Chord Electronics - Hugo 2 - The Official Thread

[neo171170]

You have the combination and I think you answered it yourself.

not now. The H2 maybe comes end of next week! I've never listened to H1 or H2 before!

 

[Christer]

I don't think we disagree on much. Ideally he could have sold his Hugo six months ago, but the reality is that he is trying to sell his Hugo now.
It is a universal rule of selling, that something is only worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. At present there are several sources of Hugo, and i think that Christer is just facing too much competition at present. It is not the end of the world if he has to use the Hugo for another winter, and sell it for slightly less in six months time.

Not worry chicken curry,
I'll easily survive keeping HUGO a while more and even selling it at a lower price than expected. It is also very good. But not quite as good as a properly isolated desktop DAC like the Benchmark DAC2.
And I will also compare HUGO 2 against other competing portable DACs when I get an opportunity to do so.

 

[tunes]

How can I feed FLAC files stored on a 1 terabyte external USB hardrive to the HUGO2? I have only a MacBook Pro computer and can only play those FLAC files using a program called VOX. I use an Aurender or my QP1R dap at home but will be away on vacation and wanted to try something else using the drive and my laptop.

 

[Rob Watts]

Not worry chicken curry,
I'll easily survive keeping HUGO a while more and even selling it at a lower price than expected. It is also very good. But not quite as good as a properly isolated desktop DAC like the Benchmark DAC2.
And I will also compare HUGO 2 against other competing portable DACs when I get an opportunity to do so.

What makes you think the Benchmark DAC2 is properly isolated?

 

[435279]

How can I feed FLAC files stored on a 1 terabyte external USB hardrive to the HUGO2? I have only a MacBook Pro computer and can only play those FLAC files using a program called VOX. I use an Aurender or my QP1R dap at home but will be away on vacation and wanted to try something else using the drive and my laptop.

Do you mean what other software is available for playing your music?

 

[Christer]

I can't stand binarel recordings, I mean I get it's cool with that mic in the middle with reverb Hall effect but it just sounds weird to me. I have one effect drum based recording but could not listen cohesively to a steady stream of binary.

Hmm?
I guess you are not a frequent visitor to live concerts of acoustic music in real venues?
If the above is how you react to the most realistic way of recording and reproducing acoustic music via headphones?
To my ears although not ideal, the binaural Proms are aurally the closest to actually being in the vast acoustic of the Royal Albert Hall I have ever heard.
And I say that after having been there in that hall more times than I can keep count of.
But we are talking of probably more than a hundred times all in all.
Every summer for over 30 years live.Though not this year.
I don't spend my summers in England any longer.
I don't miss the British weather.
The BBC PROMS in binaural, are unfortunately not even of rbcd quality in terms of bits and sampling rate ,but they still manage to convey the often glorious music and performances in a better more realistic in a "being there" sense and way, than many higher res stereo commercial recordings do.
I started my day after Yoga today, with Handel's Oratorio Israel in Egypt in binaural, part one.PROM 23
And it was just marvellous.
I fear that I will go through serious withdrawal symtoms when the PROMS are over.
Come on Whazzup, if you can "sit through" music like Bach's Solo Cello Suites, I am sure you might even a enjoy a binaural Prom or two?
Cheers Christer

 

[Whazzzup]

How can I feed FLAC files stored on a 1 terabyte external USB hardrive to the HUGO2? I have only a MacBook Pro computer and can only play those FLAC files using a program called VOX. I use an Aurender or my QP1R dap at home but will be away on vacation and wanted to try something else using the drive and my laptop.

roon

 

[Whazzzup]

Hmm?
I guess you are not a frequent visitor to live concerts of acoustic music in real venues?
If the above is how you react to the most realistic way of recording and reproducing acoustic music via headphones?
To my ears although not ideal, the binaural Proms are aurally the closest to actually being in the vast acoustic of the Royal Albert Hall I have ever heard.
And I say that after having been there in that hall more times than I can keep count of.
But we are talking of probably more than a hundred times all in all.
Every summer for over 30 years live.Though not this year.
I don't spend my summers in England any longer.
I don't miss the British weather.
The BBC PROMS in binaural, are unfortunately not even of rbcd quality in terms of bits and sampling rate ,but they still manage to convey the often glorious music and performances in a better more realistic in a "being there" sense and way, than many higher res stereo commercial recordings do.
I started my day after Yoga today, with Handel's Oratorio Israel in Egypt in binaural, part one.PROM 23
And it was just marvellous.
I fear that I will go through serious withdrawal symtoms when the PROMS are over.
Come on Whazzup, if you can "sit through" music like Bach's Solo Cello Suites, I am sure you might even a enjoy a binaural Prom or two?
Cheers Christer

dont assume, its unflattering behaviour. go to 15 concerts at least per year, no way binaural recordings to me sound like that at all. course i wasn't trying to convince anyone, just state my preferences, that mic in the middle sound isn't for me.

 

[Whazzzup]

Im keeping my ch1, not embarrassed by that in the least. If it dies one year it dies, see what release ch is at then.

 

[Christer]

What makes you think the Benchmark DAC2 is properly isolated?

Hello Rob,
Well if not "properly isolated" at least better isolated than HUGO.
I think so ,because unlike with HUGO connected to my system it does not make some recordings and broadcasts thin and wiry the way HUGO has a tendency to do when I least expect it.
HUGO sometimes sounds really great and even more resolved than DAC 2. And sometimes it behaves like it is in a bad mood and becomes harsh and unmusical.
MY HUGO is a bit like a moody girlfriend. I never know which mood HUGO will be waking up in.
"She" behaves nicer the further "she" is from other electrical appliances of any kind.
With DAC 2 I get the same tonal and timbral character with known recordings ,everytime irrespective of where I am, provided I can plug it in.
And with HUGO I can unfortunately easily hear when "she" is being struck by, or hit by, or attacked by RF or EMI or whatever makes HUGO behave so erratically.
Especially with violins, both massed and solo ones I sometimes cringe with HUGO. But rarely with DAC 2.
I sometimes think what happened?Why was that sweet violin suddenly turned into such a harsh wiry,steely thing?
My most recent example was Isabelle Faust's BBC PROMS no 3, Mozart's 3rd Violin Concerto which sounded a bit thin and wiry via HUGO and nice and warm the way I am used to hearing violins both up close and at a distance, both live and via DAC 2.
And I conclude, maybe wrongly? that it most likely has got something to do with the lack of galvanic isolation in HUGO and the inclusion of the very same in DAC 2?
Nor have I heard any similar tendencies during any of my auditions of DAVE as I do too often with my HUGO.
And DAVE is galvanically isolated just like DAC 2 isn't it?
Maybe in a slightly different way. But I again assume "properly isolated." Or will it still benefit from further isolation ?
Cheers Christer, still not having auditioned HUGO 2.
But knowing quite well what DAVE is capable of. And that is my goal. But even more aware of the "ups and downs" of HUGO.

 

[Christer]

Ok

dont assume, its unflattering behaviour. go to 15 concerts at least per year, no way binaural recordings to me sound like that at all. course i wasn't trying to convince anyone, just state my preferences, that mic in the middle sound isn't for me.

Okey dokey,
Each one to his or her own.
Enjoy your HUGO and maybe even a bit of BACH once in a while.
Cheers Christer

 

[MikeRight]

My Hugo2 review has finally been posted for those interested:

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/review/18998/

Congratulations for this amazing review and not only for the descriptive and technical content. It is impressive the number and quality of the headphones you use.

I have a question for you. Maybe it is a silly question but I know that there are several persons with it.

How do you compare the AK240 as a DAC vs Hugo2?

I would like to know your opinion but not pointing on supported files, battery or portability. Just sound quality.

It would be great if other people could compare Hugo2 and the DACs of other DAPs like AK300 or AK380.

Thanks in advance!

 

[JaZZ]

Hi there,
first of all, sorry for my fairly english!
I just ordered the h2 (hope to get it end of next week), to connect it with my ak320 or/and macbook pro (audirvana +). My headphones are the HEK v2 and the AKG K872, I also have a Burson cv 2 amp!
Currently I plug my AK320 via 3,5mm connection into the cinch-entrys of my burson cv2. I'm absolutely happy with this combination, both headphones sound great.
Now I have often read, that the H1 does not have enough power to drive the HEK (v2) adequate. But I also read, that the H2 has more power than its predecessor!
My consideration is to sell the burson cv 2, provided the hugo 2 amp has enough power to drive my HEK v2 as good as the burson do! I mean not only the volume, I think volume
wouldn't be the problem with the H2. I am primarily mean control!!! I also often hear with moderate volume (my wife is a little bit sensitive) and therefore it's important for me, that
the hek v2 yet give me a powerful presentation, like he do, connected to the burson cv 2!

Is there anybody, who has experience with the combo HEK (v2) and H2, who can answer my question?

greetings from germany,

Martin

Hi Martin – welcome to Head-Fi!

Yes, the Hugo₂ drives the HE1000 very, very well. Even compared to the DAVE, it doesn't sacrifice much in terms of authority (so don't let you talk into thinking you can't renounce your Burson), it's a great match to my ears. And the Hugo₂ has more than enough power reserves – it can even drive an HD 800 at the same time.

 

[neo171170]

Hi Martin – welcome to Head-Fi!

Yes, the Hugo₂ drives the HE1000 very, very well. Even compared to the DAVE, it doesn't sacrifice much in terms of authority (so don't let you talk into thinking you can't renounce your Burson), it's a great match to my ears. And the Hugo₂ has more than enough power reserves – it can even drive an HD 800 at the same time.

Hi JaZZ,
thanks a lot for your opinion!, great news for me!

 

[Rob Watts]

What makes you think the Benchmark DAC2 is properly isolated?

Hello Rob,
Well if not "properly isolated" at least better isolated than HUGO.
I think so ,because unlike with HUGO connected to my system it does not make some recordings and broadcasts thin and wiry the way HUGO has a tendency to do when I least expect it.
HUGO sometimes sounds really great and even more resolved than DAC 2. And sometimes it behaves like it is in a bad mood and becomes harsh and unmusical.
MY HUGO is a bit like a moody girlfriend. I never know which mood HUGO will be waking up in.
"She" behaves nicer the further "she" is from other electrical appliances of any kind.
With DAC 2 I get the same tonal and timbral character with known recordings ,everytime irrespective of where I am, provided I can plug it in.
And with HUGO I can unfortunately easily hear when "she" is being struck by, or hit by, or attacked by RF or EMI or whatever makes HUGO behave so erratically.
Especially with violins, both massed and solo ones I sometimes cringe with HUGO. But rarely with DAC 2.
I sometimes think what happened?Why was that sweet violin suddenly turned into such a harsh wiry,steely thing?
My most recent example was Isabelle Faust's BBC PROMS no 3, Mozart's 3rd Violin Concerto which sounded a bit thin and wiry via HUGO and nice and warm the way I am used to hearing violins both up close and at a distance, both live and via DAC 2.
And I conclude, maybe wrongly? that it most likely has got something to do with the lack of galvanic isolation in HUGO and the inclusion of the very same in DAC 2?
Nor have I heard any similar tendencies during any of my auditions of DAVE as I do too often with my HUGO.
And DAVE is galvanically isolated just like DAC 2 isn't it?
Maybe in a slightly different way. But I again assume "properly isolated." Or will it still benefit from further isolation ?
Cheers Christer, still not having auditioned HUGO 2.
But knowing quite well what DAVE is capable of. And that is my goal. But even more aware of the "ups and downs" of HUGO.

But Benchmark's website fails to mention galvanic isolation at all:
https://benchmarkmedia.com/search?q=galvanic+isolation
And I disagree completely about Hugo 1 sounding different; the amazing thing I found about Hugo 1 (and of course replicated on all my DAC's since) is it's consistency, and the ability to draw out musicality even with poorly recorded archive recordings. Indeed, 1960's Decca recordings in some ways sound more real than modern HD recordings, particularly via a Blu 2 Dave.

If you do not appreciate Hugo 1 then you will not like Hugo 2, it's clear that you are after something different.