[rkt31]

Including the manufacturer of the product in question itself......

Because they have provided headphone out which in fact is same as RCA out. If they have given headphone out they are not wrong in saying it that it is a headphone amp too.

 

[118900]

Because they have provided headphone out which in fact is same as RCA out. If they have given headphone out they are not wrong in saying it that it is a headphone amp too.

And with that you have answered your own original question and you now know why people refer to it as headphone amp. Total win

 

[rkt31]

And with that you have answered your own original question and you now know why people refer to it as headphone amp. Total win

Atleast now you know that there is no seperate headphone amplifier stage in Hugo 2.

 

[118900]

Atleast now you know that there is no seperate headphone amplifier stage in Hugo 2.

I know exactly what U mean and you are of course correct. I was just being facetious but I didn’t want to offend, therefore I apologise unreservedly.

What I originally meant was that unlike a straight DAC the hugo2 has variable output and can be used as is without the requirements of a separate box (unlike, say, the qutest).

I fully appreciate what you say about it not having the required gain circuitry etc to be classified as having an additional amp and therefore as my comment without the relative context is actually misleading I will remove it to avoid any further confusion.

 

[JaZZ]

Just to add my two cents: In the true sense of the term the Hugo₂ actually does have an amp – a single class A line output stage with extremely low output impedance and enough power to drive headphones. But it still lacks an additional headphone amplifier, so it's a more direct signal path than with conventional DACs with headphone outputs.

Now there are people who use a «better» amp with the Hugo₂. Ignoring that you can't bypass the «worse» internal amp, just complicate the signal path. Now some people like the added harmonic distortion (© Rob Watts) and mix them up with better dynamics and larger soundstage. Which leads them to the notion that the Hugo₂ be an excellent DAC with a mediocre headphone amp.

 

[MikeRight]

After reading the new Audeze releases now I know why 2Go is delayed...

They were waiting for the Audeze LCD-24 to launch the Chord 24Go...
... and of course the 2Go, the XGo, the MX4Go, the 4Go, the 4ZGo and so on...

Just kidding... sorry for the off topic

 

[118900]

Just to add my two cents: In the true sense of the term the Hugo₂ actually does have an amp – a single class A line output stage with extremely low output impedance and enough power to drive headphones. But it still lacks an additional headphone amplifier, so it's a more direct signal path than with conventional DACs with headphone outputs.

Now there are people who use a «better» amp with the Hugo₂. Ignoring that you can't bypass the «worse» internal amp, just complicate the signal path. Now some people like the added harmonic distortion (© Rob Watts) and mix them up with better dynamics and larger soundstage. Which leads them to the notion that the Hugo₂ be an excellent DAC with a mediocre headphone amp.

Does selecting the 3v line out make any difference?

 

[JaZZ]

Does selecting the 3v line out make any difference?

No, that's just a volume preset.

 

[miketlse]

Does selecting the 3v line out make any difference?

Not to the circuit/components used.
Line-out just selects the preset 3v, and then 4 clicks down is approx 2v, and 10 clicks down is approx 1v.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-790#post-14135714

 

[118900]

Not to the circuit/components used.
Line-out just selects the preset 3v, and then 4 clicks down is approx 2v, and 10 clicks down is approx 1v.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...official-thread.831345/page-790#post-14135714

Clear Cheers. Just from memory isn’t standard line out 2v or is my memory failing?

 

[JaZZ]

That's correct. For some reason Chord Electronics deviate from this quasi-norm. It doesn't hurt as long as the input of the target device can handle the higher currents during signal peaks.

 

[118900]

That's correct. For some reason Chord Electronics deviate from this quasi-norm. It doesn't hurt as long as the input of the target device can handle the higher currents during signal peaks.

Ok good to know thanks

 

[Hooster]

Clear Cheers. Just from memory isn’t standard line out 2v or is my memory failing?

2V is about right. Some manufacturers may go higher to make their equipment louder and sound superficially "better" when directly compared to equipment that has a lower output voltage.

 

[rkt31]

Chord dacs have much higher output without clipping. It is even more than 3v. 3v or 2v you get after digital attenuation. Higher the output , lower the gain your power amp need. Some power amps allow higher input sensitivity which can use this higher output of chord DACs. That is a win win situation because you don't require much attenuation in dac and also lower gain in power amp if supported by the amp

 

[Hooster]

Chord dacs have much higher output without clipping. It is even more than 3v. 3v or 2v you get after digital attenuation. Higher the output , lower the gain your power amp need. Some power amps allow higher input sensitivity which can use this higher output of chord DACs. That is a win win situation because you don't require much attenuation in dac and also lower gain in power amp if supported by the amp

Whether this is a win win or not is debatable. You may end up with what is known as gain poisoning and need something like this: http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/attenuators.html

My system sure needs it, otherwise it is just loud and way too loud with very little usable travel in the volume control.