Chord Electronics - Hugo 2 - The Official Thread

[pkny]

For those who are interested, below are some chips information for 2Go, 2Yu, and Hugo2 that I found from the Internet:

2Go:
NXP i.MX 7 DUAL (CortexA7x2 1GHz+ Cortex M4x1 200MHz)
NXP PF3000 power management
Kingston 8GB TLC eMMC + 4Gb LPDDR3 (512MB)

2Yu:
XMOS UX216

Hugo2:
ATMEL SAM3U1C ARM USB decoder
Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA XC7A15T 45 DSP Slices

 

[juannycash]

Found a nice little storage case for my Hugo 2. There's not much room for much else but the Hugo 2 is well protected

What case brand and model is this? Thanks!

 

[Droffen]

Using this case for my Hugo 2 / 2go

Amazon Basics Neoprene case

 

[trez0r]

DSD got converted to PCM. See below:

I don't thinks so... Hugo HW is capable to decode DSD streams thru DoP or native DSD (USB). DoP protocol stands for DSD over PCM - encapsulete DSD packet to PCM frame - its like VPN in computer networks - not quite, but similar

 

[pkny]

I don't thinks so... Hugo HW is capable to decode DSD streams thru DoP or native DSD (USB). DoP protocol stands for DSD over PCM - encapsulete DSD packet to PCM frame - its like VPN in computer networks - not quite, but similar

We were not talking about native DSD vs DoP. We were talking about DSD process in Hugo2. Since now you bring DoP in to the discussion, below is the explanation from Rob:

Just to clear things up, as there are two terms for "native" DSD. DoP is native DSD, in that it is a protocol to transmit pure one bit native DSD. Native DSD is just the original DSD data completely unchanged.

But native (no italics on native) DSD transmission is an ASIO USB protocol where the native DSD is transmitted with only the DSD data - no DoP headers, no 0 bit packing. Since only the data is transmitted, it is much more efficient - and it is the only way to transmit DSD512 on USB.

Chord DAC's can receive both protocols: native ASIO for native DSD and DoP for native DSD. To transmit DSD512 you must use the ASIO drivers in native (i.e. not DoP) mode.

Yes I know it is confusing.

Back to the DSD to PCM on Hugo2, Rob specifically said DSD gets filtered to 705.6KHz PCM:

It gets filtered by an improved DSD filter to 705.6 kHz PCM. Then Hugo 2 treats it exactly the same as regular PCM.

I am actually very pleased by the sound of the new filter; but to do this I needed over 200 dB of attenuation, to ensure zero aliasing. I get identical measured performance on the analogue compared to the original DSD64 test tones measured digitally; so performance is totally limited by the DSD itself, not the analogue conversion.

 

[trez0r]

We were not talking about native DSD vs DoP. We were talking about DSD process in Hugo2. Since now you bring DoP in to the discussion, below is the explanation from Rob:

Ok, thats clear for me....

Back to the DSD to PCM on Hugo2, Rob specifically said DSD gets filtered to 705.6KHz PCM:

So, as Rob says... DSD its treat as PCM, not converted. PCM, DSD/DoP is protocol, data is compute by the same filter to generate analog waves. In general, PCM or DSD should sound pretty close.

 

[pkny]

Ok, thats clear for me....

So, as Rob says... DSD its treat as PCM, not converted. PCM, DSD/DoP is protocol, data is compute by the same filter to generate analog waves. In general, PCM or DSD should sound pretty close.

Rob said, "It gets filtered by an improved DSD filter to 705.6 kHz PCM. Then Hugo 2 treats it exactly the same as regular PCM."

"It" was referred to DSD. It means DSD gets filtered by a DSD filter, and then the output from that filter is 705.6 KHz PCM.

The next stage is a 49K taps WTA1 16fs filter. Since the data is already in 16fs, the WTA 1 is bypassed.

The rest of the processings, such as WTA2, crossfeed, volume control, 11th order noise shaper...are the same.

In my opinion, DSD sounds soft and blurry comparing to PCM.

 

[MarkParity]

DSD got converted to PCM. See below:




In my setup, 2Go airplane mode is the best. Wifi hotspot add too much noise, and I can hear those noise with high sensitivity IEMs. I don't have a DAP with toslink to test, but 2Go+2Yu's optical to H2 is better than Hugo2+2Go alone.

Be very careful with that statement. I use Hotspot mode exclusively (2Go/Hugo2) with my Shure SE846 and Westone W80 IEM's which are some of the most sensitive IEM's out there and I notice zero difference in noise with Hotspot on or off, I simply don't hear any. One of two things could be happening:

1. You have a faulty 2Go or Hugo 2.
2. Your 2Go or Hugo 2 is picking up noise from some other source.

A quick poll for anyone who wants to participate, do others notice any noise with sensitive IEM's and their 2Go/Hugo 2 when its in Hotspot mode?

 

[Uberding]

Be very careful with that statement. I use Hotspot mode exclusively (2Go/Hugo2) with my Shure SE846 and Westone W80 IEM's which are some of the most sensitive IEM's out there and I notice zero difference in noise with Hotspot on or off, I simply don't hear any. One of two things could be happening:

1. You have a faulty 2Go or Hugo 2.
2. Your 2Go or Hugo 2 is picking up noise from some other source.

A quick poll for anyone who wants to participate, do others notice any noise with sensitive IEM's and their 2Go/Hugo 2 when its in Hotspot mode?

With U18S after first getting my H2/2Go I noticed, occasionally, faint pops almost like LP noise and sometimes a faint buzz noise fading in and out.
Wrestled with this for days and almost got rid of H2.
Turned out it was because there was a Google Home speaker nearby on the same end table.
Moving that solved the issue.

That said 2Go isn’t nearly as sensitive to interference noise as either my Fiio or Hiby DAPs.
I haven’t noticed any noise from 2Go since that early setup.

 

[juannycash]

Happy Saturday everyone! I’m curious, how many folks here utilize desktop mode exclusively and how do you use your unit? Do you leave it on 24/7 to maintain that 80%, or turn it on and off as necessary? I tried (not fully in desktop mode) to listen while it was charging and the unit got pretty warm, but nothing alarming. Thanks in advance!

 

[pkny]

@MarkParity, that's what Ed from Chord suggested -- tried another 2Go and Hugo2. I did tested on 3 different Hugo2s (2 faulty Hugo2 for other issues. 3rd is a charm), and all of them had the same issue. That was tested in 2021. At that time, my dealer did not have another 2Go for me to test, so I waited until the crazy supply chain things and pandemic to be over. I did not put 2Go testing high up in my to-do list. From my listening tests on Poly and 2Go, airplane mode always provides the cleanest sounds. My music collections are already on the SD cards with associated MPD playlists, and airplane mode does not have the issue. So, I totally forgot the 2Go test. Now, the pandemic is over. I should be able to find another 2Go to test.

Anyway, I did some tests this morning. My 2Go is with 2Yu and connect to Mscaler now. For testing, I connected 2Go2Yu to Hugo2 either in optical or USB. 2Go2Yu was powered by a powerbank, and Hugo2 was powered by its internal battery. Here is my findings:

• Airplane mode does provide cleanest, more refined sound on 2Go same as Poly
• Without playing any music, I can hear 2Go (in hotspot mode) has a static-like noise every 15 seconds when Hugo2 is close to it. The noise always has the same pattern. It sounds like "dede...dedede." In Wifi mode the noise is more random. The noise is still there, even though Hugo2 is in mute. But the noise is gone if I move Hugo2 1 meter away from 2Go2Yu. With optical connection, the noise is a lot less than USB connection.
• I can only hear the noise with AKG N5005, N40, and N25. It does not occur with other IEM or headphones.

My theory is that the cables from those AKG IEMs act as Wifi antenna. Maybe it is an AKG issue.

 

[AnalogEuphoria]

Happy Saturday everyone! I’m curious, how many folks here utilize desktop mode exclusively and how do you use your unit? Do you leave it on 24/7 to maintain that 80%, or turn it on and off as necessary? I tried (not fully in desktop mode) to listen while it was charging and the unit got pretty warm, but nothing alarming. Thanks in advance!

I don’t have a Hugo but I use Mojo2 24/7 in my 2.1 channel system.

 

[ducnsh]

@MarkParity, that's what Ed from Chord suggested -- tried another 2Go and Hugo2. I did tested on 3 different Hugo2s (2 faulty Hugo2 for other issues. 3rd is a charm), and all of them had the same issue. That was tested in 2021. At that time, my dealer did not have another 2Go for me to test, so I waited until the crazy supply chain things and pandemic to be over. I did not put 2Go testing high up in my to-do list. From my listening tests on Poly and 2Go, airplane mode always provides the cleanest sounds. My music collections are already on the SD cards with associated MPD playlists, and airplane mode does not have the issue. So, I totally forgot the 2Go test. Now, the pandemic is over. I should be able to find another 2Go to test.

Anyway, I did some tests this morning. My 2Go is with 2Yu and connect to Mscaler now. For testing, I connected 2Go2Yu to Hugo2 either in optical or USB. 2Go2Yu was powered by a powerbank, and Hugo2 was powered by its internal battery. Here is my findings:

• Airplane mode does provide cleanest, more refined sound on 2Go same as Poly
• Without playing any music, I can hear 2Go (in hotspot mode) has a static-like noise every 15 seconds when Hugo2 is close to it. The noise always has the same pattern. It sounds like "dede...dedede." In Wifi mode the noise is more random. The noise is still there, even though Hugo2 is in mute. But the noise is gone if I move Hugo2 1 meter away from 2Go2Yu. With optical connection, the noise is a lot less than USB connection.
• I can only hear the noise with AKG N5005, N40, and N25. It does not occur with other IEM or headphones.

My theory is that the cables from those AKG IEMs act as Wifi antenna. Maybe it is an AKG issue.

Did you find any special points on AKG cables?

 

[damdl]

Happy Saturday everyone! I’m curious, how many folks here utilize desktop mode exclusively and how do you use your unit? Do you leave it on 24/7 to maintain that 80%, or turn it on and off as necessary? I tried (not fully in desktop mode) to listen while it was charging and the unit got pretty warm, but nothing alarming. Thanks in advance!

I do that with my Hugo 2, other than a tad warmish feel I haven't noticed anything crazy, since the mode was designed for those like me in mind I'd say you should be good. If you feel "battery paranoia" I'd say that you can rest easy, the batteries in Hugo 2 are very reliable from what I've read/heard.

 

[pkny]

Did you find any special points on AKG cables?

I don't know. Maybe the construction and the materials used in those cables combining with the characteristics of those IEMs' drivers make it easier to pick up the 2.4GHz Wifi noise. It is just a wild guess. Otherwise, I cannot explain why my other cheap IEMs that have similar sensitivity do not have that noise.