CHORD ELECTRONICS DAVE

[EVOLVIST]

The DX outputs will go to my DX input power amps - so these are specially designed digital input power amps that will decode the DX outputs from Dave.

I have started work on the next issue of PCB's for the first power amp.

The benefits of the power amp technology are that they are like Dave's output stage - one single feedback path from digital data to analogue outputs that will drive loudspeakers. The first model will be 20W, then multiple output powers to suit. The key to a single analogue stage is transparency - we only have 4 passive components in the direct signal path, one global feedback loop, and exceptionally low distortion, as the amp structure is a third order analogue noise shaper. The output stage is non-switching so timing recovery is set by the DAC. The early prototypes gave extraordinary depth and detail resolution, due to the simple analogue section.

Rob

This was the post I was looking for.

So, Rob, with the new 20w digital amp, if I'm reading you right, "multiple output powers to suit" means that the amp can drive 4ohm, 6ohm, 8ohm, 16ohm, speakers etc.?

Also, any more bones that you can throw out about the digital amp? It seems about a month ago I read that you had recieved the PCB boards, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Rob Watts]

No I meant that there will be a range of different products with different powers - but Hugo amp will run with 2 ohms and above, and can even be configured as a 70W mono-block. 

 

[EVOLVIST]

No I meant that there will be a range of different products with different powers - but Hugo amp will run with 2 ohms and above, and can even be configured as a 70W mono-block. 

Thank you, Rob. As you can tell I know nothing about amplification, as I've never purchased an amp in my life. I should probably do some reading before I post more ignorant questions.

Still, it seems you posted an interesting tidbit. Thank you. Do you think we'll see the first of this amp series this year?

 

[Rob Watts]

Since there are aspects about this that have never been done before by anybody, I can't give a firm date - it will be finished when its finished - but the prototype design is nearly done now. 

 

[Beolab]

  No I meant that there will be a range of different products with different powers - but Hugo amp will run with 2 ohms and above, and can even be configured as a 70W mono-block. 

Hugo Amp ? So it is made with intention for Hugo, that is cool news if so  

 

[dmance]

 
Hugo Amp ? So it is made with intention for Hugo, that is cool news if so  

​I presume, without DX outputs, the Hugo2 will leverage the USB port to output its up-sampled digital audio to the AMP.  I speculate that the Hugo2 'stack' for desktop use will be three products conjoined by screwthreads and the two USB ports.  [AMP][JOLY][HUGO2].  its unclear if the reported MSCALER for Hugo2 (using the dual COAX inputs via the 3.5mm jack) will be outboard or become part of the stack, somehow.  BTW - I have zero knowledge of any of this ... just trying to read into JF/RW's minds.

 

[JaZZ]

  No I meant that there will be a range of different products with different powers - but Hugo amp will run with 2 ohms and above, and can even be configured as a 70W mono-block. 

 
Why do you call it «Hugo amp»? It was announced to be used with the DAVE exclusively from the start (via the two DX outputs «for a future product»), so what does the Hugo (2) have to do with it? Can the Hugo² feed it as well, exploiting its full potential?
 
And how about the Hugo²'s dual-data mode? What is it intended for?

 

[Rob Watts]

Its the initial code word for the first product - and Hugo because its the smallest one. There will be much more than one.
 
I have said too much already, so I will talk about the amps when I have something more tangible to say!
 
Rob

 

[JaZZ]

  Its the initial code word for the first product - and Hugo because its the smallest one. There will be much more than one.
 
I have said too much already, so I will talk about the amps when I have something more tangible to say!
 
Rob

 
Thanks, Rob. So I'll better leave it at that!

 

[Modwright01]

Something strange happened today.

When I usually listen at -13 to -10 with my LCD 4, today I feel like the chord Dave hp out has less power, which means, I can reach -3 to 0 without problem... What...
 
I use the dave with J river. Tried to switch from USB to optical with the same result... And I plugged it into my HP4 EAR in DAC mode (RCA), and again, I have to turn the tubes amp's knob  more than usual...
 
The Dave seems to have less power than usually...
 
Anyone experienced the same strange problem ?

 

[EVOLVIST]

Something strange happened today.


When I usually listen at -13 to -10 with my LCD 4, today I feel like the chord Dave hp out has less power, which means, I can reach -3 to 0 without problem... What...

I use the dave with J river. Tried to switch from USB to optical with the same result... And I plugged it into my HP4 EAR in DAC mode (RCA), and again, I have to turn the tube ampknob  more than usual...

The Dave seems to have less power than usually...

Anyone experienced the same strange problem ?

Yes, I've been bleating about that since I got my DAVE. For some reason I have to turn up the DAVE's volume to use to what you describe for HP listening. I never came to any sort of conclusion on why that would be unless I'm going deaf all of a sudden, in which case I will sell all of my gear and move into an old folks home.

Connected to speakers, though, in some rigs that I've dropped my DAVE into, the DAVE hangs around the -30db to -20db, depending on amp output.

Go figure.

 

[Mojo ideas]

Its the initial code word for the first product - and Hugo because its the smallest one. There will be much more than one.

I have said too much already, so I will talk about the amps when I have something more tangible to say!

Rob

Or possibly after we launch it!

 

[Modwright01]

Yes, I've been bleating about that since I got my DAVE. For some reason I have to turn up the DAVE's volume to use to what you describe for HP listening. I never came to any sort of conclusion on why that would be unless I'm going deaf all of a sudden, in which case I will sell all of my gear and move into an old folks home.

Connected to speakers, though, in some rigs that I've dropped my DAVE into, the DAVE hangs around the -30db to -20db, depending on amp output.

Go figure.

 
Man, i think I'm gonna send my unit to be checked/repaired, I think something is going seriously wrong with this power issue. Now i just think about the fact that I smelt a strange hot or burning odor exactly when I was listening my HP, I was looking for the origin of that smell, I didn't think about the dave...but I think maybe it is the dave ? a part inside simply burned without any logical reason ? Hard to believe but freaking crazy coincidence.
 
And I noticed that : when the Dave is usually to be kind of hot when I use it, today the temperature stays tepid...
 
Except that loss of power, the dave seems to work perfectly...

Someone has a miracle way to maybe "reset" the unit ?

 

[EVOLVIST]

   
Man, i think I'm gonna send my unit to be checked/repaired, I think something is going seriously wrong with this power issue. Now i just think about the fact that I smelt a strange hot or burning odor exactly when I was listening my HP, I was looking for the origin of that smell, I didn't think about the dave...but I think maybe a part inside simply burned without any logical reason.
 
And I noticed that : when the Dave is usually to be kind of hot when I use it, today the temperature stays tepid...

Except if someone has a miracle way to maybe "reset" the unit ?

 
Yeah, my DAVE has never run hot before, even if I keep it on 24/7 for weeks. But now the temperature is tepid, so maybe now your DAVE is finally "burned in."

 

[Modwright01]

Evolvist, me it is the opposite, my dave used to run HOT when I was using it but now it is and stay tepid, since I had this power loss today.