CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[doraymon]

Thank you Ray for the recommendation. I have not put Hugo2 as I have not heard as many rave reviews as much Dave had. But sure will consider to include both on your list.

You haven't heard much on Hugo2 because it's predecessor Hugo (The Great) was the one initiating the revolution but Higo2 is in any way a better product.
I never heard Yggy so I can't tell, but I owe/owned Mojo, Hugo, Hugo 2, Spring KTE L3 and now Dave.
If you can afford the investment Dave is a stratosferic performer and worth the money for the emotional satisfaction its music will give you.
If you can't afford the Dave than the Spring KTE L3 would my next choice. It's extremely revealing and delivers a very realistic holographic sound for the money. A fantastic DAC, really.
Hugo2 and Yggy probably have a better residual value on the pre owned market, if that is of any importance to you.

 

[yakaway]

So unfortunately, the alienware laptop does not have optical out. That would be a great option. It is a windows 7 machine and as far as I can tell, there are no windows 7 drivers on the chord electronics site?

Windows 10 seems to be the only option I could find.

Has anyone else experienced issues specifically with tidal? I was reading that there is an issue with UMG watermark tracks on tidal? Not sure if this relates to the distortion I'm hearing when streaming music to my stereo via Dave in DAC mode.

Does your laptop have an optical output? If so, then DAVE comes with an optical cable and this will make a good comparison.

Make sure you set Tidal to Exclusive mode as well as with HiFi sound quality. There is a cog next to the Digital Output (Chord Async ...) entry in the Settings for Streaming. Click on the cog and turn on all three settings (Exclusive, Force volume and Pass Through MQA). Tidal doesn't give me any hint of noises that shouldn't be there.

Also, make sure you have installed the Windows driver that matches your version of Windows from the Chord website.

The latest update of Windows 10 apparently is able to drive Chord DACs (newer than Hugo TT) even though the driver hasn't been installed. I don't think many people have tried this (I haven't).

Now playing: Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith - An Intention

I'll try from a windows 10 enabled computer when time permits.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[flyte3333]

Just to add to my TOSlink story (see previous few pages) - I can now personnaly confirm the Bluesound Node 2 works without drama at 24/192 (as a couple others have mentioned too).

The BluOS remote control app supports Tidal and Qobuz and Deezer and functions as a Roon Ready endpoint - a very versatile device indeed.

It looks like it may even get the Airplay 2 update when that's released later this year.

The Node 2's sound quality is really good with Dave...

So Oppo players and Bluesound Node 2 are two TOSlink 24/192kHz sources that work fine with Dave's stock TOSlink cable - no hacking at the optical cable's connector required.

My Pi2Design 502 works nicely too, if you're comfortable with DIY hardware and software.

 

[music4joy]

You haven't heard much on Hugo2 because it's predecessor Hugo (The Great) was the one initiating the revolution but Higo2 is in any way a better product.

That is precisely my point when we open the can there will be many, so I have limited my choices just to 2, what I heard the best so far based on most reviews. And this was the thread I have come across that talks about both in my consideration, of course a bit outdated

If I have to choose a DAC from Chord obviously my first pick will be Dave so Hugo is not in the top list unless I am constrained. Regarding Spring KTE L3 they are currently closed for new sales, also it will likely be next after the top 2. This is not to offend anyone but like I said there are plenty and I have to first find the top 2 in my list not the options to open for the others.

 

[minibox]

So I got a DAVE for an in home trial from my local dealer and I can see why people love it with a Utopia pairing as the clarity and power/dynamism is really like being at the live event. I can picture in my mind clearly the emotion in the artist's voice. My question is for a budget option would you guys say the Hugo 2 is a worthy brother to the DAVE for almost 1/5 of the price? I plan on setting up a new two channel system w/ Omega Alnicio speakers w/ a Vidar monoblock.

I personally did not enjoy the DAVE w/ the Auteur - the Auteur gets too dynamic/bright and takes away the neutral laid back nature of it in favor of an aggressive sound albeit very realistic. I prefer this to be euphonic (Hugo 1/Hugo TT?)

I own a Hugo 2 and dave. I have my blu2 hooked up with the dave. Hugo 2 paired with blu2 is better than Dave alone imho. Chances are that chord will be releasing a standalone mscaler that will in all likelihood be cheaper than blu2. You could wait until the Munich announcement, then make a decision. Might save you some pennies.

 

[hikaru12]

I own a Hugo 2 and dave. I have my blu2 hooked up with the dave. Hugo 2 paired with blu2 is better than Dave alone imho. Chances are that chord will be releasing a standalone mscaler that will in all likelihood be cheaper than blu2. You could wait until the Munich announcement, then make a decision. Might save you some pennies.

Thanks for your impressions, since there might be some new products being released I'll hold out for now.

 

[elviscaprice]

The m scaler will be a far larger driver of sales for all Chord capable DAC's, if priced reasonable. The potential of this upgrade will be huge. Distancing Chord from the competition, like a gap in a canyon.

As far as Davina, an ADC. Yeah, new nich market for chord, professional studios. Why would you use an ADC in a speaker? I get the DAC/amp being built into the speaker/digital only or bypass allowing analog thru?
Fact is, most companies don't want to spend the money on building and development of ADC's because of it's small market size potential.

 

[elviscaprice]

If you can't afford the Dave than the Spring KTE L3 would my next choice. It's extremely revealing and delivers a very realistic holographic sound for the money. A fantastic DAC, really.
Hugo2 and Yggy probably have a better residual value on the pre owned market, if that is of any importance to you.

Your missing the main point here. You can't directly drive efficient speakers with those other non Chord DAC's. A huge disadvantage, in terms of resolution, if you ask me and one of the main reasons I remain in the Chord family.
Thus actually the price of the Hugo 2 or even DAVE is not so bad when you factor in your getting 3 or 4 in 1. DAC/Pre-amp/Amp/headphone amp
When all this is taken into consideration it's no contest, Chord all the way.
Now throw in the m-scaler for upgrade, over the top, see ya.

 

[doraymon]

Your missing the main point here. You can't directly drive efficient speakers with those other non Chord DAC's. A huge disadvantage, in terms of resolution, if you ask me and one of the main reasons I remain in the Chord family.
Thus actually the price of the Hugo 2 or even DAVE is not so bad when you factor in your getting 3 or 4 in 1. DAC/Pre-amp/Amp/headphone amp
When all this is taken into consideration it's no contest, Chord all the way.
Now throw in the m-scaler for upgrade, over the top, see ya.

I missed the point of the additional benefits of a headphone amp, preamp? Yes, I'll give you that.
Is that the main point? Not for me.
With Hugo and Hugo2 I did prefer the sound with the addition of a good headphone amp. I know many will disagree but that's my taste...
With Dave is a different story altogether, the drop of transparency using an amp is huge. It took me 24 hours after receiving Dave to pack my amp and put it for sale(you can check in the for sale section).
Driving speakers for me it's not a necessity.
I just gave the guy my own preference not the absolute truth.
Isn't it all we can do?

 

[flyte3333]

Why would you use an ADC in a speaker?

Just have a look at active speakers out there at the moment. Most have analogue inputs.

It won't always be like this of course. At some point the analogue inputs will be dropped.

 

[Jawed]

It is a windows 7 machine and as far as I can tell, there are no windows 7 drivers on the chord electronics site?

Windows 10 seems to be the only option I could find.

Chord has tidied-up the DAVE page.

Luckily, the Mojo page has the Windows 7 driver still:

http://www.chordmojo.com/support/#driver

And this driver is compatible with DAVE, Mojo and later DACs. There are 3 links there, two of them imply they are for February 2018. It sort of implies that the Windows 10 driver (on the right) has also been updated recently.

The link on the left is what you want!

Now playing: Niklas Paschburg - Ulenflucht

 

[Emerald Core]

Hello guys.

1- Has anyone tried Auralic Taurus MkII headamp with Dave? or is Dave good enough alone?
2- Is Focal Clear/LCDX level headphones able to bring the best of Dave? or should i move to Utopia/LCD4 level?

I appreciate owner's opinions.
thanks

 

[x RELIC x]

Hello guys.

1- Has anyone tried Auralic Taurus MkII headamp with Dave? or is Dave good enough alone?
2- Is Focal Clear/LCDX level headphones able to bring the best of Dave? or should i move to Utopia/LCD4 level?

I appreciate owner's opinions.
thanks

1. DAVE alone

2. The better the headphone then the more of DAVE’s capabilities you can appreciate. Get the best you can within your budget for the DAVE.

 

[MacedonianHero]

So I got a DAVE for an in home trial from my local dealer and I can see why people love it with a Utopia pairing as the clarity and power/dynamism is really like being at the live event. I can picture in my mind clearly the emotion in the artist's voice. My question is for a budget option would you guys say the Hugo 2 is a worthy brother to the DAVE for almost 1/5 of the price? I plan on setting up a new two channel system w/ Omega Alnicio speakers w/ a Vidar monoblock.

I personally did not enjoy the DAVE w/ the Auteur - the Auteur gets too dynamic/bright and takes away the neutral laid back nature of it in favor of an aggressive sound albeit very realistic. I prefer this to be euphonic (Hugo 1/Hugo TT?)

I'm lucky to own both and while the DAVE is the absolute best I've heard the Utopias sound, the Hugo 2 does a marvellous job with them as well!!!

 

[marcmccalmont]

Hello guys.

1- Has anyone tried Auralic Taurus MkII headamp with Dave? or is Dave good enough alone?
2- Is Focal Clear/LCDX level headphones able to bring the best of Dave? or should i move to Utopia/LCD4 level?

I appreciate owner's opinions.
thanks

I’m really happy with my Utopias. I had to add my modified Bryston BHA1 to tighten up the bass to my liking
With the Utopias Dave driving them direct sounds like a ported speaker through the BHA1 like a critically damped sealed box speaker (my preference) the Utopias don’t take a lot of power to play loud because they are fairly efficient but they do need a lot of current to control the bass.