Hugo2 vs Ndac+TeddyXPS
- Thread starter Ryonan
- Start date
ERICLIMPIT
Active Member
I had a Hugo2 on loan, it is a pretty irritating thing to use with its daft confusing array of colours, really wanted to not like it but from the first moment I listened to it I was hooked, it has wonderful open detailed sound thats up there with the very best. Sadly the Naim dacs don't come anywhere close to this imo.
mjw
pfm Member
I haven't heard either but have read widely in preparation for a future DAC purchase. In summary, the impression I formed is that the Naim presents a more 'analogue' soundscape whereas the Hugo is the way to go if you're on a relentless pursuit of detail. It's very subjective and all I take from what I've read is that home dem is essential unless you buy used at a price that enables selling on if it doesn't suit.
I hadn't heard of the Qutest but, having googled it, that would suit me better than summat with a headphone amp I wouldn't use (also PerF's point about non-user replaceable batteries).
I hadn't heard of the Qutest but, having googled it, that would suit me better than summat with a headphone amp I wouldn't use (also PerF's point about non-user replaceable batteries).
TheDecameron
Unicorns fart glitter.
You can leave the Hugo connected to the mains while using. No hassle. The battery supply and headphone function make it an audio Swiss Army knife, of fine quality.
running NDX which i like and no plan for a change
djftw
Heterodox Member
You're probably fine then! The NDAC can be very good, but is unusually sensitive to what is feeding it IME. I would note though that it sounds identical fed by any Naim streamer, as all their digital outs are identical, if you have a UnitiServe in your system try it. You might decide to move the NDX on, it's a lot of money to have tied up in its onboard DAC and analogue stages which are not being used when it is feeding a DAC,
MarkW
Full Speed & Pagan
As a self-confessed dac obsessive, with a long history of diy days of varying quality, and having owned or had extended auditions of many well-regarded commercial devices, I have strong opinions on this subject.
But they are just my opinions and many will disagree, which apparently is their right.
The Hugo - no let's be accurate - all Chord dacs have bad or utterly appalling ergonomics. They are a pita to use. But the Hugo 2 does sound terrific. Musical, detailed and addictive. The Qutest will probably be more of the same only slightly less irritating to look at and use. Without the battery risks. If you can get past the looks, the useless user interface, the dumb placement of connections (applies only to Hugo variants) and the overly dogmatic approach of its designers it may be just the ticket.
But for similar money there are other good choices - Benchmark, Mytek and - possibly - the mid range Schiit multibit dacs all compete on price and sound. There is also the Rme ADI-2 Dac just about to hit the streets which, though I haven't yet heard one, should offer even better value at half the price of the Hugo 2.
Any assessment of value is subjective of course. My own is that there is a lot of margin being made somewhere along the line in selling Hugo 2 at 1800 quid. Ultimately you might decide the musical enjoyment it offers is worth it. If my choices were limited to Chord or Naim I would wait for the Qutest to arrive in my local emporium and have my debit card handy.
But they are just my opinions and many will disagree, which apparently is their right.
The Hugo - no let's be accurate - all Chord dacs have bad or utterly appalling ergonomics. They are a pita to use. But the Hugo 2 does sound terrific. Musical, detailed and addictive. The Qutest will probably be more of the same only slightly less irritating to look at and use. Without the battery risks. If you can get past the looks, the useless user interface, the dumb placement of connections (applies only to Hugo variants) and the overly dogmatic approach of its designers it may be just the ticket.
But for similar money there are other good choices - Benchmark, Mytek and - possibly - the mid range Schiit multibit dacs all compete on price and sound. There is also the Rme ADI-2 Dac just about to hit the streets which, though I haven't yet heard one, should offer even better value at half the price of the Hugo 2.
Any assessment of value is subjective of course. My own is that there is a lot of margin being made somewhere along the line in selling Hugo 2 at 1800 quid. Ultimately you might decide the musical enjoyment it offers is worth it. If my choices were limited to Chord or Naim I would wait for the Qutest to arrive in my local emporium and have my debit card handy.
ERICLIMPIT
Active Member
A good point about perceived value/excessive margins, but as much as I was impressed by the £1800 Hugo2 I ended up buying a second hand Audio Note DAC for similar money and that sounds better still imho.
Alex S
carbon based lifeform
If I did have around £2K to spend on a new DAC I would certainly be looking at Metrum Onyx, Mytek, Schiit but, although the ergonomics suck and the margins huge, the Chord stand-alone DACs still offer great sound per pound. I was bitten by the Benchmark 1 bandwagon but I'm sure later variants are an improvement.
djftw
Heterodox Member
You have to love Benchmark, they have said that the difference between the 3 and 2 is almost certainly inaudible, but they made the (measurable) improvements anyway as they were going to make the best DAC they could regardless!
Thanks for the advice, but i also stream from Tidal, 60% of the time....
now i am tempted to give H2 or Qutest a try