AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
Hey, I'm not defending Chord's pricing; l'm only saying that Amir is inconsistent in his conclusions.
-
WANTED: Happy members who like to discuss audio and other topics related to our interest. Desire to learn and share knowledge of science required. There are many reviews of audio hardware and expert members to help answer your questions. Click here to have your audio equipment measured for free!
Review and Measurements of the Chord Hugo 1 DAC & HP Amp
- Thread starter amirm
- Start date
Jimster480
Major Contributor
I didn't realize that Chord had any products not engineered by Rob Watts
Jimster480
Major Contributor
When did this happen? Typically the only "adequate" performance products he has recommended were speaker amps / AVRs. There is maybe one budget DAC or Amp that had "adequate" performance that he still recommended just due to the price.
The Hugo / Hugo 2 are absolutely flagship type devices with TOP tier prices that cost more than an entire stack + headphones which are just better performing than the device itself.
I cannot blame him for not recommending it.
OP
- Thread Starter
- #44
I give a pass if the device is exceptional in other ways. This device looks like a cheap toy to me. No way it first in category of high-end, multi-thousand dollar audio devices.
Yeh only DACs and M-Scaler thing are Rob Watts designed.
Everything else MIGHT measure crap.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
AFAIK Watts just does the DACs and John Franks, founder/chief designer does the rest. <https://chordelectronics.co.uk/our-team/> <https://chordelectronics.co.uk/products/> Chord had been around for quite a while before Watts joined.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
There have been several only very recently. Do I really have to slog through the whole lot?
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
I think "might" is the right word. AFAIK most Chord stuff measures well. It might not be VFM but that's the market it sells to.
Last edited:
Jimster480
Major Contributor
I never knew this. I guess some other products have to be tested now to see.
Yes that's why I used it and put it in all caps...
Can you share some examples?
Rob Watts shares his APx555 measurements (he has his own machine at home..).
I haven't seen Chord share anything.
Call me crazy but for me Chord styling of their cases is extremely cool.
Every other company devices look pretty much the same. Square silver/black boxes with different face plates. Nothing special, the same design for like ~40 years ?
But Chord products looks very different, I really like it
Every other company devices look pretty much the same. Square silver/black boxes with different face plates. Nothing special, the same design for like ~40 years ?
But Chord products looks very different, I really like it
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
Perhaps the amps have never been sold in the US, or not achieved any market presence. They've never been cheap and there's a lot of high-end American amps in the market. Here's a bit of history <https://www.markhennessy.co.uk/rogers/ls58_chord.htm>. Note that the BBC were unlikely to mess about with overpriced amps that didn't deliver.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
I agree. They might take it too far in some cases, but don't we want some variety?Call me crazy but for me Chord styling of their cases is extremely cool.
Every other company devices look pretty much the same. Square silver/black boxes with different face plates. Nothing special, the same design for like ~40 years ?
But Chord products looks very different, I really like it
BTW I have a real dislike, bordering on outright disgust, of the typical boastful styling of much high-end: absurdly thick, huge slabs of metal tacked on the front of the chassis and protruding anything up to an inch on all sides. Is that supposed to impress?
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
Try this one <https://www.stereophile.com/solidpoweramps/306chord/index.html> Quite old but will give you an idea.
Yup, check Marantz CD-73 player. It's an old cd player, its design is not as crazy as chord ones. But still, I really like the cd loading solution.
Enough of boring design !
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
Is it trying to look like a cassette deck?Yup, check Marantz CD-73 player. It's an old cd player, its design is not as crazy as chord ones. But still, I really like the cd loading solution.
Enough of boring design !
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
Test this year, this time at HFN by Paul Miller <https://www.hifinews.com/content/chord-ultima-prepower-amplifier-lab-report>
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
In case any UK members fancy taking a dip in the Chord pool, the Mojo has been reduced from £400 to £300. Get it from Peter Tyson and you get an Apple or Android cable thrown in. <https://petertyson.co.uk/chord-mojo>.
AudioSceptic
Major Contributor
You've seen this then <https://chordelectronics.co.uk/products/> ?Call me crazy but for me Chord styling of their cases is extremely cool.
Every other company devices look pretty much the same. Square silver/black boxes with different face plates. Nothing special, the same design for like ~40 years ?
But Chord products looks very different, I really like it
I always fancied one of these
https://chordelectronics.co.uk/product/red-reference-mk-iii/
https://chordelectronics.co.uk/product/red-reference-mk-iii/
Similar threads
