Chord Electronics - Hugo 2 - The Official Thread

[Tanalasta]

Actually, volume is variable, no matter what. Holding down X-Fade while powering it onset’s output to some reference level — but it’s not fixed. You thinking it’ll sound better out of RCAs vs either of the two headphone jacks?

I bought the PW Audio Hugo2 RCA -> 4.4mm adapter and also a 3.5mm -> 4.4mm adapter from MusicTeck. Adapters are cheaper and easier than buying new cables/swapping cables around. They arrived today so will find some time to audition them both.

My Sennheiser HD800S and Oriolus Trailli have a 4.4mm termination and I'm trying to standardise to 4.4mm out of convenience.

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't want to find out the hard way and blow my ears (or my IEM drivers) by putting max output through them inadvertently with the RCA adapter as some DAC/Amps run a seperate line out circuit with their RCA outputs.

 

[Dalmonegrig]

Meze empyrean
In terms of timbre accuracy, I liked Meze Empyrean better, they have synergy with Chord Hugo 2. Meze Empyrean, in comparison with Focal Utopia, has a "darkened" delivery, there is pressure and drive. The sound and images are full-bodied, but Meze Empyrean lacks detail. Perhaps the silver cable will slightly correct the situation with the details of the Meze Empyrean.

Perhaps this will help you.

Mac Pro => Roon (TIDAL) + HQPlayerDesktop => Chord Hugo2Go => Lavricables Grand 20 core silver => Meze Empyrean

I will update my previous post.
After operating (warming up) more than 300 hours, Lavricables Grand 20 core silver + Meze Empyrean (using leather ear pads) received a completely different sound of the headphones. Everything aligned and fell into place.
Sound changes with Lavricables Grand 20 core silver versus stock cable.
The tonal balance is even (the feed is neutral), the timbre fidelity is at a high level.
The detail (microdynamics), the space (the stage became wider, more air) improved, the body of the instruments was more contoured, the sub-bass became deeper and clearer, the power (macrodynamics), drive and engagement were preserved.
Everything is harmonious and musical! Major League!
Most likely, for me, this is the final stop.

Perhaps this will help you.

 

[ZekeAdebayo]

Do you guys leave your Hugo 2's on all the time, or turn it off after a while for desktop use & how often?

 

[Tanalasta]

For desktop only use, the TT2 would be the better alternative. The Hugo2 is intended to be portable.

It will be year(s) hopefully before the battery wears as it's not my only DAC. So I turn it off when I'm not using it ; and on average may charge it once a week.

 

[mammal]

Do you guys leave your Hugo 2's on all the time, or turn it off after a while for desktop use & how often?

As long as it stays connected to a wall, after 24 hours it will go into "desktop" mode, but do not unplug the power cable, as it will start the count to 24 hours again. When I finished listening, I used to turn it off, just like I do with all of my headphone gear (especially needed for Class A tube amps, haha).

 

[mammal]

For desktop only use, the TT2 would be the better alternative. The Hugo2 is intended to be portable.

There is significant difference in price, going from Hugo 2 to TT2 though. If you want desktop DAC (without the amp), Qutest would be better option in my opinion.

 

[Tanalasta]

As long as it stays connected to a wall, after 24 hours it will go into "desktop" mode, but do not unplug the power cable, as it will start the count to 24 hours again. When I finished listening, I used to turn it off, just like I do with all of my headphone gear (especially needed for Class A tube amps, haha).

Lithium batteries prefer not to be charged to 100% for long term - Apple battery management now staggers charge to keep a battery at 80% until the last moment. That would be more intelligent than switching off charge at 24 hours at 100% which isn't the best option for battery health. That's why lithium batteries are often stored or shipped at 60-80% charge.

Probably safer to switch off than the vagaries of connected to power supply/spikes/surges/all sorts of badness that can happen.

 

[mammal]

Lithium batteries prefer not to be charged to 100% for long term - Apple battery management now staggers charge to keep a battery at 80% until the last moment. That would be more intelligent than switching off charge at 24 hours at 100% which isn't the best option for battery health. That's why lithium batteries are often stored or shipped at 60-80% charge.

Probably safer to switch off than the vagaries of connected to power supply/spikes/surges/all sorts of badness that can happen.

Yep, and that's why Chord implemented "desktop" mode that Hugo 2 enters after 24 hours, so that it does not keep the charge at 100%.

 

[ZekeAdebayo]

There is significant difference in price, going from Hugo 2 to TT2 though. If you want desktop DAC (without the amp), Qutest would be better option in my opinion.

I agree there, the Hugo 2 was already a bit of a stretch for me in terms of a DAC/Amp at that price point, but I thought it was worth getting for the Stellias and my speakers. The TT2 is currently out of my price range.

 

[ZekeAdebayo]

Well, the Hugo 2 finally arrived. Definitely going to put it through its paces with my Stellia, and KEF LS50's as a DAC (The Rotel RA-1572 is the amp driving the spreakers).

 

[WaveTheory]

Kicking back on the couch right now with Cayin N6ii > Hugo 2 > Audeze LCD 2 prefazor. Sounding mighty fine. I'm pleasantly surprised with how the Hugo 2's amp is handling the LCD-2. I have been primarily using the dac but haven't used the amp much yet and thought this LCD would be a challenging load for it. Nope. Sounding really great.

 

[ZekeAdebayo]

As long as it stays connected to a wall, after 24 hours it will go into "desktop" mode, but do not unplug the power cable, as it will start the count to 24 hours again. When I finished listening, I used to turn it off, just like I do with all of my headphone gear (especially needed for Class A tube amps, haha).

So, switching the Hugo 2 off when not using it is fine, and it will stay in desktop mode? I ask because I know for my Rotel RA-1572 (integrated speaker amp), people generally recommend keeping the gear on partially due to the wear and tear that can come from turning a giving device on or off after a while

 

[GreenBow]

So, switching the Hugo 2 off when not using it is fine, and it will stay in desktop mode? I ask because I know for my Rotel RA-1572 (integrated speaker amp), people generally recommend keeping the gear on partially due to the wear and tear that can come from turning a giving device on or off after a while

Yeah Hugo 2 goes into desktop mode when it's been plugged in for 24 hours. Turning it off does not affect that. Only unplugging Hugo 2 from power, will make it go out of desktop mode.

 

[Mediahound]

So, switching the Hugo 2 off when not using it is fine, and it will stay in desktop mode?

Yes, if it's been plugged in for over 24 hours.

 

[x RELIC x]

Kicking back on the couch right now with Cayin N6ii > Hugo 2 > Audeze LCD 2 prefazor. Sounding mighty fine. I'm pleasantly surprised with how the Hugo 2's amp is handling the LCD-2. I have been primarily using the dac but haven't used the amp much yet and thought this LCD would be a challenging load for it. Nope. Sounding really great.

On the contrary, you’ve always been using the ‘amp’ (more accurately the DAC‘s output stage). You can’t bypass the analogue out from the Hugo2 (or any of Rob’s designs) as it combines the headphone/RCA output with the analogue-out from the DAC.

edit: and I agree, the Hugo2 has plenty of power to drive the LCD-2. I also have the LCD-2 pre-fazor and the Hugo2’s 0.5A Current output is far more than enough for them.