I went to the local high end audio shop looking for new headphones, and instead they demoed the Chord Hugo. I went back with my iBasso and Shure 1840 headphones and did a direct apple stop apples comparison between the ibasso dx90 and the Hugo, using the ibasso as a source and swapping the headphones between them on the same tracks.
I'm really sorry to say there is no comparison
. The Hugo is far and away the best sound I've ever heard. I was really happy with the ibasso sound, but comparing it to the Hugo makes it sound like there's an extra filter, or layer of drywall between the music and my ears. I ended up with the Hugo and now use the ibasso as the source only (damn, shouldn't have given away my dx50
.
I still use the ibasso-only on trips, and when running with my IEMs but not when I have the time or space to set up the Hugo. That thing is the best sound I've ever known. Just wish it was cheaper
.