[Stormfriend]

I have been seeing some comments describing Hugo as excellent DAC with a good headphone amp. Both comments, in my view, are wrong and way off the mark - and seeing these comments are starting to bug me, so I would like to get it off my chest.

So how do we reconcile reports that desktop headphone amps sound better? I don't believe they do, its a case of altering the sound to suit somebody's taste. 

I appreciate the passion! I think there are two issues that you've not taken account of though. The first I'm certain will affect people's view of the Hugo if they experience the same issues as me, the second probably does too but I'm not an engineer.

1) not all digital sources are the same, and noise and hash in the treble from a variety of problems increases the level of treble energy and reduces the perceived bass. In the same way a rough treble is distracting and sounds bright whilst a pure treble allows us to relax and enjoy a more balanced performance. If the Hugo and the HD800s are both brutally revealing then the source has to be utterly perfect. So, when are you going to make a high quality portable transport?

2) power. Some headphone amps are substantially beefier than the Hugo and I even enjoyed running my headphones off speaker power amps for a while. The system noise was audible in the latter example (I was at about -54db on the volume) but the grip and grunt was exceptional. I wonder if a beefed up output stage would improve the performance of certain headphones, in which case it's a trade off between simplicity (Hugo direct) and power (amp). Why do Chord make increasingly powerful speaker amplifiers? It can't just be for inefficient speakers (or maybe it is?)

 

[SleepyOne]

I just checked with Chord about battery preservation, seems very simple, just switch off when not in use and don't leave Hugo on top of hot equipment surfaces etc. Other than that one can just leave the charger plug in all the time without any problem. Also don't need to do battery discharges like in some rechargeable batteries.

 

[bmichels]

... So, when are you going to make a high quality portable transport?
)

+1000

 

[beemarman]

Love my Hugo but why is Bluetooth input so damm noisy? Does not matter what Bluetooth device used I still get a lot of  noise.
 
Anyone else getting  the same problem?

 

[OK-Guy]

+1000

 
is that dream days?, best to dream on...

 

[bmichels]

Thanks for putting the amp argument to rest.

OK but... if NO amp should be added to the HUGO, then... WHY RCA & WHY Line-out mode implemented in the HUGO ????

 

[Clemmaster]

OK but... if NO amp should be added to the HUGO, then... WHY RCA & WHY Line-out mode implemented in the HUGO ????

 
To be used in a speaker system, maybe? 

 

[bmichels]

So, if I prefer my HUGO>my Tu-05 tube amp Rather than HUGO Alone, it is not because TU-05 is a better amp than HUGO's amp but because I prefer some 'tube flavour' injected in my music ? SHAME ON ME ! I should be banned from here for this ! )

 

[Rob Watts]

I appreciate the passion! I think there are two issues that you've not taken account of though. The first I'm certain will affect people's view of the Hugo if they experience the same issues as me, the second probably does too but I'm not an engineer.

1) not all digital sources are the same, and noise and hash in the treble from a variety of problems increases the level of treble energy and reduces the perceived bass. In the same way a rough treble is distracting and sounds bright whilst a pure treble allows us to relax and enjoy a more balanced performance. If the Hugo and the HD800s are both brutally revealing then the source has to be utterly perfect. So, when are you going to make a high quality portable transport?

2) power. Some headphone amps are substantially beefier than the Hugo and I even enjoyed running my headphones off speaker power amps for a while. The system noise was audible in the latter example (I was at about -54db on the volume) but the grip and grunt was exceptional. I wonder if a beefed up output stage would improve the performance of certain headphones, in which case it's a trade off between simplicity (Hugo direct) and power (amp). Why do Chord make increasingly powerful speaker amplifiers? It can't just be for inefficient speakers (or maybe it is?)

1) True about sources, I can't change much about the original recording! That said, it is always a balancing act between refinement (sounding rich and smooth) and transparency (sounding detailed and revealing). The nice thing about Hugo, is that it is very revealing, but in a natural way without being in your face. You can never get the balance right that suits all circumstances for all people though.
 
2) Power - yes good point, I meant to add this in my post. I too wonder if a beefed up OP stage would improve things. The output voltage is limited to 5V RMS (very much bigger than usual for portable but a bit smaller than some desktops) so if users use 22 ohms or greater impedance then you are good until you just hit white on the volume control. If the load is 8 ohms then it will start to increase distortion at the ultra violet colour (the colour just before white). So please let me know if any user gets to these colours on the volume. I tested the HD800 at just white, and it was extremely (deafeningly) loud... But feedback on what people actually use their volume settings with a named headphone would be very much appreciated.

 

[jamato8]

I can't past blue with my TH900, actually that is too loud. For the HE-560, blue is good. 
 
The sound is like velvet and pure mountain air to my ears. 

 

[SleepyOne]

 
But feedback on what people actually use their volume settings with a named headphone would be very much appreciated.

 
It really depends on the volume the music is recorded.
 
HD800 - between light green to turquoise (just before light blue). 
Beyer T1 - between green to light blue (not turquoise). 

 

[Clemmaster]

  I can't past blue with my TH900, actually that is too loud. For the HE-560, blue is good. 
 
The sound is like velvet and pure mountain air to my ears. 

How is dynamics with the 560? Do you feel a beefier amp brings better SLAM?

 

[Audiowood]

That was so insightful Rob for sharing the designer point of view here. I really appreciate that. Its really a great sounding DAC/AMP that suit my taste and needs perfectly. Thank you!

 

[Audiowood]

  I can't past blue with my TH900, actually that is too loud. For the HE-560, blue is good. 
 
The sound is like velvet and pure mountain air to my ears. 

Lol - For me its Supra Analog Sound with Supreme Organic Clarity. It send me into the state of sublime musical absorption.
 
I never get pass Purple on Shure 846. Its too loud at beginning of red.

 

[jamato8]

  How is dynamics with the 560? Do you feel a beefier amp brings better SLAM?

I don't know yet. Need more time. Seems to work very well though. Airy, musical and paced like real music, you know, that live stuff. :^)