Tried to buy one iDSD Micro but out of stock here in France.
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iFi iDSD Micro VS Chord HUGO
- Thread starter knorris908
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- ifi-audio-micro-idsd
Dobrescu George
Reviewer: AudiophileHeaven
Okay, this is my first-ever new thread, So I apologize in advance if I missed anything, or did something "wrong", but I searched all of Head-Fi, and I didn't see any posts or threads that directly compared and contrasted the two.
Yes, I fully-realize that the iFi is a $500 piece of kit and the HUGO is a $2500 one. My question is more along the lines of despite the law of diminishing returns, is the HUGO still only 1/5 as good-sounding as the HUGO, or is it closer to 1/2 or maybe even better? And how so? Tighter, more controlled, better balanced, more detailed, etc... Unfortunately, I don't have a Chord HUGO seller anywhere near me that I can do a proper A/B session with my iDSD Micro. And $2500 is a bit steep for MY tastes to invest in a device that I already have sight-unseen/heard. (I'm not THAT far gone into "Audiophiliosis" to make those types of leaps....YET.)
Ideally, I'd love to hear from anyone who has both, but am interested in opinions from all about the SOUND. Not specs, or chipset A should sound better than chipset B. Nothing wrong with that type of analysis. I just hope that you will create a separate thread for that type of debate. I suppose this is the one and only thing in my life that I am absolutely NOT analytical about. To me audio is about the sound and how it makes you feel, and why. So I'd love to hear your takes on them if you've been fortunate enough to hear both...
Thank you for any considerations, and above all;
ENJOY THE MUSIC
Regards and respect,
Ken N.
Hello!
i did a LOT of research on this matter.
there is only one answer, until this point of my re-search. they are different, and very different.
let me put this in sompler words.
the soundwave as it is recorded in computer is made out of step waves. not smooth waves as it is natural. Like the bulky edges you see in some computer games.
ifi idsd reproduces this exactly as it was recorded.
hugo creates new samples by interpolation algorythms, and creates new step in waves, to make them smoother. similar to how anti-aliasing in computer games smooths out bulky edges in games.
the question is how you would like better, exactly as recorded, or with a filter made to make it more analogue applied?..
let me just say this, i personally only listened to hugo until now, and i regret doing so. i wish i had the money to buy it. i don't actually think i have the money to buy idsd either, but i am still ghoing to compare them...
Just received today the iDSD. Hugo is often compared to this device thus I suppose audiophiles find the later overpriced but let's see that it was sold at 10 000 pieces.
knorris908
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Hello!
i did a LOT of research on this matter.
there is only one answer, until this point of my re-search. they are different, and very different.
let me put this in sompler words.
the soundwave as it is recorded in computer is made out of step waves. not smooth waves as it is natural. Like the bulky edges you see in some computer games.
ifi idsd reproduces this exactly as it was recorded.
hugo creates new samples by interpolation algorythms, and creates new step in waves, to make them smoother. similar to how anti-aliasing in computer games smooths out bulky edges in games.
the question is how you would like better, exactly as recorded, or with a filter made to make it more analogue applied?..
let me just say this, i personally only listened to hugo until now, and i regret doing so. i wish i had the money to buy it. i don't actually think i have the money to buy idsd either, but i am still ghoing to compare them...
Interesting take on the differences. Thank you for sharing! I'm very eager to hear your thoughts on the comparison when you are able to do so. I too am not in the market for an almost $2500 portable amp/DAC. I'm pleased as punch that I grabbed my iDSD Micro while they were still under $500 USD, but have to admit, if I heard one today vs. my FIIO e17, I'd be setting aside a little each month to save up for one at the new prices as well! Some have mentioned adding the iCAN to the iDSD Micro chain, so I might take a listen to that combination at some point down the line as well.
Ken N.
jimmypowder
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You know if the Chord Hugo was priced at 1,800 or so ,it would be more tempting.
It is way overpriced in the U.S. and I hear you can get the Hugo in England for about that.
2,500 is ridiculous.
It is way overpriced in the U.S. and I hear you can get the Hugo in England for about that.
2,500 is ridiculous.
Dobrescu George
Reviewer: AudiophileHeaven
You know if the Chord Hugo was priced at 1,800 or so ,it would be more tempting.
It is way overpriced in the U.S. and I hear you can get the Hugo in England for about that.
2,500 is ridiculous.
hugo for 1800?... this would be nice..
jimmypowder
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hugo for 1800?... this would be nice..
[/quote
Well you probably can buy one for that in England depending on currency fluctuation
Dobrescu George
Reviewer: AudiophileHeaven
I had taken a listen to both, and i would simply chose hugo for hassle free listening, or ifi idsd micro, for fun factor. From the two, ifi idsd would live a secondary amp, like fiio e12a.
TheNoose
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TODAY 29/04/15 AMAZON UK SAYS:
£1,400.00
1,400.00 GBP = 2,146.35 USD
British Pound ↔ US Dollar
1 GBP = 1.53311
USD 1 USD = 0.652270 GBP
Chord Electronics Hugo Portable DAC and Amplifier
by CHORD ELECTRONICS£1,400.00
1,400.00 GBP = 2,146.35 USD
British Pound ↔ US Dollar
1 GBP = 1.53311
USD 1 USD = 0.652270 GBP
jimmypowder
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TODAY 29/04/15 AMAZON UK SAYS:
[COLOR=0066C0]Chord Electronics Hugo Portable DAC and Amplifier
[COLOR=555555]by [/COLOR][COLOR=555555]CHORD ELECTRONICS[/COLOR]
[/color]
[COLOR=0066C0][COLOR=B12704]£1,400.00http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/redirect...TF8&qid=1430266805&sr=8-1&keywords=chord+hugo[/COLOR]
[/color]
1,400.00 GBP = 2,146.35 USD
British Pound ↔ US Dollar
1 GBP = 1.53311
USD 1 USD = 0.652270 GBP
400 bucks cheaper then in the u.s . I hear certain shops in the U.K are about 1,800 in U.S. Dollars
sypderman88
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Just share u can get Hugo for Only i sgd1999 in promotion in Singapore arnd usd1.6 j
TheNoose
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Just share u can get Hugo for Only i sgd1999 in promotion in Singapore arnd usd1.6 j
Any promos available on ifi dsd micro's in SG?
jimmypowder
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Any promos available on ifi dsd micro's in SG?
At 499 bucks in the U.S ,there is no dac that can touch it . Awesome dac .
Is 90 percent of the Hugo at 1/4 of the price .
sypderman88
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Nope... Ifi product always fixed price in sg... Problem is the new 2cute will end up more ex than promo Hugo
TheNoose
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Nope... Ifi product always fixed price in sg... Problem is the new 2cute will end up more ex than promo Hugo
Problem for who?
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