Hello there, just a quick update on my experience with hugo 2.
Before buying hugo 2 I've already got mojo and audio-gd combo (nfb 1 amp and r2r1 dac) at home.
I really loved audio-gd combo, but it was big heavy and needed like 2 hours (or even more) to warm up before it sounded the best.
For me it was a question is really hugo 2 better than many of these big power hungy boxes ?
So after reading some review on the web/youtbe I’ve decided to give it a try.
Here are some points:
Agd r2r1 nfb1 combo (~1,284$):
- sound is smoother than hugo 2
- instruments separation is worse
- sound signature is darker than hugo 2
- not as detailed (through whole band low,mids,highs) as hugo 2
- highs harsher not so clear and detailed as in hugo 2
- mid/vocals more forward, instruments seem to play more like in the background and vocal is upfront you
- in headphones sound stage seemed a bit just a bit wider than hugo 2, but depth was definitely not as good as on hugo 2, also instruments were not good organized
- on speakers sound stage doesn't exist compared to hugo 2
- transparency not even close to hugo, everything sounded like it was touched with sound signature of agd combo, many recordings sounded similar (dark, muffled etc.)
- although sound was darker it sounded thinner, (yes it's strange) bas was not so impactfull and full bodied as its on hugo
Hugo 2 (~2,600$ - as dac and as headphone amp/preamp)
- sound not as smooth like on r2r but very close
- instruments separation is outstanding, everything has its own place in the space
- much more air/space in sound
- brighter or I would rather say much more natural and transparent than r2r
- more details in sound
- sound stage on headphones maybe a bit narrower than on r2r, but depth is better
- on speakers soundstage just destroys r2r. It’s like 3D, so holographic so deep so wide, just jaw dropping experience, just… no words
- sound is more dynamic , on agd combo it sounded muffled not so dynamic
- sound has more body bass makes bigger impact than r2r
- hugo perfectly shows every recording (and instrument) as it should be, if it’s dark – hugo plays it dark, if bright hugo plays it bright.
TRANSPARENCY !
- maybe that some minor points but still: smaller, lighter, cooler running, bluetooth capable, doesn’t need to be warm up before listening session, battery powered, transportable.
- did I mention
transparency that I’ve never heard before ?
Summing it up:
I was (and still I am) shocked how hugo just destroyed my previous agd combo. In every aspect hugo is better, on some layers it was so much better (like sound stage and transparency) that I couldn't believe I was just smiling to myself while listening. Some points were not so obvious on headphones but after switching to speakers it changed a lot.
I know there is pretty big difference in the price. But I know some people may be thinking about stepping up as I was.
I just wish in the future I’ll be able to afford some other things from chord, like hugo tt2( + m scaler), or even maybe Dave. I’m wondering how much better it can get.
Things to mention:
Headphone chain:
1. R2R1 – ACSS cable – NFB1 – norne zoetic XLR – hifiman he 560
2. Chord hugo 2 (as dac and headphone amp) – default hifiman se cable – hifiman he 560
Speakers chain:
1. R2R1 – ACSS cable – NFB1 – melodika purple rain rca – dartzeel nhb 108 (clone) – chord clearway biwire – b&w dm602 s3
2. Chord hugo 2 (as dac and preamp) - melodika purple rain rca – dartzeel nhb 108 (clone) – chord clearway biwire – b&w dm602 s3