Which high end dac to buy?

[Chr78]

Hi guys.

I need usb, optical and (bluetooth connectivity). Im lookin for a clear, airy, detailed, fast sound. I have heard th arcam d33, i liked that one, better than the irdac. But im also thinking about the chord hugo, which one do you think is best? Or maybe you can recommend soemthing else? Budget 1000 pounds, new or used.

Regards Christian

 

[drummerman]

Dunno but from a purely technical point of view anything with a Sabre chip will likely measure best (if the implementor hasn't compromised it when designing the rest around the DAC). Most others use the same of the shelf chips, utilizing different, the same (or all) their facilities and design their own output stage around it explaining any varying results, for better or worse.

As far as I know Chord develop their own silicon, software etc so much of the price is probably explained by that and the elaborate packaging.

If I'd wanted something unique I'd get a Chord. Other than that, DAC's with ESS Sabre chips are affordable now and would probably be my choice, not least they can offer switchable filters which are part of this particular product (and some others).

Having said all that, I had a Rega DAC for a short while but sold it as I wasn't convinced the sound was better and I have two cyrus cd players but prefer the older one for it's 'more analogue' sound.

Go figure.

 

[rainsoothe]

Ye, the Hugo is really fast and airy. Dac V1 is also a good option, but a bit smoother then the Hugo. And, of course, the D33 you already liked.

 

[Al ears]

I'd be tempted , with that money, to look at the Oppo HA-1. You'd also get a brilliant headphone amp. 🙂

 

[drummerman]

I'd be tempted , with that money, to look at the Oppo HA-1. You'd also get a brilliant headphone amp. 🙂

I like that too.

 

[Al ears]

I'd be tempted , with that money, to look at the Oppo HA-1. You'd also get a brilliant headphone amp. 🙂

I like that too.

'Tis extremely good by all accounts. I have two bits of Oppo kit now and, for the money, they are probably the 'best buys' I've had in a long while. Highly recommended. I have a feeling it will leave the likes of the M-Dac and others standing and you 'd probably have to go down the Chord Hugo type route to equal or possibly just better it.

Oh dear! Sounds like I'm becoming a bit of an Oppo 'fan boy' but why not?, others have their A. Brahamsen and Schmeggles to promote. 🙂

 

[SteveR750]

Chord Mojo? You can use it on the go with your phone / tablet / laptop etc too....plus it's less than half the price of a Hugo

 

[MickyBlue]

the mojo is a headphone amp/dac? how on earth would the op connect to an amp?

stick with the hugo it is spectacular.

 

[Al ears]

Possibly by the headphone output?

 

[Chr78]

Micky, do you know if the chord hugo has normal usb connectivity? because i have a pretty expensive nordost a to b usb cable, it would suck not to be able to use that for the chord hugo???

 

[MickyBlue]

Possibly by the headphone output?

lol dont be daft you have no idea!

 

[MickyBlue]

Micky, do you know if the chord hugo has normal usb connectivity? because i have a pretty expensive nordost a to b usb cable, it would suck not to be able to use that for the chord hugo???

hi, the hugo uses a micro usb, i have purchased an audioquest usb adapter to connect my aftermarket cable, only £8.99 and the differences are remarkable.

 

[MickyBlue]

Possibly by the headphone output?

seriously is that your reply? mate you need to do your homework instead of dribbling rubbish to people who might think your serioius.

 

[Deliriumbassist]

You can use the Mojo as a DAC in a home system. Holding down the volume buttons when switching it on sets the output to line level.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi guys.

I need usb, optical and (bluetooth connectivity). Im lookin for a clear, airy, detailed, fast sound. I have heard th arcam d33, i liked that one, better than the irdac. But im also thinking about the chord hugo, which one do you think is best? Or maybe you can recommend soemthing else? Budget 1000 pounds, new or used.

Regards Christian

I personally wouldn't spend huge amounts of money on a DAC - that's just a personal preference.

Perhaps look at Rega or Audiolab DACs.

 

[Al ears]

Possibly by the headphone output?

seriously is that your reply? mate you need to do your homework instead of dribbling rubbish to people who might think your serioius.

I seriously don't know why I am bothering to reply to this purile interjection on your part but you just carry on having a poke if it makes you feel important..... I am getting too old to worry about oiks like you.

See deleriumbassists post. Now who's dribbling rubbish?

 

[Al ears]

Perhaps to some my post about headphone socket might have appeared a tad facetious but, to explain to the uninitiated, most devices these days be they DAC / Headphone amps or even simple portable HiRes players will tend to have a switchable 'line out' socket (even my cheap Fiio X3 has one). These are normally associated with the headphone socket itself thus ensuring any device can output into a home stereo set-up.

So, to the OP, the Chord Mojo, with its 3v output, could indeed be worth considering even though it is intended, essentially, as a portable device.

 

[DocG]

Hi guys.

I need usb, optical and (bluetooth connectivity). Im lookin for a clear, airy, detailed, fast sound. I have heard th arcam d33, i liked that one, better than the irdac. But im also thinking about the chord hugo, which one do you think is best? Or maybe you can recommend soemthing else? Budget 1000 pounds, new or used.

Regards Christian

I personally wouldn't spend huge amounts of money on a DAC - that's just a personal preference.

Perhaps look at Rega or Audiolab DACs.

+1. You can maybe spend your money elsewhere in the hifi chain, with more impact on the sound quality. What amp and speakers do you use (or do you plan to get)? And what source(s) do you have?

 

[SteveR750]

the mojo is a headphone amp/dac? how on earth would the op connect to an amp??

?

stick with the hugo it is spectacular.

Via the phones socket, easy enough to do.

 

[Al ears]

the mojo is a headphone amp/dac? how on earth would the op connect to an amp?

stick with the hugo it is spectacular.

Via the phones socket, easy enough to do.

How come you don't get ranted at by MickyBlue when you say it I wonder??

 

[drummerman]

Just to throw another name into the equation, Benchmark do some highly acclaimed DAC's (some with pre-amp and/or Headphone facilities). Great pro-background too.

No Bluetooth afaik but you can always add that cheaply.