Chord Electronics - Hugo 2 - The Official Thread

[musicday]

I have a silly question, is it $1,895 per speaker or for the set? Also do you think you can record your setup playing some tracks? I'm really curious to hear how it sounds (Yes I know the A/D converter in your phone or camera will mess up the sound to an extent but it still still give me a good idea of how it sounds

The price of Omega is per set ( 2 speakers ).
Why not giving me your number to send you a Wassapp audio recording of how they actually sound? That will give you an idea of the sound signature.

 

[maxh22]

The price of Omega is per set ( 2 speakers ).
Why not giving me your number to send you a Wassapp audio recording of how they actually sound? That will give you an idea of the sound signature.

Inboxed.

 

[Deftone]

Interesting to read people’s reviews on chord DACs from other forums on the internet, pretty much going against the grain and saying all the opposites of Robs claimed benifits of his FPGA DACs.

When compared Hugo/Mojo to other standard chip DACs they say things such as, slow, congested, compressed, “digital”, boring, poor soundstage, dull, lacking micro detail and lacking dynamics.

 

[514077]

Interesting to read people’s reviews on chord DACs from other forums on the internet, pretty much going against the grain and saying all the opposites of Robs claimed benifits of his FPGA DACs.

When compared Hugo/Mojo to other standard chip DACs they say things such as, slow, congested, compressed, “digital”, boring, poor soundstage, dull, lacking micro detail and lacking dynamics.

Those criticisms aren't what I hear. Strange.

 

[Currawong]

Depends on who. We can dismiss people who said about the original Hugo that it was "good for a USB powered DAC" *cough*. I found the Hugo 2 could be made to sound less than great, or even bad with a poor optical cable or noisy USB, so it would be worth noting what their preferences and set-up are. If they champion vinyl and old R2R DACs, especially NOS models, then that's another possible factor. If you put a Hugo 2 into a system synergised with those kinds of things, then the difference would probably lead to those impressions.

 

[doraymon]

I have 2 little daughters so almost no time during the day

Dude I hear you! Two little boys here and same (not) sleeping patterns...

 

[Chikolad]

To be honest I never understood that argument, as I don’t need “break in” hearing live voices or live unamplified music. For me hearing the original Hugo and the new Hugo 2 requires less “strain on the brain” than previous DACs so my brain did not need any break in. Yes it is very different with more transparency, detail and more musicality, but to me was pure immediate musical enjoyment!

Don't get me wrong, the H2 sounded amazing right out of the box. It's a couple of days later when suddenly it didn't sound as good, but I really just think it's me who's fatigued. BTW I had a pretty good sleep tonight after turning in early and now it's already sounding better!
But as good as the H2 might be, it's still not live music, but digital music reproduced artificially. So IMO the brain does need to adjust to it. When switching headphones with different sound sigs it's much clearer that the brain adjusts. Why should it be different for a DAC/amp?

 

[Chikolad]

There is general consensus that the Schiit Yggdrasil DAC, based on the military grade Analog Devices AD5791,does require the chip to be 'hot'. Meaning the processing in the chip (a kind of R2R) delivers its specified D/A performance only after several days of being left powered on. Then when powered down - the chip does not maintain any benefit and will subsequently have to be left on again. Hence users claim better sound if its just left on all the time.
I know the Hugo2 is not like this (my understanding and Rob Watts comments) but I think too many people have noted differences for it to be purely imaginary.

Man, I'm glad the H2 doesn't have this behavior. Why should I have to wait a few hours (let alone days) to get the best possible sound out of it?
I'm honestly quite shocked that I now have a DAC that many people think is on par with the Yggdrasil. The Yggdrasil used to be something I would drool over and dream of having but never could justify getting. Then last year I got a Mojo which blew my mind and eventually led me to getting the H2 now. Chord what have you done to me?!

 

[Chikolad]

Dude I hear you! Two little boys here and same (not) sleeping patterns...

Sometimes daddy wants to play with this new toys too!

 

[Swiftfalcon]

Spend few days with the Hugo 2 and a Aeon Flow Open but it just sounded awful much preferred my ADI-2 Pro with it’s slightly more relaxed sound, on my Focal Clear however it’s another story entirely, seems it doesn’t suite every kind of headphone.

Yeah its weird...I prefer mojo for hifiman he 400i but for the senn hd 800s its hugo 2 all the way.

 

[OK-Guy]

Interesting to read people’s reviews on chord DACs from other forums on the internet, pretty much going against the grain and saying all the opposites of Robs claimed benifits of his FPGA DACs.

When compared Hugo/Mojo to other standard chip DACs they say things such as, slow, congested, compressed, “digital”, boring, poor soundstage, dull, lacking micro detail and lacking dynamics.

that old saying 'one man's meat is another man's poison' comes to mind, especially if you're a vegan.

in other news, anyone been to the Bristol HiFI Show this weekend?

 

[musickid]

certain strange websites come to mind too.....supa....

 

[Chikolad]

What would you say is the best version of this album?

I found the culprit!
The DSD version I had was the 2013 SHM-SACD.
I tried the 2003 SACD version now and the EQ on the HH is much better, and it's also a more dynamic mastering. The US A&M CD is also better than the SHM, but I think the 2003 SACD tops it.
So I'm guessing you have the 2003 one. Anyway stay away from the SHM-SACD!

 

[RobinTim]

Man, I'm glad the H2 doesn't have this behavior. Why should I have to wait a few hours (let alone days) to get the best possible sound out of it?
I'm honestly quite shocked that I now have a DAC that many people think is on par with the Yggdrasil. The Yggdrasil used to be something I would drool over and dream of having but never could justify getting. Then last year I got a Mojo which blew my mind and eventually led me to getting the H2 now. Chord what have you done to me?!

Exactly the same happened to me as well. Mojo with a pair HD650s was the entry level drug...

 

[musickid]

and now i'm aiming for blu2 for september. h2 arriving in april now. till then mojo/pm1/roon. if i can swing it..... maybe there should be some kind of warning statement in bold red ink on the boxes containing new chord gear.

"by opening this box we guarantee to enhance your deep appreciation of the world of music that is out there. however the inevitable dac /m scaler upgrade route will have you making up all kinds of weird and whacky stories in an attempt to justify the cost to your nearest and dearest"