amp until I swapped in my Klimax DS/1 from my other system which played perfectly over the system. 

If the Qutest matches the audio quality of the Hugo2, then at the price that is forecast, it may be the perfect DAC for my AV system. If it also happens to be galvanically isolated, then I might also be able to ditch my Gustard U12 USB to SPDIF converter. 

Great news.

Great! The selectable output levels are good! I hope the selection gets "remembered" after a power cycle.

The only thing missing is a DIN output 

yes indeed, maybe if we make enough requests they will add that one on the next generation...

Chord just need to bring out a Poly style streamer for the QUTEST 

 QUTEST + Melco should be fine pair. 

Looks exactly what I'm after, Hugo 2 sound quality (but much cheaper) great form factor and adjustable output level. Would sit very nicely between my ndx and 282. Was going to get a poly but might need to divert those funds towards this now..

Fueller posted:

Looks exactly what I'm after, Hugo 2 sound quality (but much cheaper) great form factor and adjustable output level. Would sit very nicely between my ndx and 282. Was going to get a poly but might need to divert those funds towards this now..

That’s what everyone said about the 2Qute when it was announced, but it never seemed to catch on in the way that the Hugo did. Maybe the selectable output level will swing it this time?

ChrisSU posted:

Fueller posted:

Looks exactly what I'm after, Hugo 2 sound quality (but much cheaper) great form factor and adjustable output level. Would sit very nicely between my ndx and 282. Was going to get a poly but might need to divert those funds towards this now..

That’s what everyone said about the 2Qute when it was announced, but it never seemed to catch on in the way that the Hugo did. Maybe the selectable output level will swing it this time?

That’s because the 2Qute does not sound as good as the Hugo ime.

G

Agreed Chris, many said the 2Qute sound was different to Hugo and the 3v output made it a no-no for many on here (me included). It does seem Chord have this on board and hopefully got it right this time.

GraemeH posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Fueller posted:

Looks exactly what I'm after, Hugo 2 sound quality (but much cheaper) great form factor and adjustable output level. Would sit very nicely between my ndx and 282. Was going to get a poly but might need to divert those funds towards this now..

That’s what everyone said about the 2Qute when it was announced, but it never seemed to catch on in the way that the Hugo did. Maybe the selectable output level will swing it this time?

That’s because the 2Qute does not sound as good as the Hugo ime.

G

Yes, I just wonder if the 3v output is partly to blame for this. Using the 2V output of my NDX into 282 makes only a small part if the volume control usable, and I can’t imagine how on earth I would be able to adjust the volume with 3V going in. 

Sounds ideal this. Although I thought the same with the 2qute. My feelings tally with GraemeH's. I'll give it a chance though

HiFiman posted:

Chord just need to bring out a Poly style streamer for the QUTEST 

Better still, simply modify Poly to plug into any/all of their DACs, while changing it to an SD instead of micro SD card - you could then take your entire music collection in familiar format on holiday playing through Mojo, as well as at home on main system. 

ChrisSU posted:

Fueller posted:

Looks exactly what I'm after, Hugo 2 sound quality (but much cheaper) great form factor and adjustable output level. Would sit very nicely between my ndx and 282. Was going to get a poly but might need to divert those funds towards this now..

That’s what everyone said about the 2Qute when it was announced, but it never seemed to catch on in the way that the Hugo did. Maybe the selectable output level will swing it this time?

It did catch on out in the real world with non Naim owners and even some Naim owners who don't frequent this forum. 

2Qutes only being worth £500 as trade in towards the Qutest should make owners realise chord are just in it to take your money. A product cycle with small incremental improvements that make the previous incarnation almost worthless.

I thought trade-in is down to dealers - and when I upgraded from Hugo after 2 years, the trade-in I got was the full amount I originally paid.

Aside from that, aren’t all manufacturers in it to take your money? Of course, they could very possibly have got away with charging more for at least some products, like Hugo, creating greater profits that would allow greater trade-in as as a percentage...

Mr THX posted:

2Qutes only being worth £500 as trade in towards the Qutest should make owners realise chord are just in it to take your money. A product cycle with small incremental improvements that make the previous incarnation almost worthless.

Nobody is forcing you to trade it in,if you thought it was worth what you paid a couple of years ago...that should not change.For the record,I had the original Hugo,took a loss when I sold it,but that happens with any product.The Hugo 2,and I assume the Qutest IS significantly better than the original Hugo,I demo’d one at home,for over a month.

No quarter posted:

Nobody is forcing you to trade it in,

Sorry ..... did I say I was being forced?? 

Nope

Innocent Bystander posted:

Aside from that, aren’t all manufacturers in it to take your money? 

Very true they are, I just think Chords 'release schedule' bringing out products like this which in this case is all but an increase in TAPs is milking the DAC / digital side of HIFI. Of course they've put it in a different shell (billet of aluminium!) otherwise there would have been even more distain at what amounts to just an incremental tweak of the 2Qute.

So basically stump up £700 for those who were early adopters to the original DAC. As you say the same no doubt for Hugo owners etc Next up will be the Hugo TT market etc etc 

Mr THX posted:

2Qutes only being worth £500 as trade in towards the Qutest should make owners realise chord are just in it to take your money. A product cycle with small incremental improvements that make the previous incarnation almost worthless.

A new product doesn't make the old product sound any poorer. And if you are right about "small incremental improvements", there is no need at all to trade in for the new version...

i had hugo for 3 years  ,compared with previous ndac it was in different league BUT HAD TWO FAILURES bother related to batteries. so i sold it  ..never used it has headphone amp . It sat on the shelf all the time  

chord had a lot returns for battery issues   .common sense got rid of battery . most who have the chord it  never used as a portable.  So they put it in a better enclosure reduced led count .  THE orders will flood in before release  .£1200  with the best sound any where near that price. DIN   Why  the vast number will be happy with universal  rca.   great new for all of us.  BACK TO CHORD for me  once its settled in production

If you have a Hugo the technique is every few weeks let it run from its batteries and partially discharge... I am told this way the chance of failures is massively reduced, and I think it does everso slightly make the sound a little sweeter too.

I agree Simon,I had the original Hugo,used it in my home system,but I also brought it to work with me,to use with headphones a couple of times a week.Basically ran the battery down a couple of times a week,I ended up selling it to a guy I still work with,he does the same thing,and it is still going strong on its ORIGINAL batteries.I am very tempted to get the Qutest myself,since it will work with the Blu2,and I demo’d the Hugo 2,so know what it can do.The only thing holding me back though...I want a Dave/Blu2.