AGB100
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2012
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Thanks for the link. Just what I needed!
You need to read between the lines. The review of the AYRE stated this: "In my experience, very few DACs convey this same sense of sonic roundness with PCM data. The Chord DACs do to some extent, the totaldac did, as well as a few others all costing considerably more than the Ayre QB-9 DSD. While this obviously isn't the only thing to talk about with the QB-9 DSD, it is to my ears what truly sets it apart. Sounds ring out true from a distinct place and they stay put making it very easy to feel the physical presence of the performers, in situ. In freakin' room..."
In other words, "it is to my ears what truly sets it apart." The weighty sound that is.
NOTE: The reviewer compared the latest DSD AYRE with EARLIER Chord DACS. According to the reviewer the AYRE almost reached the sonic plateau of EARLIER Chord DACS.
Personally I doubt it, but then other DAC makers assert similar nonsense.
The HUGO is a later and better design that owners of earlier Chord DACs are aware of and can hear; the Hugo's designer keeps asserting the same since he designed all of them.
I cannot speak for Lavorgna. It is clear however that in light of his own words the Hugo is superior to BOTH the AYRE and Chord's own earlier DACs.
It happens to be so unless one is resistant to logic and fact itself.
Besides, as I had shown earlier, the Hugo can be EQ'd to mimic the weighty sound of other DACs without the loss of detail and dimension the others will surely have if listened through a reference-grade system.