Chord Hugo ?

DTC, trust me...the easiest determination to make between the top 2 and the bottom 2 here was with DSD material. It was a chasm!
It was a bit shocked, as I did not xpect that obvious a difference and it was clear from the first note.

I was particularly bummed by the DStream, as it operate in DSD upsampling mode, whereas the Hugo converted DSD to 2048fs PCM. thus you basically have 2 FPGA Dacs, one an uberDSD engine and the other an uberPCM engine. Both score way better with PCM. A head scratcher.

The Lampi Big7 (first time hearing it) and the MSB stack both trounced the other 2 in DSD (handily).

All 4 Dacs have interesting tech/implementatiions.

Winson - I am sorry you feel I was too critical, but I do think you should have been more straightforward about the price. People can look up the prices but since you knew them why not supply them. Comparing the Hugo to units that are 4 to 12 times its price is interesting, but why not make the prices clear up front. Interesting, you quote the DirectStream upgrade price rather than the full price. The regular price is more relevant. You pretty much dismiss the idea of using the Hugo as a desktop device, but then compare it to a unit that is probably a year away and at several times the cost. Sorry, it is an excellent desktop device at its price.

By the way, what false statement did I make?

Want to make a Hugo sound really great?

Add this:

http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/short-block

Works for the Qute as well. Qute also benefits from a power supply upgrade.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

Steve - the Hugo requires the USB +5V signal to turn on the HD circuits. As I understand it, that means your filter should not be used with the Hugo, since the filter stops the +5V signal from getting to the Hugo. Correct me if I am wrong.

I guess the SB will only work with the Qute DAC. My new Power Block will work with the Hugo. It will be out with my Off-Ramp 6 later this year.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio