Since there has been no modification to the 240 anybody who is using it with an amp is using it through the headphone jack I assume...given that reality is there signal degradation?

just talked to jimmy and he doesn't see any issue with connecting 2.5mm to kobiconn/xlr/hirose/etc for balanced out. mind he doesn't have a balanced amp there to try but thinks it should be no problem.
i'll make a cable and connect to sr71b+

teds headfood said:

just talked to jimmy and he doesn't see any issue with connecting 2.5mm to kobiconn/xlr/hirose/etc for balanced out. mind he doesn't have a balanced amp there to try but thinks it should be no problem.
i'll make a cable and connect to sr71b+

Click to expand...

Worked great for me, I'm using balanced out to a Duet. Enjoy guys

jedaite said:

  I am very curious about this, since it happens on my Pico Slim and iPod combo.
 
 
When I plug in my ES5s, there is a clicking noise with some harsh static that lasts for like 0.1 seconds or so. There is also background noise.
 
 
Are these issues present in the AK240 as well?
 
 
If you've spent enough time with it already, what issues would you point out to someone interested in getting it (if any)?

Click to expand...

Does anyone know what I mean and would be kind enough to give me an answer? ^^

jedaite said:

Does anyone know what I mean and would be kind enough to give me an answer? ^^

Click to expand...

I'm having none of these issues, running my AK-240, single or with my Duet.

Thanks for the reply, it's good to know

 

 
 

Click to expand...

Hi bmichels,
 
It looks like few people here favor  AK240 + HUGO  

.
I probably won't disagree
 
(1) isn't a waste to bypass the "very good DAC/AMP" of the AK240,
 
A big yes with caveat. First of all AK240 has a very good set of built-in DAC and Amp. Strictly speaking, no one needs to add an external amp or DAC. Blame me for auditioning the Hugo when I was perfectly happy with the standalone AK240, In combination, each musical instrument becomes more distinct and a resultant better soundstage (yes, even with crossfeed off). With crossfeed on, it surprisingly didn't degrade the overall balance, at least to my ears.
 
(2) with this configuration we loose the option to have Balanced headphone out
 
Very true, and there is a possibility that a balanced wired headset alone would have given the same improvements. Unfortunately I have yet to find out. (I have pre-ordered balanced cables for my 2 coming ciems from the always reliable Jaben but they have yet to deliver).
 
(3) with this configuration we loose the option to play native DSD (which I understood is "stellar" with the AK240) !
 
DSD tracks sound fantastic in AK240 and losing the ability to hear DSD tracks through Hugo is painful!
 
So, are all those trade off (NO DSD, NO Balanced out)+ Added cost + added bulk...  worth'it
 
The biggest problem with Hugo is the size (not the weight) but this is somewhat compensated by the easy grip in one hand together with AK240, I personally think it's worth it because I can enjoy the sound quality I like better right now. I can't answer this question for any other person. All I can suggest is let the buyer beware! Know all the limitations, go for an audition and see if you think if it's worth it (or better, don't audition and save all the troubles )
 
 
 Is  AK240+HUGO  really  much better than  AK240 alone ?
 
Better, to me personally, yes! Much better? hard to say, perhaps I would say sufficiently better? At this thread, aren't we all just looking for that incremental improvements?
 
Doesn't  HUGO + TOL Portable Balanced amp make more sense ?
 
I don't know, I haven't audition and don't try to put that idea in my mind 

jlbrach said:

  Since there has been no modification to the 240 anybody who is using it with an amp is using it through the headphone jack I assume...given that reality is there signal degradation?

Click to expand...

Its the analogue out, line out and optical digital out in one. So there shouldn't be any quality degradation.

sutjahjo said:

  Its the analogue out, line out and optical digital out in one. So there shouldn't be any quality degradation.

Click to expand...

 
I spoke to Jimmy at A&K on whether activating the line out option does indeed mean the signal path is shorter since the volume pot is bypassed, and his assessment was it was not, but he told me he would look into it to make sure. If it is true that the line out is just locking the volume at 75, then that means there could be some degradation of the signal although it may be slight. I believe it was Currawong who suggested recently that the volume control in the 240 is an optical encoder, not an analog potentiometer. I'm not familiar enough with optical encoders other than they are digital devices and are theoretically cleaner and more accurate than a similarly priced analog potentiometer. Perhaps someone who is more informed can clarify this point.
 
Just want to add that I recall Krell using analog potentiometers for its top end preamps back in the 90s that were sourced from a company named Penny and Giles; these potentiometers were incredibly expensive due to exceptional build quality resulting in perfect tracking between channels. So, analog pots can be made to perform at a very high level, but I suppose the cost of manufacture may make them archaic in today's world of digital.

Well said!

Probably the optical out of the AK240 to the Hugo sounds best. I don't think so much that it is the AK240 but more the Hugo.

jwbrent said:

   
I spoke to Jimmy at A&K on whether activating the line out option does indeed mean the signal path is shorter since the volume pot is bypassed, and his assessment was it was not, but he told me he would look into it to make sure. If it is true that the line out is just locking the volume at 75, then that means there could be some degradation of the signal although it may be slight. I believe it was Currawong who suggested recently that the volume control in the 240 is an optical encoder, not an analog potentiometer. I'm not familiar enough with optical encoders other than they are digital devices and are theoretically cleaner and more accurate than a similarly priced analog potentiometer. Perhaps someone who is more informed can clarify this point.
 
Just want to add that I recall Krell using analog potentiometers for its top end preamps back in the 90s that were sourced from a company named Penny and Giles; these potentiometers were incredibly expensive due to exceptional build quality resulting in perfect tracking between channels. So, analog pots can be made to perform at a very high level, but I suppose the cost of manufacture may make them archaic in today's world of digital.

Click to expand...

 
I was told specifically by the people at ALO that the AK240 has a high quality analog pot to improve sound quality.  They also indicated that such pots are quite expensive these days because they are now relatively difficult to find - given that everything is digital now.

daseinpdx said:

   
I was told specifically by the people at ALO that the AK240 has a high quality analog pot to improve sound quality.  They also indicated that such pots are quite expensive these days because they are now relatively difficult to find - given that everything is digital now.

Click to expand...

 
I was wondering - how can it be an analogue pot if it goes round and round and round? Is there some technology I am not aware of?

currawong said:

Probably the optical out of the AK240 to the Hugo sounds best. I don't think so much that it is the AK240 but more the Hugo.

Click to expand...

I think Hugo is wonderful, but you still need a good source.

sutjahjo said:

I think Hugo is wonderful, but you still need a good source.

Click to expand...

anyway, AK240's line-out -> Hugo ...  is NOT possible since HUGO do not have Line-IN.  Only digital IN (USB, Coax, optical)....