Chord Hugo Portable HiFi DAC For Car
Discussion
I came across this little device which yes is expensive but I use it to fly alot, however I thought I would have a play with it connected in my car and I was amazed at the sound improvement. Not only that but I was also able to access both my spotify and deezer account whilst travelling about in the motor. This was a revelation for me as I have so many playlists on there but have never been able to listen in my car.
http://www.custom-cable.co.uk/chord-hugo-portable-...
I'm sure it sounds lovely, but I had to laugh at the extra £200 they want for the 'slightly modified' chassis.
ked up and make the cable hole too small for the type of cables likely to be used on a £1000+ DAC. 
website said:
The slightly modified chassis will has altered RCA inputs in order to accomodate some slightly larger connectors from a few more cable manufacturers.
In other words, we fked up and make the cable hole too small for the type of cables likely to be used on a £1000+ DAC. Forgive my question, but what does it do?
I know what a DAC does, but I'm unaware of any mobile device that can output a digital signal.... They output a analogue audio output, so how does this work?
Does it re-encode to digital and then convert back, or is it simply acting as an analogies amplifier in this installation?
In which case £1200 seems a bit rich to boost the voltage of the signal....
I know what a DAC does, but I'm unaware of any mobile device that can output a digital signal.... They output a analogue audio output, so how does this work?
Does it re-encode to digital and then convert back, or is it simply acting as an analogies amplifier in this installation?
In which case £1200 seems a bit rich to boost the voltage of the signal....
It's a new generation....as of iOS 7 all iPhones and pads can output a digital signal using a CCK. Android will will a specific app. It's the DAC itself that's the money! All FPGA rather than off the shelf chips. It truly is amazing! Use it in my main HiFi at home from my Sonos and I have to admit, it take the sound to another level. (PS i'm into my HiFi)
budgie smuggler said:
I'm sure it sounds lovely, but I had to laugh at the extra £200 they want for the 'slightly modified' chassis.
ked up and make the cable hole too small for the type of cables likely to be used on a £1000+ DAC.
The "Normal" price is £1400, the £1100 is a discount because "some" cables won't fit. It's the Best DAC under £5K in the world barring the QBD76 and then adds on Headphones and Battery Operation. It's also designed by a Brit and built by a British firm. You want second best go ahead and buy it.website said:
The slightly modified chassis will has altered RCA inputs in order to accomodate some slightly larger connectors from a few more cable manufacturers.
In other words, we fked up and make the cable hole too small for the type of cables likely to be used on a £1000+ DAC. chris.mapey said:
Forgive my question, but what does it do?
I know what a DAC does, but I'm unaware of any mobile device that can output a digital signal.... They output a analogue audio output, so how does this work?
Does it re-encode to digital and then convert back, or is it simply acting as an analogies amplifier in this installation?
In which case £1200 seems a bit rich to boost the voltage of the signal....
It takes a Digital signal and outputs it either via Phono Line or variable level or though a dedicated Headphone Amplifier. It's input count includes Bluetooth APTX, Coax and Optical SP/DIF and standard and High Speed USB. It also plays any PCM input up to 24/384 and DSD128 files which is better than SACD which uses DSD64.I know what a DAC does, but I'm unaware of any mobile device that can output a digital signal.... They output a analogue audio output, so how does this work?
Does it re-encode to digital and then convert back, or is it simply acting as an analogies amplifier in this installation?
In which case £1200 seems a bit rich to boost the voltage of the signal....
In Short you will struggle to find something it will not work with.
telecat said:
The "Normal" price is £1400, the £1100 is a discount because "some" cables won't fit. It's the Best DAC under £5K in the world barring the QBD76 and then adds on Headphones and Battery Operation. It's also designed by a Brit and built by a British firm. You want second best go ahead and buy it.
I think even Rob Watts the designer has said it is better than the QBD76. It really is astonishing when connected to an iPad.GTIAnni said:
telecat said:
The "Normal" price is £1400, the £1100 is a discount because "some" cables won't fit. It's the Best DAC under £5K in the world barring the QBD76 and then adds on Headphones and Battery Operation. It's also designed by a Brit and built by a British firm. You want second best go ahead and buy it.
I think even Rob Watts the designer has said it is better than the QBD76. It really is astonishing when connected to an iPad.
I have had the Single box DPA PDM1, DPA PDM1 mark 2,The two box DPA PDM1 Mark three. They used the SAA73 bitstream DAC chips. My next purchase was the sublime SX128 using the current FPGA Tech. I now have the Chord DAC64. Basically I am waiting for the Next generation of the DAC64/QBD76 series hopefully with HDMI inputs.
Chord DACS using the FPGA have been the DSC1500 which had a separate Plug in Board.
The DAC64 and the DAC64 MK2 with a proper power switch and dual inputs for the BLU Transport.
The QBD76 which is a replacement for the DAC64.
The Now forgotten Indigo which included a modded Ipod as a digital storage device. It was a match for the Main Reference Range.
QuteHD Matches the Chordette Range
QuteEX with Better Input and output resolution
HUGO as discussed.
Other FPGA DACS designed by Rob Watts were the Tube Technology Fulcrum.
Other FPGA DACs Audio Synthesis DAX Discrete. That could use "Audio Synthesis Link" with a Transport that had been converted to transmit SACD via the ASL links.
NAD M51 it has a HDMI input so you can use a BLU-RAY Player as a Transport. And An Output to TV
Chord DACS using the FPGA have been the DSC1500 which had a separate Plug in Board.
The DAC64 and the DAC64 MK2 with a proper power switch and dual inputs for the BLU Transport.
The QBD76 which is a replacement for the DAC64.
The Now forgotten Indigo which included a modded Ipod as a digital storage device. It was a match for the Main Reference Range.
QuteHD Matches the Chordette Range
QuteEX with Better Input and output resolution
HUGO as discussed.
Other FPGA DACS designed by Rob Watts were the Tube Technology Fulcrum.
Other FPGA DACs Audio Synthesis DAX Discrete. That could use "Audio Synthesis Link" with a Transport that had been converted to transmit SACD via the ASL links.
NAD M51 it has a HDMI input so you can use a BLU-RAY Player as a Transport. And An Output to TV
Edited by telecat on Saturday 14th June 12:28
GTIAnni said:
It's a very good piece of gear! I heard the Resonessence Concero which is FPGA with an ESS DAC chip and that is pretty good but the Hugo is another level entirely. Waiting to hear the QBD76 replacement. Noticed that they are now doing the modified chassis at £1199. Deal!
The DAC won't be as good as the one "programmed" into the FPGA on the HUGO. Rob Watts basically uses Thousands of "Taps" in his DAC's whereas commercially available DAC chips only use hundreds.Here's an interesting article on the HUGO. The design was initially for the SPARTAN3 FPGA and a very expensive Reference DAC. Then the SPARTAN 6 was released which was much cheaper and could take the same "program". Hence the HUGO
http://www.aumacoustics.com/robert_watts.html
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