This has been an itch I've wanted to scratch since the middle of last year when I home-demmed a Chord Hugo2 DAC and absolutely hated it for its total lack of musicality.
The Hugo2 did so much right in terms of technical presentation but totally failed to convince me musically.
After the event, I was pointed to one review of the Hugo2 that matched my own opinions.
But reading somewhat between the lines of some of the ecstatic reviews I kind of had a feeling that the Mk1 Hugo might just do it for me.
And so it has turned out.
It retains the vast majority of the excellent resolution, control and dynamics of the Hugo2 but it has added tonal richness and microdynamic nuance that allows it to actually sound like music! Result. Very pleased after 2 days of listening. :)
Luckily, the unit I've bought is the later one that has enlarged stereo output phono socket openings that just allow my interconnect cables of choice to fit! No such luck with the digital co-ax input, for some reason known only to the folks at Chord, they chose not to enlarge that socket when modding the outputs. :scratch: :mental: But a small adaptor allows it to work. No such luck with the TOSLINK connection from my DVD player / CDT, I'm having to use the extra skinny cable that Chord supply.
https://i.imgur.com/iOO4eP7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/i2TxGBs.jpg
