Hi WaveTheory, if you want your mind blown even more, I suggest to use Hugo 2 with xDuoo X10T II firmware 1.2, connected via Audioquest Diamond USB C to C. But you must use USB C to Micro adapter. It sound miles better compared to 2go. I immediately sold 2go after that. Experience yourself. Remember to use FW 1.2 on xDuoo because 1.3 sound worse.
I was wondering what other dacs besides the Alpha and the Hugo 2 have given you the sense of space in a recording? I have not heard again that sense of space in a recording since I sold my Hugo 2 😓
Holo & Denafrips do a good job with holography near-ish Chord prices. I haven't heard Yggy yet but imagine it also does so quite well given Schiit's track record with their other dacs.
Interested in the 2go review, still haven’t pulled a trigger on it cause of mixed impressions Hugo2 itself still serves me as the main dac, whether going to gsx mini, c9 or by itself with IEMs
I’ve had a hugo2 for years. I use it portably around the house but also as a dac with the cayin c9 and feliks echo2 tube amp. What iems do you enjoy with it? I use a focal stellia with it mostly
Thanks for all your reviews. Wondering how you think the Hugo2 compares to today's dacs at around $1k like the ares 12th, bf2/64 or even the pontus 2. I know the answer (from your previous reviews) about tonal balance and feature differences, but what about technical abilities and specially spatial presentation?
Yeah it can drive it properly. You can drive it a bit better, but I think people focus waaaay too much on power requirements. You can buy a cheap POS from china for 300 bucks that puts 3x the power into it but it still won't sound as good as out of quality equipment. IMO.
Hey wave , how do you think the Hugo 2 would pair with something like a lcdx ? I have around 1.5k to play with and I can't decide if I want to get a used Hugo 2 for my lcdx or just buy a entirely different headphone like the he1000 stealth. Currently using the ef400 Thanks in advance, I love you man keep up the good work
What would your sonic goals be? The Hugo 2 is going to be more neutral, resolving, and aggressive presentation that will be a pretty significant across-the-board sonic upgrade. But it may or may not be the sound you're looking for.
@@wavetheorysound thank you for getting back to me I just got a brand new he1000se for $1600 I pulled the trigger based on your reviews hopefully I enjoy them. Thank you so much for your detailed thorough reviews 🙏
@@wavetheorysound actually you can use Hugo 2 as AMP with sensitive (>85db) passive speakers, and it sounds amazing. Even Mojo can do that (I drive my Monitor Audio Silver on ~80db without issues). Yes, without AMP, just mojo connected to passive speakers directly.
Hi WaveTheory, if you want your mind blown even more, I suggest to use Hugo 2 with xDuoo X10T II firmware 1.2, connected via Audioquest Diamond USB C to C. But you must use USB C to Micro adapter. It sound miles better compared to 2go. I immediately sold 2go after that. Experience yourself.
Remember to use FW 1.2 on xDuoo because 1.3 sound worse.
I was wondering what other dacs besides the Alpha and the Hugo 2 have given you the sense of space in a recording? I have not heard again that sense of space in a recording since I sold my Hugo 2 😓
Holo & Denafrips do a good job with holography near-ish Chord prices. I haven't heard Yggy yet but imagine it also does so quite well given Schiit's track record with their other dacs.
@@wavetheorysound thank you so much! I hope to try one of those dacs one day 😅
Interested in the 2go review, still haven’t pulled a trigger on it cause of mixed impressions
Hugo2 itself still serves me as the main dac, whether going to gsx mini, c9 or by itself with IEMs
2go is too bad. Not stable. 2go with 2yu combo are pure BS.
@@KS_1990do you own it? I do and I have not had an issue with Roon.
I’ve had a hugo2 for years. I use it portably around the house but also as a dac with the cayin c9 and feliks echo2 tube amp. What iems do you enjoy with it? I use a focal stellia with it mostly
Thanks for all your reviews. Wondering how you think the Hugo2 compares to today's dacs at around $1k like the ares 12th, bf2/64 or even the pontus 2. I know the answer (from your previous reviews) about tonal balance and feature differences, but what about technical abilities and specially spatial presentation?
would you say this is a good all in one solution for mobile use if the headphone is on the warmer side or is the amp section too weak?
Can Hugo2 drive a HE1000 properly?
Compared to your lakepeople, can hugo 2 amp compete?
Yeah it can drive it properly. You can drive it a bit better, but I think people focus waaaay too much on power requirements. You can buy a cheap POS from china for 300 bucks that puts 3x the power into it but it still won't sound as good as out of quality equipment. IMO.
If you can get the Chord stuff used for a good price it's worth it. Paying full price you're getting totally ripped off
Hey wave , how do you think the Hugo 2 would pair with something like a lcdx ? I have around 1.5k to play with and I can't decide if I want to get a used Hugo 2 for my lcdx or just buy a entirely different headphone like the he1000 stealth. Currently using the ef400
Thanks in advance, I love you man keep up the good work
What would your sonic goals be? The Hugo 2 is going to be more neutral, resolving, and aggressive presentation that will be a pretty significant across-the-board sonic upgrade. But it may or may not be the sound you're looking for.
Can you use this as a stand alone amplifier?
With an analog input? No. The only way to access it's amplifier is through its own dac.
@@wavetheorysound thank you for getting back to me I just got a brand new he1000se for $1600 I pulled the trigger based on your reviews hopefully I enjoy them. Thank you so much for your detailed thorough reviews 🙏
@@wavetheorysound actually you can use Hugo 2 as AMP with sensitive (>85db) passive speakers, and it sounds amazing. Even Mojo can do that (I drive my Monitor Audio Silver on ~80db without issues). Yes, without AMP, just mojo connected to passive speakers directly.
No balanced output is insane.
All good But no balanced?? +
Wutz gd bout it anyway. peace!
Not much to say here. So let's see how long this comment is here before the public release.
I'm sure it sounds amazing but those stupid buttons and lights and the lack of bluetooth at that price point put me right off.
CHORD hugo2 does have Bluetooth. Do you understand what you are talking about?