Chord Hugo - The PORTABLE discussion thread
Jul 21, 2015 at 3:37 PM Post #1,531 of 1,858
  A baby Hugo would be Hugh...

 
or maybe Hughy... you know the saying goes 'cooey Hughy honey child'...
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Jul 22, 2015 at 12:49 AM Post #1,533 of 1,858
Stronger amp? What're you driving? A nuclear power station???
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 8:01 AM Post #1,535 of 1,858
   
 

Aye, that too.  
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I'd love a Hugo II if it should ever come to have stronger amp output

 
This. Have you ever tried beefing up yours? I'm thinking about adding something with a little more grit to the chain. I'm mostly looking for more warmth, lots of power and an adjustable bass boost. If someone has experimented with a Headstage Arrow, a Digizoid Zo or something of the kind, I'd be most interested in their impressions.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 10:21 AM Post #1,536 of 1,858
   
This. Have you ever tried beefing up yours? I'm thinking about adding something with a little more grit to the chain. I'm mostly looking for more warmth, lots of power and an adjustable bass boost. If someone has experimented with a Headstage Arrow, a Digizoid Zo or something of the kind, I'd be most interested in their impressions.

 
 
Is this what you had in mind?  I already found the best combo.


 

 
Jul 22, 2015 at 11:24 AM Post #1,537 of 1,858
   
 
Is this what you had in mind?  I already found the best combo.


 

 
I didn't know porn was allowed here.
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Thanks, man, I'll check out the CL Trio. Might be just what I'm looking for. I think Hugo+tubes could be a good idea.
Also, nice to see some Vision Ears in your gear. I just tested the VE4 and VE6XC -- veeery nice, especially the latter one, although quite a bit of hiss with the Hugo.
I think VE5 would be a bit too mid-centric for me, but I hope you like them.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 11:34 AM Post #1,538 of 1,858
I didn't know porn was allowed here. :p
Thanks, man, I'll check out the CL Trio. Might be just what I'm looking for. I think Hugo+tubes could be a good idea.
Also, nice to see some Vision Ears in your gear. I just tested the VE4 and VE6XC -- veeery nice, especially the latter one, although quite a bit of hiss with the Hugo.
I think VE5 would be a bit too mid-centric for me, but I hope you like them.



I like the VE5.

After all, if treble is the energy of the music, the bass its rhythm, the mids is its soul.

If anything else this world can usee to have more soul.
 
Jul 22, 2015 at 1:43 PM Post #1,539 of 1,858
Now I know what you mean, can concur, using line out to Vorzuge Duo definitely adds authority (Moreso than power) :)
 
Jul 23, 2015 at 8:26 PM Post #1,542 of 1,858


A few months back, I talked to my buddy in this hobby (who has been my companion and sometimes mentor) about adding a third element to the standard dap+Hugo stack.  He said that I was crazy to think that Hugo needs more drive.  

Now, he, too, adds a dedicated amp to the stack.  Hugo acts as mere dac.

This addition renders music fuller, grander, and the soundstage reproduction is also larger.


 


 
Jul 23, 2015 at 8:31 PM Post #1,543 of 1,858
Naked, this is how the stack looks.  You are welcome to try this config with the HD800 before you pass technical judgment.
 



AK240SS >> Toslink (better if you use Chord Hugo's stock toslink) >> Chord Hugo >> Crystal Cable RCA >> Portable amplifier (preferably use midcentric opamps like the LME 4562, LME49880, Burr Browns etc.)

My RCA interconnects have Mundorf silver added to the twine to boost treble air and extension.  

 
 
Jul 23, 2015 at 9:28 PM Post #1,544 of 1,858
I use my Hugo with my AK120 Titan and some pretty power hungry cans including the alpha primes which require a lot of juice and the LCD-XC and i find the Hugo provides more than enough power...could it be better or more?i suppose so but the idea of adding an amp to a Hugo is simply overkill for me.It took me a while to convince myself to plunk down the money for the Hugo and it is already bulky enough!Another element in the chain is too much for me!
 
Jul 23, 2015 at 10:18 PM Post #1,545 of 1,858
Well, every added amp will make the sound rounder, fuller, slower, bigger... That's in the nature of reduced accuracy. It may create a better synergy with some headphones that way, but it's indeed overkill. You could achieve a change of sonic balance without sacrificing accuracy with the help of an equalizer – most DAPs have one. Am amp, on the other hand, will change more than just sonic balance with reference to the original signal.
 

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