[Neo Zuko]

I suggest you check out the new Benchmark DAC3. I don't believe you are going to get any significant improvement over this unit by spending thousands more. Check the Head-Fi link for some informed information on this DAC.
OK if you want/are able to spend $13000+ then good for you.
For portable use the Mojo with Poly seems ideal. I will be able to dump my DAP when I get Poly to partner Mojo and will also have a streaming unit Roon Ready if so inclined.

Yes, the $2000-ish Benchmark DAC3 is popular, however I'd gravitate to a Mytek Brooklyn in that price range and form factor, from what I've read.

You might be right on the Mojo plus Poly. It's a cool combo. I just need to buy something and give it a shot. Go from there. I could be happy with a Brooklyn and Mojo + Poly. In that case, I would kinda still want a Hugo 2 for laptop use though, in addition.

 

[Zojokkeli]

Yes, the $2000-ish Benchmark DAC3 is popular, however I'd gravitate to a Mytek Brooklyn in that price range and form factor, from what I've read.

You might be right on the Mojo plus Poly. It's a cool combo. I just need to buy something and give it a shot. Go from there. I could be happy with a Brooklyn and Mojo + Poly. In that case, I would kinda still want a Hugo 2 for laptop use though, in addition.

 
Why not consider Schiit Yggdrasil for the rack and Hugo 2/Mojo for portable needs?
 
 
FWIW, I'm using Mojo as my desktop DAC now and for the near future. I think I'll grab an other set of high-end headphones first, and then begin eyeing for Hugo 2.

 

[Neo Zuko]

Why not consider Schiit Yggdrasil for the rack and Hugo 2/Mojo for portable needs?


FWIW, I'm using Mojo as my desktop DAC now and for the near future. I think I'll grab an other set of high-end headphones first, and then begin eyeing for Hugo 2.

I've been turned off of Schiit Audio lately. No one reason, their products seem nice, just perhaps not what I'm after in the fine details.

I should mention I'm planning a Pass Labs HPA-1 Headphone Amp / Preamp, a set of Pass Labs XA60.8 monoblock poweramps, and Focal Sopra N2 Speakers. I just need a DAC for that planned setup.

Right now, some combo of AK380 / Hugo 2 / Mojo + Poly has my portable needs locked down.

 

[tunes]

My preference is a QP1R direct for portable with IEM, using it via optical to HUGO2 for transportability on vacations and around the house with HEK2. Saving for DAVE as you always need something to dream about. But even if you could afford it, need to really feel the money spent is worth that small incremental improvement in SQ. So will likely get HUGO2 and then decide next year about DAVE after AB listening at various venues.

 

[Christer]

when you were listening to your music on the Dave how did it sound to you?

As close to mic feed as I have ever heard from  any dac other than  from masterfile playback at  recording sessions using HEK V1.
HUGO is clearly not quite in the same category even with the HEK V2. I am talking  of differences  that you will  hear  most  clearly with acoustic music recorded in a real acoustic venue.

 

[Neo Zuko]

My preference is a QP1R direct for portable with IEM, using it via optical to HUGO2 for transportability on vacations and around the house with HEK2. Saving for DAVE as you always need something to dream about. But even if you could afford it, need to really feel the money spent is worth that small incremental improvement in SQ. So will likely get HUGO2 and then decide next year about DAVE after AB listening at various venues.

You are right about dreaming, I'll never buy a Dave, I'd spend that money elsewhere. But perhaps Hugo TT 2 is in my future.

 

[musickid]

To simplify matters identify the one most important parameter you are striving for. sound vs functionality vs etc. as a sole agent with relatively little tech no how i came to the conclusion that there is no better sounding dac under 2K than the hugo range. as with mojo owners we put up without having the full blown rack comforts and digital readouts in exchange for sound quality. we then manipulate our use of the device accordingly. could it really be true that apart from the dave no other dac at any price doesn't perform or measure like the hugo2? i'm laying my cards on the table because i did hear something in the hugo that i didn't hear in the others. its not rocket science its a combination of proprietary chord in house fpga programmed chips alongside an array of pulse dacs till now unequalled by any other off the shelf dac implementation!!

 
on a funny but not funny point not only am i awaiting the end of April with the final payment to be made on the 15th April to my dealer after placing a deposit. I now have another deadline and dilemna. after a bad case of the flu and cold recently i was happy to finally shake it off until i realised something wasn't right. my right ear seemed constantly blocked up and everywhere i went bars at night etc also when talking to people everything seems so distant and echoing. after visiting my doctor he told me due to the bad cold it had caused my eustachian tubes connecting the inner ear and nose to basically clog up and that it could take up to 4 to 6 weeks or so to unblock fully even with antibiotics but isn't too serious and will fix. damn. damn. even tidal sounds quiet now.now.now... of all the most unbelievable things that could happen in the run up to receiving the hugo2....

 

 

[kyle1010]

From past year Canjam....will Chord or any of the vendors/retailers likely have a discount for those purchasing/preordering the Hugo 2 at Canjam?

Yeah last year at CanJam SoCal, Chord gave me a show discount on Mojo of like 10% off I think. I HOPE they do the same this year as I plan on buying Hugo 2 directly from their booth this coming weekend at CanJam SoCal. See you there?

 

[tonyl59]

?...after visiting my doctor he told me due to the bad cold it had caused my eustachian tubes connecting the inner ear and nose to basically clog up and that it could take up to 4 to 6 weeks or so to unblock fully even with antibiotics but isn't too serious and will fix. damn. damn. even tidal sounds quiet now.now.now... of all the most unbelievable things that could happen in the run up to receiving the hugo2....:confused_face(1):  

You have my sympathies! I have suffered with Eustachian tube blockage before. Determined to overcome it somehow and having tried all sorts of methods to clear it I eventually splashed out on a small battery-powered device called Ear Popper. It's not cheap (especially for what it is!) but it has really helped. A quick internet search will find it. I hope it clears in time for Hugo 2.

 

[Hooster]

 
on a funny but not funny point not only am i awaiting the end of April with the final payment to be made on the 15th April to my dealer after placing a deposit. 

 
I would not make my final payment until I actually receive the item, just saying.... 

 

[musickid]

Surely i would secure it and my place in a queue if other customers may have ordered hugo2's too.the dealer wants to know which colour i want to reserve me a unit. plus i have already paid a deposit of 450. the dealer belongs to a very reputable and well known hifi specialist. ive already put the deposit?? can you explain your reasoning Hooster. thanks MK. also thanks tony.

 

[miketlse]

Yeah last year at CanJam SoCal, Chord gave me a show discount on Mojo of like 10% off I think. I HOPE they do the same this year as I plan on buying Hugo 2 directly from their booth this coming weekend at CanJam SoCal. See you there?

It looks like there was a discount at the Milton Keynes meet yesterday, so you may be lucky. http://www.head-fi.org/t/816392/2017-uk-head-fi-meet-april-2nd-milton-keynes/690#post_13394921

 

[TSAVJason]

It looks like there was a discount at the Milton Keynes meet yesterday, so you may be lucky. http://www.head-fi.org/t/816392/2017-uk-head-fi-meet-april-2nd-milton-keynes/690#post_13394921

Hahaha! What happens in France stays in France

 

[miketlse]

Hahaha! What happens in France stays in France

Google Maps is your friend - Milton Keynes is in England!

 

[Hooster]

  Surely i would secure it and my place in a queue if other customers may have ordered hugo2's too.the dealer wants to know which colour i want to reserve me a unit. plus i have already paid a deposit of 450. the dealer belongs to a very reputable and well known hifi specialist. ive already put the deposit?? can you explain your reasoning Hooster. thanks MK. also thanks tony.

 
I would personally just never pay for an item like that until I actually receive it. There are three main reasons for this.
 
1. I would feel bad when I have handed over my money and waiting to receive the item. I would be constantly thinking, is it there yet and it would by a source of stress.
 
2. The dealer may go out of business. If you payed by credit card, the credit card company will probably look after you, but good luck recovering your funds if you payed in cash.
 
3. There is no need to pay until you receive the item. Any reasonable dealer will agree to secure your place in a queue for a down payment and then be payed in full when he hands over the item. There is no downside in this for the dealer.
 
It all really boils down to avoiding the stress of paying for something and then not being sure when you will receive it. Like you said, you already payed the deposit. Just tell your dealer that you will pay the rest when you get the item.