Hugo 2 vs. the internal DAC card on the AVM Evolution A5.2 Integrated.
At first I thought this was an unfair comparison. A $2500 DAC/ headphone amp vs. an $800 card. Take away the headphone amp and battery and the Hugo 2 is basically a Qutest. No need for a case and power supply....strong potential these would be pretty comparable. I was correct. They are two very different sounding DACs but in many ways are quite comparable.
This is by far the hardest portion of this to write. I wish I would not have listened to the better DACs before writing it. All DACs in the price tier above (~$5K) are better in every way. It doesn't make them bad. Just not as good as the units that are 2x-6x the price.
The Hugo 2 is a DAC I use for lots of stuff because of its mobility and connectivity but other than with headphones, I rarely listen to it critically. The immediate thing you notice is stable and clear. It is centered but did not extend beyond the speakers. This is not a bass heavy DAC(this does not show up with headphones) and this is what creates the perception that it can be a hair bright. Instrument separation is good. Some massing of string in particularly challenging parts of the Berg piece and the opening of Duende was a challenge but overall, detail is a strength for this DAC.
The AVM is the opposite. It had a lush central image with an emphasis on bass that creates a perceived warmth. The image also did not extend beyond the speakers but it was more layered and delivered more of an experience. Detail is not a strength. Strings massed during more challenging parts of the Berg piece and the opening of Duende was a struggle. Expectations though with AVM are that it will have a richer, warmer sound and it did.
Basically, if you are looking for a good DAC in the $2500 range and below, Chord is going to be on many lists and belong there. Detail retrieval is excellent and if detail is your priority...this is a brilliant DAC (as is the Qutest).
For what is not an inexpensive integrated amp ($6995 list) with two optional cards push price to $8595 (Phono & DAC - each $800) you would hope the DAC would be decent and fit with the brands house sound. It does. It would not be uncommon for someone to pair a Chord Qutest with the AVM integrated or a similarly priced DAC. If you like a warmer sound and want a one box solution, this would not be a bad option.
At first I thought this was an unfair comparison. A $2500 DAC/ headphone amp vs. an $800 card. Take away the headphone amp and battery and the Hugo 2 is basically a Qutest. No need for a case and power supply....strong potential these would be pretty comparable. I was correct. They are two very different sounding DACs but in many ways are quite comparable.
This is by far the hardest portion of this to write. I wish I would not have listened to the better DACs before writing it. All DACs in the price tier above (~$5K) are better in every way. It doesn't make them bad. Just not as good as the units that are 2x-6x the price.
The Hugo 2 is a DAC I use for lots of stuff because of its mobility and connectivity but other than with headphones, I rarely listen to it critically. The immediate thing you notice is stable and clear. It is centered but did not extend beyond the speakers. This is not a bass heavy DAC(this does not show up with headphones) and this is what creates the perception that it can be a hair bright. Instrument separation is good. Some massing of string in particularly challenging parts of the Berg piece and the opening of Duende was a challenge but overall, detail is a strength for this DAC.
The AVM is the opposite. It had a lush central image with an emphasis on bass that creates a perceived warmth. The image also did not extend beyond the speakers but it was more layered and delivered more of an experience. Detail is not a strength. Strings massed during more challenging parts of the Berg piece and the opening of Duende was a struggle. Expectations though with AVM are that it will have a richer, warmer sound and it did.
Basically, if you are looking for a good DAC in the $2500 range and below, Chord is going to be on many lists and belong there. Detail retrieval is excellent and if detail is your priority...this is a brilliant DAC (as is the Qutest).
For what is not an inexpensive integrated amp ($6995 list) with two optional cards push price to $8595 (Phono & DAC - each $800) you would hope the DAC would be decent and fit with the brands house sound. It does. It would not be uncommon for someone to pair a Chord Qutest with the AVM integrated or a similarly priced DAC. If you like a warmer sound and want a one box solution, this would not be a bad option.