Chord Hugo with Audeze LCD-X

[imprezap2]

trying a new USB cable today (Audioquest Cinnamon, A to micro), had to "machine" the micro connector of the cable a bit as it was not fitting.
Not sure it is an improvement, it is different than the stock cable that comes with the Hugo. The mids sound a bit fuller, but the stock cable connectors have a much tighter fit.

Anyway with the modification done to the connector the cable is mine, will give it a few days to see if it will improve.

[Eisener Bart]

Olaf,

did you complete of breaking-in of LCD-X?

[imprezap2]

Yes, there is not much changing anymore, by far the best headphone I have ever owned.
Highs and mids are silky smooth, the low frequencies extend very low.
It also has good PRAT, cannot stop tapping my feet when listening to the latest Robert Cray CD.

Really listening to music with this headphone.

Waiting for a new headphone cable, we will see what (if any) improvements it will bring.

Chord Hugo is a great DAC/AMP, even in my main set it works very well, but I mainly see it as a portable device, what I find a bit annoying on the Hugo are the small openings around the RCA plugs and the on off switch is to small.

[Eisener Bart]

Thank you.

How many hours (or days) did yoy spend for full breaking-in?

[imprezap2]

bit of a guess, but around 150hrs for the Chord Hugo. The LCD-X was sounding great earlier already when connected to my main system.

[gerzom]

Hi Olaf,

I see you still use the stock cables on your Audeze. Any plans of upgrading them?

I found a huge difference in sound when I upgraded the cable of my LCD 2.2 to some new Entreq cables.
I felt like all aspects of the sound of my Audeze just got even better.

Maybe worth a try

[imprezap2]

Yes they are already on order, hopefully early next week they will arrive.
Taking a bit of a gamble (although costing not as much as some other cables) but I have gone for the wywires red headphone cables.

Olaf

[Glisse]

Originally Posted by imprezap2

...

Chord Hugo is a great DAC/AMP, even in my main set it works very well, but I mainly see it as a portable device, what I find a bit annoying on the Hugo are the small openings around the RCA plugs and the on off switch is to small.

Given the right source, the right digital cable, the right RCA cables, and used into a preamp at the right gain setting, I find the Hugo can be shockingly good at Redbook through to 24/96kHz as a main system component.

[imprezap2]

I agree, it's a great unit. It's a pity there is no fixed output bypassing the volume control, I bet it would be even better.

Soundstage wise it is matching the DAC in my Ayre DX-5, but the Ayre has a bit more drive. (I guess that will be consequence of a better power supply)

The combination with the Audeze is great, very happy with it, it will not replace listening by speakers, but it will be my music system when working abroad.