Topic: Chord (DAVE, Blu2, Hugo2, Mojo, Poly) - Discussion Thread

[jelt2359]

I wonder why Rob would want to do that? To each his own, but… I can’t imagine why he'd want to further mix the channels with speakers in a room beyond how the artist(s) intended their music to be heard.


If you don't get any response, I'll let you know in a couple of weeks... (a buddy promised to bring his DAVE to my place for a shootout )

He says it gives him more depth. I imagine it's very dependent on the specific speakers and room.

[nfnc]

If you don't get any response, I'll let you know in a couple of weeks... (a buddy promised to bring his DAVE to my place for a shootout )

Look forward to the comments. 

I used the DAVE direct to the BHK Stereo. As you'd expect there is more transparency and greater detail vs putting my Audio Research Ref 5SE in the chain - but I preferred using the DAVE thru the Ref5SE - because there was better sense of space in the soundstage - in terms of depth and width.

Thanks.  Would you say that the dynamics, drive and body/warmth was better too? 

Yes. Tested with a few different preamps, including one that goes for 15K$USD. The Chord Dave direct (using the inbuilt digital pre) was better.

Would you mind elaborating on the areas which were better when running the DAVE direct? Thanks.

[AndrewC]

Couple of excellent presentations from the Chord guys on Hugo2, Blu Mk.2, and Poly … (the Mandarin translator is pretty annoying though, but easy to fast forward ). The Blu Mk.2 M Scaler section is especially interesting.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/2mFYHrEILYQ&fs=1" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/2mFYHrEILYQ&fs=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/LxYnV5rh8vc&fs=1" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/LxYnV5rh8vc&fs=1</a>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/JZ0JodpvYxk&fs=1" target="_blank" class="new_win">http://www.youtube.com/v/JZ0JodpvYxk&fs=1</a>

[InnocentBlood]

the Blu MkII is some kind of wonderful - especially when it is paired with the DAVE. i had a chance to demo this combo during the recent CanJam and I was struck by how vibrant, immediate and "in your face" my music was. this is stuff that I've been listening to since 1991 and it was quite a revelation to me. i can see myself getting the Blu MkII in the near future. to me, it's definitely much more than just a glorified CD player. it should be available for demo in our local shops soon so i'd urge those of you interested to simply give it a try. you may be pleasantly surprised ☺️

[AndrewC]

DAVE is in da’House! Buddy just dropped it by for a couple of weeks … Will post a review.

[DJQ]

$13k sitting there. enjoy. 

[nfnc]

$13k sitting there. enjoy. 

Is that the street price?  AV1's pricing is...

[karhoul]

I guess every resellers have their own walk-in promo mechanics

Hugo2 casework in production. 
https://www.facebook.com/chordelectronics/videos/1060362084063812/

[domho8]

DAVE is in da’House! Buddy just dropped it by for a couple of weeks … Will post a review.

This one chin swee ah

[InnocentBlood]

Is that the street price?  AV1's pricing is...

on the secondary market, the cheapest I've seen is SGD11,500 - i think there's one for sale on Carousell.

[DJQ]

on the secondary market, the cheapest I've seen is SGD11,500 - i think there's one for sale on Carousell.

sold by the same person related to the one sold here. 

[AndrewC]

This one chin swee ah

No denying that, it's a real cutie!

[eze73]

Part of this is on the Melco thread

The purpose of the testing was
1. To know whether my spendings were out of purpose
2. Share my experience and have your opinion
3. In no  case , i have some vested in the stuffs here , neither am I a reviewer

Tracks used for testing (CD tracks ripped via dbpoweramp to Flac uncompressed)
1. Adele : Set fire in the rain
2. Massive attack : Blue line (Bass)
3. Gossip : Heavy cross
4. Rodrigo y Gabriela : Live in Japan : Take five
5. Ella & Louis : April in Paris
6. Sia : Chandelier (Piano version)
7. Hugh Masakela : Stimela : Drums , fine recording
8. Nils Lofgren : Keith don’t go
9. Daft Punk : Giorgio Moroder

Conclusions of the DAC shootout
This is just for the sake of comparing
The DAVE is still a unbeatable for my ears , there's nothing to criticise about it
Fun , smooth detailed , instrument separation second to none

The DDDAC is the DAC of a great versatility , especially sounding full with the Sowter
The BC DAC 3.7 is an upgrade , and sad to say that it's not to my taste . It is powered with the LNS , and yelds to some nice music , good soundstage (bettering the DDDAC) ...but there is something missing
However , the BC Dac 3.7 sounds in a different league to the Eximus in terms of soundstage and detail
I can easily live with both the Eximus and the BC , the former being a good headphone amplifier (and good pre amp)

Overall
The DAVE is my favorite DAC today , music really really suits my taste when delivered via AES EBU (Tested with Auralic Aries , needed to be tested with the Lumin U1)
The DDDAC is a fantastic value for money , highly capable , without any competitor at 6000 euros

[Ratatouille]

"lucky" av1 cannot sell 100 of these in SG. boss will have suddenly strike toto.
price is nowhere near the average commoner, still if any millionaire in SG were to read this. just get the Dave. its a top notch DAC.
nevertheless an excellent personal review.

[RAYRAY]

Hi Andrew, awaits for your Dave review and thanks in advance.

DAVE is in da’House! Buddy just dropped it by for a couple of weeks … Will post a review.