Mojo with LCD-XC isn't a good combo (bad synergy), i'm wondering if anyone can comment about Hugo with LCD-XC?

Or maybe I should use Mojo as a dac (line-out) with external amp? anyone did that and got a good synergy?

Hugo with LCD-XC is an incredibly bad combo. It's unlistenable for me.

callizer said:

Hugo with LCD-XC is an incredibly bad combo. It's unlistenable for me.

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All Audeze LCD products are not really good matches with the Hugo.

sp3llv3xit said:

All Audeze LCD products are not really good matches with the Hugo.

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I have to disagree. LCD-X and LCD-3f pair well with Hugo.

callizer said:

I have to disagree. LCD-X and LCD-3f pair well with Hugo.

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Agree: I used to own LCD-X and it was perfect match with my HUGO.  
 
I sold it since just because of it's weight and un-confort.

It is almost like you can't even comment mentioning that some headphones need more power to shine and that power is not provided by the Hugo alone. Once you mention this someone or the other will explain inaudible harmonic distortion that is introduced. Why is it difficult to understand that some headphones actually need more power to shine than what the hugo can provide? It's like you can't even have your opinions based on your own listening without someone trying to prove you wrong and tell you that the whole idea of more power is a fallacy. 
 
Is the Hugo a very clean sounding device sufficient for many headphones? Yes. Can better sound be had on some headphones by introducing an external amplifier with the Hugo? Yes.

jozurr said:

  It is almost like you can't even comment mentioning that some headphones need more power to shine and that power is not provided by the Hugo alone. Once you mention this someone or the other will explain inaudible harmonic distortion that is introduced. Why is it difficult to understand that some headphones actually need more power to shine than what the hugo can provide? It's like you can't even have your opinions based on your own listening without someone trying to prove you wrong and tell you that the whole idea of more power is a fallacy. 
 
Is the Hugo a very clean sounding device sufficient for many headphones? Yes. Can better sound be had on some headphones by introducing an external amplifier with the Hugo? Yes.

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I used the Schiit Mjolnir with the LCD-X.  

Hugo couldn't even get near the same neighborhood.  

I also paired the X with the Hugo + Mass Kobo 404.    Not good.

I've been there @Jozurr  --  it's almost as if there's a certain taboo in mentioning anything bad about these pairings.

I've heard better -- whilst that may be subjective, the criteria aren't.  Clarity, instrument separation, bass tightness, sub-bass reach, they're all leagues ahead of what the Hugo alone can push out.

Then again, I got lynched by Headfi engineers and scientists when I said that there are better usb cables...   


 

4 my ears hugo + (lcd2 or lcdx or el8) is an excellent match

callizer said:

Hugo with LCD-XC is an incredibly bad combo. It's unlistenable for me.

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Thanx, Any suggestions? or I can use mojo as a dac and find a good amp
 

sp3llv3xit said:

I also paired the X with the Hugo + Mass Kobo 404.    Not good.

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Oh, so Hugo even as a dac didn't match with LCD-X or it was the Mass Kobo 404 that didn't match?

callizer said:

 

sp3llv3xit said:

All Audeze LCD products are not really good matches with the Hugo.

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I have to disagree. LCD-X and LCD-3f pair well with Hugo.

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I have to aggree; love my X  with Hugo.  I don't know about the XC, can't help there, but IMHO, X does just fine.

jozurr said:

  It is almost like you can't even comment mentioning that some headphones need more power to shine and that power is not provided by the Hugo alone. Once you mention this someone or the other will explain inaudible harmonic distortion that is introduced. Why is it difficult to understand that some headphones actually need more power to shine than what the hugo can provide? It's like you can't even have your opinions based on your own listening without someone trying to prove you wrong and tell you that the whole idea of more power is a fallacy. 
 
Is the Hugo a very clean sounding device sufficient for many headphones? Yes. Can better sound be had on some headphones by introducing an external amplifier with the Hugo? Yes.

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With all due respect, if you can't take it, why give it?  Of course some power-hungry phones will need more power to drive them: the noted HE-6  for one.  But, even a rank amateur like meself can understand what some people are saying about an external amp filming over-or colouring the sound of a strait Hugo.
Please, let it rest and enjoy your equipment on your own terms, and the music.

jozurr said:

  It is almost like you can't even comment mentioning that some headphones need more power to shine and that power is not provided by the Hugo alone. Once you mention this someone or the other will explain inaudible harmonic distortion that is introduced. Why is it difficult to understand that some headphones actually need more power to shine than what the hugo can provide? It's like you can't even have your opinions based on your own listening without someone trying to prove you wrong and tell you that the whole idea of more power is a fallacy. 
 
Is the Hugo a very clean sounding device sufficient for many headphones? Yes. Can better sound be had on some headphones by introducing an external amplifier with the Hugo? Yes.

Click to expand...

sp3llv3xit said:

 

jozurr said:

  It is almost like you can't even comment mentioning that some headphones need more power to shine and that power is not provided by the Hugo alone. Once you mention this someone or the other will explain inaudible harmonic distortion that is introduced. Why is it difficult to understand that some headphones actually need more power to shine than what the hugo can provide? It's like you can't even have your opinions based on your own listening without someone trying to prove you wrong and tell you that the whole idea of more power is a fallacy. 
 
Is the Hugo a very clean sounding device sufficient for many headphones? Yes. Can better sound be had on some headphones by introducing an external amplifier with the Hugo? Yes.

Click to expand...

I used the Schiit Mjolnir with the LCD-X.  

Hugo couldn't even get near the same neighborhood.  

I also paired the X with the Hugo + Mass Kobo 404.    Not good.

I've been there @Jozurr  --  it's almost as if there's a certain taboo in mentioning anything bad about these pairings.

I've heard better -- whilst that may be subjective, the criteria aren't.  Clarity, instrument separation, bass tightness, sub-bass reach, they're all leagues ahead of what the Hugo alone can push out.

Then again, I got lynched by Headfi engineers and scientists when I said that there are better usb cables...  

Click to expand...

 
You guys are simply bad at reading and comprehending. Yes, some amps will create better synergy when it comes to tonality than the Hugo alone. But it doesn't have to do with lack of power from the Hugo (that's simply an unfounded wisdom), but with lack of synergy. And the better synergy is produced mainly by adding harmonic distortion, which additionally creates higher forgivingness.
 
Now the alternative route – my proposal for the open-minded – would be to use the uncastrated purity from the Hugo's headphone output and create the desired sonic synergy by careful, targeted equalizing. Two birds with one stone. Perfect signal purity thanks to simple signal path and perfect tonal balance instead of factury-preset arbitrary component synergy. You'd be surprised. But only if you try – instead of spreading your displeasure about alternative approaches.
 
BTW, do you think Rob Watts doesn't know what he's talking about?

ba_d_r said:

Thanx, Any suggestions? or I can use mojo as a dac and find a good amp

Oh, so Hugo even as a dac didn't match with LCD-X or it was the Mass Kobo 404 that didn't match?

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What kind of sound are you looking for? XC with Hugo - the treble is really harsh and hurts my ears. Try Hifiman HM901s on balanced.

I've tried Mass Kobo 404 first batch & second batch. They sound different because Masuda-san run out of component used for the first batch. I think they generally pair well with LCD-X, but it does make LCD-X sound digital and less engaging (think AK240SS). It's not my taste, but a friend of mine likes it. If you like Ocharaku Kaede 2 or Shure KSE1500 sound sig, 404 is a really capable transportable amp.

My Hugo pairs really well with my LCD-XC, so I can't get the point here.

uelong said:

 
With all due respect, if you can't take it, why give it?  Of course some power-hungry phones will need more power to drive them: the noted HE-6  for one.  But, even a rank amateur like meself can understand what some people are saying about an external amp filming over-or colouring the sound of a strait Hugo.
Please, let it rest and enjoy your equipment on your own terms, and the music.

Click to expand...

 
If someone says that they have heard audible distortion when adding an amp to the Hugo, and by adding that amp, the sound quality became worse, that would be their opinion and they would be entitled to it. However to discredit any claims of anyone saying they have heard an improvement by adding an amp to the chain, implying that only harmonic distortion makes a difference to the sound and the power of an amp does not affect the sound of headphones is just simply incorrect. It is based solely on the fact that inaudible harmonic distortion is added to the chain and not taking into account the added benefit of increased power and current. This does NOT mean there is audible colouring added to the sound somehow. It simply means the benefit of adding power to the chain exceeds the inaudible harmonic distortion added. 
 
I do own the Hugo and enjoy it. What I'm against is policing people who don't enjoy every single headphone with the Hugo, which almost seems like a trend here.
 
What I'm simply saying is, the claims of harmonic distortion (questionably inaudible) being added to the chain with an external amp are exaggerated more than they need to be. Does everyone who mentions an amp added to the Hugo improves sound needs to be corrected? Why not let them enjoy the music on their own terms as well.