Will a Chord Hugo 2 make a music streamer addition obsolete?


Gonna make an investment in a Chord Hugo 2, for Tidal streaming (directly into my MacBook Pro) and CD playback.

Is my query (essentially) correct?

I use Arcam monos/pre (nearing 15 years of usage) with B&W 804s floor standing speakers. With the $ saved, I plan to upgrade with a pair REL s/510s subs instead (but that’s a discussion for another day).

Cheers,

Charlie

128x128teh_chucksta

The Chord Hugo 2 is a DAC/Preamp/Headphone amp. By itself it has no ability to receive a streaming signal.  While, as others have noted, you can use a PC to send a streaming signal to the DAC, this does not give a good quality signal. PCs tend to be very noisy because of all the other computing functions under way. That's why everyone is recommending a stand-alone streamer to pair with your Hugo.

@mlsstl 

@hayas 

@verdantaudio 

@oddiofyl 

@carlsbad 

You guys rock! 

So, I think I’m going to spend the coin for a Hugo2/ 2Go combo because it 
solves several problems for me: high end DAC, streamer (removing PC noise), a headphone jack, and it’s a setup I can probably live with for many years.
 

Re: Audirvana, I went the software route with Amarra SQ+ but I didn’t really dig it, most because the software is an awful mess and so unreliable.

 

OP,

 

Unfortunately the DAC will not make up for a bad streamer… like a PC.

 

My rule of thumb is that you want to just as carefully chose and invest about the same amount in a streamer as DAC. My streamer is actually about 20% more than my DAC and absolutely worth it.

 

My digital end sounds as good as my excellent high end analog end.

 

I recommend Aurender streamers. I own two and have tried others.

Good plan.  Hugo is a good DAC.  Good choice.

You can of course use your PC until you get money/time/research done to buy a streamer.

Jerry

I just read in a Chord Qutest forum that one of the RCA outputs can be used to run headphones (confirmed by R. Watts) so maybe I’ll go with Qutest, save $2k, add in a LPS and figure out the streamer later.

I’m so changeable!