Chord Electronics - Hugo 2 - The Official Thread

[technobear]

Enough of the cable talk please chaps. This thread is about the Hugo 2. There's a whole other section for cable talk.

 

[ChrisGB]

Enough of the cable talk please chaps. This thread is about the Hugo 2. There's a whole other section for cable talk.

Took me ages to delete my reply!

 

[546687]

- You can buy fully annealed silver wire ready made from Jewellers supply, no need to do your own.

Okay. I just remembered I can take it to a machine shop to get it annealed.

Providing heat treating services to machine shops is a core business feature of Metlab Heat Treating. The company has been working with hundreds of shops, both large and small, for many years. Types of heat treating services that are typically requested include:
• Hardening and tempering
• Case hardening (carburizing and hardening)
• Nitriding
• Stress relieving
• Normalizing and annealing

I don't trust myself enough to accomplish this on my own.

If I do go ahead with this in 1-2 years, I'll run by this issue on the Watt's Up thread. I would want to confirm by Rob Watt's that I follow the correct procedures.

Cheers for the input.

 

[546687]

Thanks to whomever started the Tablet Stand idea. Brilliant. With my Hugo2 projects nearing completion, it's time for the final and most important piece.

Your not officially in the Hugo2 big leagues until you have a proper stand.

 

[hsertic]

Is there any practical solution to use coax or optical input on Hugo2 with usb-c source? I would like to use mine with the ipad/macbook, but I am worried about durability of micro-usb connector. Looking for a transportable solution (no large boxes/converters).
Many thanks in advance!

 

[546687]

No, I don't think their is a practical SPDIF solution without an external box / converter. I had my Hugo2 since launch so that's over 5 years now and only unplugged the micro-usb a dozen or so times. I have an Uptone USPCB Adapter that stays put unless I absolutely need to unplug. Same on the micro-usb power connector. I try not to constantly unplug and plug. But I'm mainly glass optical toslink due to it being Chord Reference, sound preference (perfect neutrality) and to save on the wear and tear of the micro-usb.

There is an alternative USB solution if absolutely no external box / converter is the deal breaker and preserve the micro-usb connector. If this was my use case I would use the Uptone USPCB Adapter + USB-C -> USB-A Adapter, then decide on my USB cable. Of course, I would plug a USB optical cable in this mix but you can just use any USB cable until you are ready. When you need to unplug the USB cable, just leave the USPCB connected to the Hugo2 so it's doesn't wear out the port. Respect that you think about the long-term stability of the micro-USB port. Solid 2nd post.

USB optical + Hugo2 internal PLL clock (USB input) > SPDIF (not including SPDIF where you can clock-roll). SPDIF is not practical and SQ benefits only when you use Hi-Fi or State of the Art Oscillators. I would not consider any SPDIF solution unless I can clock-roll. It's just not worth the trouble now that a USB optical solution is available.



USB optical:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=16377

There are frequent sales. Only recently due to supply chain issues the price went from mid-100 to high-100. The cable is pliable so it doesn't bunch up. Easy to use and move around even for short distances.

There's also Mac docks and USB -> SPDIF converters, but again I don't recommend SPDIF unless you can clock-roll (upgrade clocks). USB optical is an option now and it's a much more practical option unless you go crazy eccentric with large boxes:



There's also Thunderbolt (USB-C) optical cables, but I never used and I read the SQ is bad compared to the Monoprice. Ditto with USB-C optical cables. These optical cables I'm only willing to experiment with the Hugo3 with USB-C.

Oh, I believe there's a Mac Mini refresh but I doubt it will have an optical output. Since there is not a DC power input that I can power with Batteries, I excluded the Mac Mini immediately.

I'll write more on my Source Take in another post...

 

[hsertic]

@SimCity Many thanks for the detailed answer. I am getting Hugo2 as transportable solution, mainly to use it around the house (with my Euclid and HD650 for the moment), so I would like a solution that is "gentle" on the Hugo2 and also easily moveable.
I do not know where is the stress point on Hugo2 USB socket - is it a plug/unplug action or is it a cable movement when it is plugged? If the former, it is not a problem for me to keep the micro usb cable constantly connected.
I like the Monoprice usb-optical cable solution, I will probably go that route.
Thanks again!

 

[546687]

@SimCity Many thanks for the detailed answer. I am getting Hugo2 as transportable solution, mainly to use it around the house (with my Euclid and HD650 for the moment), so I would like a solution that is "gentle" on the Hugo2 and also easily moveable.
I do not know where is the stress point on Hugo2 USB socket - is it a plug/unplug action or is it a cable movement when it is plugged? If the former, it is not a problem for me to keep the micro usb cable constantly connected.
I like the Monoprice usb-optical cable solution, I will probably go that route.
Thanks again!

No worries. The USB optical is great if you move around different rooms as it is available in various lengths (33 feet (10M) up to 164 feet (50M)). The old school Chord posters have a DAVE in the main room and a TT2 in the office room, but only one main $40,000 Music Server. So why buy 2 $40,000 Music Servers when the USB optical is all that is needed. These old school Chord posters don't compromise Priority 1: SQ, Priority 2: Practical. They won't even settle on the most power PCs on the market (CPU power needed for real-time audio), they need a Taiko Extreme. It's also easy to roll-up and carry to another place. You may need heat sinks though as it gets warm. I'll try to post photos of my heat sinks.

With this solution, I would concentrate on the Macbook as the main playback source and use the iPhone as a controller-only. For example, you can use the Audirvana Native Core Kernel? I forget the label, but it bypasses the OS kernel? I forget, I haven't used Aurdirvana for a decade. But that should provide optimal SQ on a Mac. I think there is a RAM playback mode too? But the point is focus playback on the Macbook. Install the Audirvana Remote App on iPhone just as the controller. This way you can have the Macbook in the bedroom, run the optical to the balcony with the Hugo2 and listen to the HD650 on the balcony. Just don't trip over the optical cable and fall off the balcony if you do indeed have a balcony.

I'm not sure of your question on the Hugo2 USB socket, but it can be sensitive if an accident is involved. The fit is tight, but I still like to have the USB USPCB as a buffer. Plus it's needed with the USB optical. For SQ, you should get close to perfect neutrality since cooper wires don't compromise the signature. No colouring or artificial preservatives.

10/10 times I would spend a few hundred on a USB optical solution over some USB -> SPDIF converter. I don't like conversions, especially when it's no longer needed with a USB optical option. Plus you are guaranteed to use the Hugo2 PLL clock via USB optical input.

You need this too:

https://uptoneaudio.com/products/uspcb-a-b-adapter

Just a PCB, no cooper wires. Many impressions throughout the net that this is close to perfectly neutral too...

Here's the original post by romaz [Chord Legend] regarding the USB optical cable:

https://whatsbestforum.com/threads/taiko-audio-sgm-extreme-the-crème-de-la-crème.27433/post-631854

My mind is still on SPDIF, but if I remember anything else on USB optical I will post. I'll write a Source Take soon, so maybe my memory will recall something...

EDIT:
2+2=says it decouples because it's optical, but this statement confirms subjectively to that theory:



So some add their favorite cooper wire USB like the Sablon @$700. I wouldn't but its an option if there's a USB cooper wire flavor to your liking. I prefer neutrality so USB PCB only. Maybe the USPCB is not mandatory and you can use any USB cable temp until you are ready to try out the USPCB.

I had the confidence I can return the product anytime within 30 days if needed (YMMV):

 

[546687]

Source Take (Final Notes):

(reserved)

I'll try to give my take on Source pairings with the Hugo2 when I find the energy. I hope I don't burn out soon, but I'm on a high with State of the Art Oscillators.

BRB

This is why I weigh either going USB optical versus SPDIF depending on the quality of the clock. At a certain point, it may make sense just to go USB optical.

 

[Daniel Johnston]

@SimCity Many thanks for the detailed answer. I am getting Hugo2 as transportable solution, mainly to use it around the house (with my Euclid and HD650 for the moment), so I would like a solution that is "gentle" on the Hugo2 and also easily moveable.
I do not know where is the stress point on Hugo2 USB socket - is it a plug/unplug action or is it a cable movement when it is plugged? If the former, it is not a problem for me to keep the micro usb cable constantly connected.
I like the Monoprice usb-optical cable solution, I will probably go that route.
Thanks again!

Maybe consider a 2go? As an early adopter and now daily user, Chord did a nice job fixing up the issues.

Complete wireless solution and no stress on the microUSB on the Hugo 2.

Since both units have a desktop mode, you don't need to worry much about battery health/swelling.

That being said, I've had chord products for several years and have no issues with the microUSB connection.

 

[ChrisGB]

Maybe consider a 2go? As an early adopter and now daily user, Chord did a nice job fixing up the issues.

Complete wireless solution and no stress on the microUSB on the Hugo 2.

Since both units have a desktop mode, you don't need to worry much about battery health/swelling.

That being said, I've had chord products for several years and have no issues with the microUSB connection.

I went with the 2go for convenience, having auditioned the Hugo 2 feeding it data from various USB sources. My first impression is that with 2go attached, there is greater resolution than from any of the USB sources I tried. Having the single block and smartphone control removes any worry about cables and connectors.

 

[Kentajalli]

I went with the 2go for convenience, having auditioned the Hugo 2 feeding it data from various USB sources. My first impression is that with 2go attached, there is greater resolution than from any of the USB sources I tried. Having the single block and smartphone control removes any worry about cables and connectors.

How much is a 2go?
with my budget , a USB cable is a good bargain, it removes any worry about my bank balance!

 

[ChrisGB]

How much is a 2go?
with my budget , a USB cable is a good bargain, it removes any worry about my bank balance!

It's a lot of money! I'd been using a DAP prior to getting the Mojo 2, which didn't quite meet my needs. An ifi xdsd gryphon was also under consideration, but it's a product that was not without it's own issues. The Hugo 2 stretched the idea of a two box solution for my use and need for portability, so 2go seemed the best solution. I'm quite surprised by the extra performance the 2go seems to add. I think I could have happily lived with the Hugo 2 with a laptop / workstation / DAP / phone providing the data. But the one block solution is good value if you count the sonic improvements into the equation. I've got to keep telling myself this as my original plan was to spend not more than £600, but mission creep set in

 

[Kentajalli]

It's a lot of money! I'd been using a DAP prior to getting the Mojo 2, which didn't quite meet my needs. An ifi xdsd gryphon was also under consideration, but it's a product that was not without it's own issues. The Hugo 2 stretched the idea of a two box solution for my use and need for portability, so 2go seemed the best solution. I'm quite surprised by the extra performance the 2go seems to add. I think I could have happily lived with the Hugo 2 with a laptop / workstation / DAP / phone providing the data. But the one block solution is good value if you count the sonic improvements into the equation. I've got to keep telling myself this as my original plan was to spend not more than £600, but mission creep set in

I am not arguing that 2go is not good, doesn't do a wonderful job.
Its just how much I got to pay for that convenience!
If you got the money, good on you.
My DIY USB cable, is thin, flexible and about a meter long, hardly a bother.
I am listening to Hilary Hahn, with my Hugo2 as I tap away this reply on my Chinese phone - no bother.
Remember, there is always a cable from DAC to our ears! if you truly want convenience, then those apple Bluetooth sticks in your ears are the way to go, but convenience isn't everything, is it?

 

[Kentajalli]