Chord Hugo

[Deleted User]

Handles everything, even DSL there are zero DAC's out that touches this. And if you know a flip about DAC's, there are only so many. ESS which is worshiped here can't touch it. The Hugo uses gates to accomplish what a Dac does. If you want music at its best, nothing under 20 or so g's touches this. The only DAC I respect is a 1 bit AKM.

But again, we all have our preferences.

So why am I selling? I don't want to and will get another one very soon. I must finish my home theater by christmas.

$2,000 plus shipping.

Halen

[Deleted User]

Handles everything, even DSD. Don't know how to correct previous post.

Halen

txcoastal1

This is an excellent DAC and headphone amp
I have this unit paired with an AK120II portable music player. This combo allows me to plug into any system and provides an unparalleled source and DAC combo

Halen is an excellent guy to boot

GLWTS

[Deleted User]

Okay, now that I am up and sober. The Hugo works differently from other DAC's in that it does not contain an actual DAC chip but uses logic gates and taps. To be fair, I have spent time with many other DAC chips and its implementation used by various companies and the two that I really liked was the AKM and Oppo's setup with the ESS Saber.

If this sells, I will not be moving to another DAC. The Hugo is what I will return to.

[Deleted User]

AsSiMiLaTeD

I've had this Hugo for a week or so now, thought I'd share a couple quick thoughts.

First, very cool of Halen to let me borrow this for a few days. One of the great things about this forum and especially the great group of local guys here in the DFW area is the fact that we're willing to hand over a $2500 piece of gear without hesitation. This wasn't loaned to me to test before buying as I'm not in the market for a new DAC right now, but he knew I'd shown interest in the past and let me have some time with it before he sold it off, very cool.

Second, this damn thing sounds fantastic! This is the first portable DAC I've heard that truly competes with high end full size units. And I don't mean high end as in that Peachtree DAC-IT I liked a year or two ago, I mean high end as in the best Oppo players, W4S, Benchmark, Bryston, PS Audio, etc. The Hugo easily competes and even bests many of those products, my Oppo 105 included. I loved and raved about my 105, this Hugo sounds better in every single way.

I snapped a couple more quick pics while I was listening, just cell phone pics but figured I'd post anyway.

Fantastic gear by a great guy folks, doesn't get much better than this!

AsSiMiLaTeD

Most of us know how difficult it is to get the right balance between detail and musicality, often times gear is either hyper analytical or laid back to the point of covering up detail. Even gear that gets praised as being 'neutral' is often times a little too much one way or the other for me.

That's what I liked so much about the Oppo 105, it does a good job of walking that line. The Hugo takes striking that balance to a whole new level, it's walking a tightrope and making me realize that this whole time the Oppo was drunkenly stumbling down the sidewalk.

I'm doing my best to be reasonable, I'm sure that given a lot more time I'd be able to listen to a large number of tracks enough times to come up with one or two criticisms of it, but I haven't found any yet.

I'm in complete agreement with Skip, it's the best DAC I've ever heard, and it's NOT the most expensive one I've heard.

tonyb

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Most of us know how difficult it is to get the right balance between detail and musicality, often times gear is either hyper analytical or laid back to the point of covering up detail. Even gear that gets praised as being 'neutral' is often times a little too much one way or the other for me.
.

Holy drunken Kate Upton Batman....spot on my friend, well said.

tonyb

Nah pal....wine with dinner is an inseparable combo. Do you know me ? LOL

I'm sure it is a fantastic dac, just that 2 g's is a tad steep for me at the moment.

[Deleted User]

tonyb wrote: »

AsSiMiLaTeD wrote: »

Most of us know how difficult it is to get the right balance between detail and musicality, often times gear is either hyper analytical or laid back to the point of covering up detail. Even gear that gets praised as being 'neutral' is often times a little too much one way or the other for me.
.

Holy drunken Kate Upton Batman....spot on my friend, well said.

It is the difference between looking at Kate Upton and having her on your lap. hahaha.

I am not very good with words and I will not pretend to be. I have listened to and tried many DAC's. When I say many, I mean, many. Purchasing a DAC chip and implementing it is very common these days. One DAC chip comes in many different flavors. But when you say eff it, I dont need an "off the shelf" DAC chip and do something different, something truly original. It is ground breaking.

When I handed this DAC over to Danny, I asked him to be honest and brutal with his review. That man (Danny), understands this musical take better than me. I enjoy playing the guitar when I could, so I have a basis for my music.

But man. Danny, I am very lucky to know this guy. One day, if anyone of you meet this guy. Sit down and listen to him share his experience.

Like all my fellow Texans, I trust them with the keys to my house.

Halen

marvda1

then you better hide them diamond tweeters.

[Deleted User]

marvda1 wrote: »

then you better hide them diamond tweeters.

Bring Catherine Zeta Jones to snake through my laser alarm system! Friends, full access.