[doraymon]

But how do you and your country deal with all of the other items that I mention?

Not sure how it works, I know I can't ship a device with a Lithium battery but I can buy online and receive say a phone from abroad.

 

[doraymon]

Unclear which battery they are using or what lithium tech they are using. There are some types of lithium batteries that can be shipped in pretty much all countries. Some restricted from bulk and everything in between. What country are you in? Hopefully someone can comment what battery is confirmed used in Hugo and then we can truly see,

I live in Hong Kong.

 

[alubis]

There is a post somewhere in Head Fi regarding Hugo battery, but I'm having difficulty on finding the post back. The original battery is this one:
ENIX ENERGIES 700001 (MGL2811 or BT03611).

I found a UK seller of that battery, but unfortunately they won't ship it to my country. If you are in UK, then you are lucky. Btw, my Hugo has been dead for more than 6 months now, and I'm still having difficulty in replacing the battery.

Triode,

It is a lithium ion battery. Charge cycles mean less for them. It's a complicated thing to figure out their life span (do a quick search on lithium ion battery life), but 3 years is a good and generous guess of average life span. We are coming up on this # for a lot of people so this problem should start appearing more.

Your comparison vs apple is silly. There are lots of people advertising replacing apple batteries and options. I only know of chord and I am not as confident as you that "lots" of specialist companies will arise to meet the needs of Hugo owners. Hugo is a successful NICHE product, but it's not the kind of volume to inspire others to make their fortunes in servicing it.

Fact is if battery is as simple to replace as you say then it makes the cost seem even more egregious. This is a part that will fail. It doesn't seem Hugo is designed to replace that battery easily (that's consumer easy, if you have to get solder gun out, you have already failed). Where is the replacement battery listed? It's not in the manual or anywhere I could find on website. Feels like chord like most manufacturers would like you to use their approved methods whether under warranty or not. I would like options from Chord vs finding some guy. And I would like these options not to seem like their are trying to make excessive amounts for something so basic.

I am glad you think I can buy my next DAC where I wish. But my original message was directed to the Chord employees who are often here. And they hopefully don't have your attitude on this issue. I am simply asking for them to look at the issue as I feel like it is impending and hopefully come up with better options/pricing as current one does not reflect well on the Chord brand.

 

[GreenBow]

I thought that Hugo battery replacement was about £40.
 
The example with elviscaprice I was told was an exception where a repair was needed. (I asked and in my post said I was shocked thinking that battery replacement cost £250. However the reply someone gave me was that is was a particular price for elviscaprice.)    

 

[AndrewH13]

If you look at the AudioSanctuary site https://www.audiosanctuary.co.uk/chord-hugo-2-portable-dac-headphone-amplifier.html they are already asking is interested customers have a Hugo to part-exchange.

I don't think it is up to Chord to provide a financial incentive, because dealers themselves will be happy to offer part exchange for Hugos, if they believe that there is a large enough market of people interested in buying a second hand Hugo via Ebay or wherever. Your continual posts about battery armageddon being about to hit Hugo owners, is probably reducing the number of individuals interested in buying a second hand Hugo, and consequently reducing the likelihood of part exchange deals.

Couldn't see any part-exchange discount after trying it?

 

[miketlse]

Couldn't see any part-exchange discount after trying it?

 
On the right hand side, there is a drop down menu that defaults to 'Nothing to Part Exchange'.
Click on the down arrow, and the options for Hugo are displayed.

 

[AndrewH13]

On the right hand side, there is a drop down menu that defaults to 'Nothing to Part Exchange'.
Click on the down arrow, and the options for Hugo are displayed.

Yep, clicked them! But entering doesn't alter price in any way!

 

[Triode User]

Yep, clicked them! But entering doesn't alter price in any way!

I would expect that they would contact you after you express an interest in part exchanging via the website. It would be very surprising if they quoted a part exchange price without knowing a few more details about your Hugo. Part exchange price will always depend on condition etc.

I have part exchanged Hugos for other Chord kit with other dealers and normally a telephone call gets the best deal.

 

[miketlse]

Yep, clicked them! But entering doesn't alter price in any way!

 
I suspect that the dealer will contact you to offer a price, based on your feedback as to age, condition, etc.
 
Good quality Hugos now seem to be selling for £950 to £1050. If the dealer is planning to sell part exchanged hugos on Ebay, then they will offer less to the owner (maybe £800) so that the dealer will cover their costs/risk.
The Ebay price of secondhand hugos, when the Hugo 2 starts shipping, is still unknown - if say 200 owners try and privately sell their hugos at the same time, the supply will temporarily exceed demand, and the selling price of those Hugos will drop, and consequently so will the tradein price that will get offered by dealers.
 
Realistically it is too early for dealers to quote aa tradein price, although they can advertise that tradeins will be accepted, without incurring any risk at this early stage. 

 

[Triode User]

I suspect that the dealer will contact you to offer a price, based on your feedback as to age, condition, etc.

Good quality Hugos now seem to be selling for £950 to £1050. If the dealer is planning to sell part exchanged hugos on Ebay, then they will offer less to the owner (maybe £800) so that the dealer will cover their costs/risk.
The Ebay price of secondhand hugos, when the Hugo 2 starts shipping, is still unknown - if say 200 owners try and privately sell their hugos at the same time, the supply will temporarily exceed demand, and the selling price of those Hugos will drop, and consequently so will the tradein price that will get offered by dealers.

Realistically it is too early for dealers to quote aa tradein price, although they can advertise that tradeins will be accepted, without incurring any risk at this early stage. 

My experience of part exchange prices is different and I often get offered more than Ebay prices.

 

[miketlse]

My experience of part exchange prices is different and I often get offered more than Ebay prices.

No doubt you can get more by a private sale at the moment.
 
I have followed the price of secondhand Hugos on Ebay for a few months, and most have been advertised by dealers, with a few by private individuals.
So dealers will basically have two options, sell on Ebay, or to visitors to their stores - so dealers will be watching the Ebay prices.
 
If the market gets flooded by secondhand Hugos, then the price for privately sold Hugos will also drop.

 

[elviscaprice]

Couldn't see any part-exchange discount after trying it?

​Follow thru to pay in cart.  300 pounds given.  But of course you have to be from an eligible country.  Nothing on pre-requisites/condition.

 

[miketlse]

 
​Follow thru to pay in cart.  300 pounds given.  But of course you have to be from an eligible country.  Nothing on pre-requisites/condition.

 
That is far lower than I expected - they must be basing the price on Hugos that are nearly 3 years old, well used, and in poor condition (ie the worst business risk for the dealers).
At that price, I could be tempted to buy one secondhand for £350, and risk needing to diy a new battery.

 

[Triode User]

That is far lower than I expected - they must be basing the price on Hugos that are nearly 3 years old, well used, and in poor condition (ie the worst business risk for the dealers).
At that price, I could be tempted to buy one secondhand for £350, and risk needing to diy a new battery.

Show me where you can buy a Hugo for £350 and I'll join the queue!

That £300 trade in figure must just be a default minimum price trade in. I'm almost certain a much better price will be traded over the phone.

 

[elviscaprice]

You have to base off of the going new prices.  Right now you can get a new Hugo in China for 880-900 pounds.  That's full warranty.  So what are you willing to pay for an older unit and the risks/cost involved?  No warranty?