Chord Hugo
Nov 15, 2014 at 9:35 PM Post #8,807 of 15,688
Guys, forgive me for my ignorance (and it's difficult to read back a years' worth of posts), but perhaps a couple of you experts might be able to help me out here.
 
1.) If I use the Hugo as just a desktop headphone amp connected to my PC, pushing my HD800s, will I be getting the most out of the Hugo and my cans?
 
2.) Technical question (and boy, do I really feel like a noob - because I AM!) - So, my PC doesn't handle audio files above 24/96, so in essence is my computer sending larger HD files, raw, to the Hugo and then the Hugo plays this in all its glory...or am I limited to what my PC can do?  And if I'm not limited to my PC, I can't wrap my mind around using a GUI like JRiver, to load my files...oh snap! - JRiver only downsamples DSD files because my current DAC is only 24/96, yes?
 
Nov 15, 2014 at 10:40 PM Post #8,808 of 15,688
Guys, forgive me for my ignorance (and it's difficult to read back a years' worth of posts), but perhaps a couple of you experts might be able to help me out here.

1.) If I use the Hugo as just a desktop headphone amp connected to my PC, pushing my HD800s, will I be getting the most out of the Hugo and my cans?

2.) Technical question (and boy, do I really feel like a noob - because I AM!) - So, my PC doesn't handle audio files above 24/96, so in essence is my computer sending larger HD files, raw, to the Hugo and then the Hugo plays this in all its glory...or am I limited to what my PC can do?  And if I'm not limited to my PC, I can't wrap my mind around using a GUI like JRiver, to load my files...oh snap! - JRiver only downsamples DSD files because my current DAC is only 24/96, yes?


1) The Hd800s sound very good with the Hugo. Is it the very best no but the very best also means you have to plop another few $k on top. Not for everyone

2) The hugo is not limited to 24/96 and can go much higher. The rest is up to your playback software
 
Nov 15, 2014 at 11:07 PM Post #8,809 of 15,688
1) The Hd800s sound very good with the Hugo. Is it the very best no but the very best also means you have to plop another few $k on top. Not for everyone

2) The hugo is not limited to 24/96 and can go much higher. The rest is up to your playback software

 
Thank you for your kind reply.  So that I understand your response to question #2...
 
My PC's soundcard only supports 24/96, yet using JRiver in WASAPI mode, it bypasses my soundcard and feeds right into my current DAC (which only decodes 24/96).  Now, with the Hugo plugged in - and I see you noted "playback software," specifically - then if JRiver handles all of these DSD files, way, way, way beyond 24/96 - and I've bypassed my soundcard as before, then I should be able to take full advantage of the Hugo because my software can handle the files, yes?  Meaning, right now I am limited by my DAC at 24/96, but since my playback software handles pretty much anything, just plugging and playing USB 2 into a Hugo, should net me great results.
 
I don't think I'll be buying any new cans any time soon.  In deciding to purchase the HD800s I chose them over more expensive cans, not because of the price, but because I loved the flat response I got from them.  But that's a whole other topic.  Others will agree or disagree.  I'm just trying to decide if the Hugo is right for me. Listing to music on cans in my parlor (man cave) is a big part of my life, and my current DAC just isn't cutting it.  It's the nearly age old quest: trying to get as close to what the recording artist did in the studio, taking into account (or is that not taking to account?) different mixings, masterings, etc.
 
Thanks much!
 
Nov 15, 2014 at 11:57 PM Post #8,810 of 15,688
If your world revolves around the HD800 and you must have only 1 product, the HUGO will pass.  That being said, if I was singular on the HD800, I might look at the Senn amp/DAC solution or other crazy expensive solutions.  It is no surprise that the HD800, albeit amazing, is very-very source picky.  
 
For me, the HUGO wins not because of what it can do in one scenario but because of what i can do in many.  It is not jack of all trades, master of few.  I would say it is master of many and Jack of few.  the HD800 is one of the few.  
 
I would sooner sell a pair of HD800's than a HUGO.  If your horizon expands beyond your HD800, then you would be wise to look strongly at the HUGO. If not, build your ecosystem around the very competent HD800 and be happy .  
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 1:58 AM Post #8,811 of 15,688
  Does your Hugo rattle if you gentle shake it?


Yes, mine rattle. I think its the battery.
 
 
  If your world revolves around the HD800 and you must have only 1 product, the HUGO will pass.  That being said, if I was singular on the HD800, I might look at the Senn amp/DAC solution or other crazy expensive solutions.  It is no surprise that the HD800, albeit amazing, is very-very source picky.  
 
For me, the HUGO wins not because of what it can do in one scenario but because of what i can do in many.  It is not jack of all trades, master of few.  I would say it is master of many and Jack of few.  the HD800 is one of the few.  
 
I would sooner sell a pair of HD800's than a HUGO.  If your horizon expands beyond your HD800, then you would be wise to look strongly at the HUGO. If not, build your ecosystem around the very competent HD800 and be happy .  

 
I also use Hugo with both HD800 and LCD-3f. It sounds great with both. I've audition several desktop amps and have not found significant improvement in SQ for me to pull the trigger. Still looking nevertheless.
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 2:01 AM Post #8,812 of 15,688
   
I'm beginning to notice a trend of the new "audiophiles" putting much more weight in and desire for extra functionality (amenities), rather than the single-most important factor being sound quality, and sound quality alone.  Not sure if this stems from the Beats domain, or out of ignorance, or if everything just sounds good enough now, so the differentiating factors are now based more in design and the extras? Not sure...
 

 
Take for example ifi Micro.
I had a week with it, playing with 700+ combinations of settings... has "Smart Battery" which I found to be the stupidest invention I've come across.
Some believer even go as far as saying its better than Hugo... Not sure if they're listening or just playing.
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 8:15 AM Post #8,814 of 15,688
 
Quote:
   
Take for example ifi Micro.
I had a week with it, playing with 700+ combinations of settings... has "Smart Battery" which I found to be the stupidest invention I've come across.
Some believer even go as far as saying its better than Hugo... Not sure if they're listening or just playing.

 
Exactly... I feel like people are listening less and instead are being impressed by dazzle, and complicated or unneeded function. 
 
 
  Does your Hugo rattle if you gentle shake it?

 
It might be just the optos blacking plug as my one rattles? but if I take it out there's no rattle.


Stole the words out of my mouth. Take the optical cover out and should be good to go!
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 9:17 AM Post #8,816 of 15,688
Hi
I own a Hugo for ten months by now. At the first day, the USB input broke off the board. I understand there has been a revision in producing the board to more safely secure the USB input connector to board. I love the Hugo so much, I did not send it off for repair as I cannot be without it. I use it with AP2/PP that connects to the Coax. 
I also use it with Bluetooth, to stream audio from the computer and smartphone. However, when playing movies, there is a delay in audio relative to the image. I wonder: is this an inherent limitation? Or, is there a fix to that? It is slightly annoying.
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 11:08 AM Post #8,818 of 15,688
I don't know if there are subtle gain differences at the same volume setting between optical and USB affecting my assessment. 
 
I don't know if I just have an insane amount of interference with my LAN network having impact on my USB.
 
I don't know if the technology in optical has made a sneaky and significant advancement. 
 
But I prefer my MbP TOS out with SN7 to Hugo, over my: Synergistic Research/Nordost Heimdall2/Cardas Clear USB to AP2 + PP to Hugo. It sounds more dynamic, clean, open, and lively - with less distortion.
 
 
I don't know if it's this optical cable specifically. I don't know how it compares to the Sysconcept. But the SN7 is better than the other 3 I have (AQ Cinnamon, Monster, Chord stock). And it's built so extremely well. 
 
 
Quote:
  RE: optical cables.... Where might the Sysconcept fit in with the SN 7 or other optical cables?

 
Nov 16, 2014 at 1:00 PM Post #8,819 of 15,688
  I don't know if there are subtle gain differences at the same volume setting between optical and USB affecting my assessment. 
 
But I prefer my MbP TOS out with SN7 to Hugo, over my: Synergistic Research/Nordost Heimdall2/Cardas Clear USB to AP2 + PP to Hugo. It sounds more dynamic, clean, open, and lively - with less distortion.

I notice gain difference of optical compared to USB.  Don't know what causes it.
 
As for Synergistic Research, there is an interesting read on one of their products that people here may find an interesting read.  Make sure to read further into the product being opened up to find out what is inside.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/741043/some-hot-science-from-synergistic-research
 
Nov 16, 2014 at 1:01 PM Post #8,820 of 15,688
  I don't know if there are subtle gain differences at the same volume setting between optical and USB affecting my assessment. 
 
I don't know if I just have an insane amount of interference with my LAN network having impact on my USB.
 
I don't know if the technology in optical has made a sneaky and significant advancement. 
 
But I prefer my MbP TOS out with SN7 to Hugo, over my: Synergistic Research/Nordost Heimdall2/Cardas Clear USB to AP2 + PP to Hugo. It sounds more dynamic, clean, open, and lively - with less distortion.
 
 
I don't know if it's this optical cable specifically. I don't know how it compares to the Sysconcept. But the SN7 is better than the other 3 I have (AQ Cinnamon, Monster, Chord stock). And it's built so extremely well. 


Thanks.  I'll pick up a Syscon and see.
 

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