Chord 2Go + Hugo 2 = high-end audio in EVERY room
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- Опубліковано 21 кві 2020
- Camera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko | Motion GFX: John Darko
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Backstory:
darko.audio/2020/04/a-short-f...
10 more thoughts on the Chord 2go + Hugo 2:
darko.audio/2020/04/10-more-t...
Chord Electronics 2go (€1199):
darko.audio/2020/02/2go-2yu-2...
Chord Electronics Hugo 2 (€2290):
darko.audio/2017/09/top-of-th...
aptX on iOS?:
darko.audio/2017/12/how-to-en...
Tangled up in Bluetooth:
darko.audio/2019/03/tangled-u...
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Apps mentioned in this video…
GoFigure:
apps.apple.com/us/app/gofigur...
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
Roon:
darko.audio/2018/07/a-short-f...
mConnect Lite:
play.google.com/store/apps/de...
apps.apple.com/us/app/mconnec...
Glider:
apps.apple.com/us/app/glider-...
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Also featured in this video...
Intel NUC:
www.intel.com/content/www/us/...
Bluesound Node 2i:
www.bluesound.com/products/node/
Meze Empyrean:
darko.audio/2019/02/a-short-f...
Final D8000:
snext-final.com/en/products/d...
Campfire Audio Solaris:
darko.audio/2020/01/a-short-f...
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Review music? Baby Bird, Clark, Throwing Muses, New FADS, Thin White Rope, LFO.
Video music? You can find review/video music playlists for Spotify, Qobuz and Tidal over at our Patreon:
/ johndarko
#chord #hugo2 #2go
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Darko.Audio is a web magazine covering new and exciting developments in the audio world and we aren’t afraid of indie rock or techno.
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LIKE THIS VIDEO?
Please support what we do via Patreon:
www.patreon.com/johndarko
Backstory:
darko.audio/2020/04/a-short-film-about-the-chord-2go-hugo-2/
10 more thoughts on the Chord 2go + Hugo 2:
darko.audio/2020/04/10-more-thoughts-on-the-chord-2go-hugo-2/
John! Greetings from Boston! Great video! I have Mojo+Poly and I will definitely use many ideas from this video. I noticed you have Mojo+ Poly too. Question: what wire would you recommend for line out from Mojo to my pre amplifier. I have a Parasound JC-2BP and JC5 Power Amp. Thank you very much!
Subscribed and big fan of your videos
Another mojo/poly owner here. The combo sounds fantastic... when it works, but it seems to be a fundamentally flawed product. Plenty of software bugs, clunky & often frustrating UX, Airplay is unreliable (random dropouts on the go). I've had multiple polys die on me, with no international warranty support (one died while I was travelling and I couldn't replace it until I could reach the store I purchased it from), another one took months to be replaced.
Based on my experience, I'd caution anyone from running out and buying this, without researching and possibly demoing it. I.e. if you're just using it with Roon it may be everything you could ever want, but if you're planning on using it just an airplay endpoint, you're probably better off just getting a DAP
AAA you make valid points... good post!
I agree, I’ve been unable to make a stable and clean sound from any source and any transmission mean (WiFi, LAN or Bluetooth)
I own the Chord Hugo2 and just purchased the 2go. I am thus far sampling with my B&W P7 headphones. Next up will try my Audeze LX2. My (not very technical) preliminary review is: WOW!!!. Setup is easy (manufacturer acknowledges problems with Mojo/Poly software / firmware challenges in setup that have apparently improved in this product), streaming is phenomenal, and sound quality is superb. I tried streaming via Roon with audio library on my iMac (mostly high resolution HDTracks files) as well as UA-cam music from my MB pro via AirPlay. So, far no complaints. With those who are having trouble with AirPlay, my impression: AirPlay quality depends a lot on the source device (I have a lot of drop outs with AirPlay from my AppleTV but not much trouble from my MB Pro streaming to B&W Zeppelin Wireless).
I feel better already. A new video from Darko has dropped. A million thanks John!
It connects just like an IKEA furniture!
Fantastic video as always! Thanks for making it.
Thanks John - this is the review I've been hoping you would produce. Excellent as usual and looking forward to your written follow up on the website.
Like the addition of the captions and descriptions for the various pieces of gear shown in the video, good work.
I’m often sitting on the toilet waiting for the drop!
Thank you very much John, for the 2go video which I have been waiting for so long! Now the 2you question left :) Stay safe ✊
Great video John. Thank you!
Your videos are the best in the audiophiles reviewers... good camera shots... editing.... script....etc. The rest pale in comparison. Carry on John.
As always... very helpful and good video! Cheers!
Love Chord products. Thanks for the great review John.
The Tomorrows world of Audio. I wish Chord would make a Walkman type of player.
Great video; thank you. I also just started listening to your podcast. Well done. Thanks.
Usefull. As allways. Thanks
I absolutely love your music selection for your videos. My dirty secret is I go to your list and find the music in AM to add to my play list.
Did I just hear someone is playing New FADS as part of a listening review. Wow, wonders will never cease.
The music at the start is phenomenal
Best Video- & Sound.👌😍
I love my Chord Poly/Mojo combo - sounds epic. This must be amazing! Great review, as always.
If you use Apple devices which player do you use for Tidal / Spotify in combination with your Poly?
I have the Hugo2 and just purchased the 2go. Listening with my B&W P7 headphones. SIMPLY WOW!
Change to Mojo 2 and it will have 95% of Hugo 2👌
Great review!
Of course it's for using on the toilet. That's why it's call 2Go.
I do like your attitude towards audio!
Mconnect! I've been so frustrated not having gapless playback with my Chord Poly until now. Your suggestions are so helpful. Thank you!
im so confused ... yet I still enjoy these videos
Great video. Toilet bit was funny😊
“Do I listen to music on the toilet?” Form and function - an audiophiles approach. Next weeks video.
We’ve had kallaxfi, next it’s soapdishfi
Do like your stuff John. Keep it up, and stay safe over in Europe-Berlin. Luv your passion for audio. Think you had the Meze Empyrians. Maybe one day I'll snag a set. 😁 Interesting look at the Hugo 2 and 2go, and your comparing it, to the mojo and Polly; as well as the Qutest. Audiophile land, is ideal, in these times; i.e., tough isolated times. 🙏🏼✌🏼
From Hugo to Lego in just couple of bricks. 🔝
I love the sound of the chord products ... the only pain in the ass is the micro-usb connector at the mojo & hugo I really hate it
Totally agree, I mean where someone can find a decent USB cable? Come ooooon!
micro-usb? oh heellz no
why dont you use Optical?
Chord 2Go + Hugo 2 + 64 Audio U18 Tzar is one of the craziest setups if have ever heard. You can hear the spinning of the protons! :D
Here I was wanting the usual Spotify playlist link lol. Review video was nice.
I don't own any portable or fancy headphones but the looks on that machine, the design, those LEDs, the convince... made me think I need one
John, I've got the Hugo2go and agree wholeheartedly with your emphasis on "around the house" portability. Especially as the whole family is now living in close quarters while sheltering-in-place, it's great to be able to pick up and move your audio system to another room, no cables, no power cords, no bother. FYI, I got a Jansport "Weekender" mini bag (US$20) to give me a bag and shoulder strap for my Hugo2go, making it even more grab-and-go-able around the house.
Have you experienced any problem with the wireless play?
and does it feel any different in term of sound quality compared to the usb?
Sweet looking unit
10:50 re: the negative influence of the room, listening to speakers nearfield (where the speakers are in the middle of the room) on a much lower volume reduces the effect of the room tremendously. If you end up liking it then choosing speakers takes on a whole new realm as speaker characteristics for nearfield are completely different.
Thank john that very interesting! Hopfully you'll take a look at the 2yu as well at some point, but nice to see that this works well.
Neat concept. The device itself has dreadful aesthetics. It looks like a kids toy from the 80s. The functionality is pretty cool, though.
IMHO the esthetics elicit a love or hate response. I understand that the display (color coded) is too complex for ease of use (requires memorizing the color coding scheme), but the rigid steel cage adds a level of strength that renders the esthetics less relevant (or me). I read a review where the author dropped it from his balcony and the 2 connected devices landed unharmed.
Thank you for calling out the nonsense of those rubber bands, I also got them with my iFi Nano. They either block your display or fiddle with buttons on the side of your phone. And the whole package is too bulky anyway. :)
Mr. Darko, as much as I truly enjoy your videos and I watch every single one of them, your taste in music astonishes me. As soon as I saw Chris Clark record being played I jumped out of my chair :D
You made my day sir :)
I like your website more. Videos are nice with great production but the website provides a better perspective along with your very well crafted writing.
Listening to music while during your daily #2..... sounds like me for sure.
Oh that music is delicious!
Thin White Rope! Great band !
02:53, ahh now everything makes sense! I was asking myself whether the two Micro-USB connectors would hold the child and the mothership in place! Well, that's how you lock two shelves together, smart.
Thanks John. The reason I gave up on my Mojo 1 was the sheer bulk and wires
This in probably not the best place for this comment. I have been listening to John and have concluded he is a good/genuine/classy man.
Very very similar to my Chord Mojo Poly. Yes I know you already did this one.
The Hugo 2 + Meze Empyrean is my dream setup. One day.
The same for me. Hugo 2 + 2Go + Emyrean. Really GREAT!
It was my dream setup as well since the Empyrean came out. I finally got them, it is life changing!
Nice video, this thing seems to be brilliant. Having just ordered a pair of Meze headphones the Hugo+2Go seems like a nice dac/transport.
Having USB between the units makes me wonder if they lost the advantage of being able to pull data from the source using only one clock or if there still is a clock in the 2Go that has to synchronize with the Hugo hence introducing more jitter than necessary...
I thought this set was lossy since it's not cable-connected but it's not! Now I want them.
Someone should make a phone case that has a "module" that is a DAC/AMP. You could take the module away and put it back in and the case acts as a "dock" to the phone that you can put into your pocket!
Nice boxes 👍
You've made numerous strong cases for the LG phone models with excellent audio.
I have -- but the 2go/Hugo2 goes far beyond the sound of an LG phone.
I love that you can have fun with a little toilet humor in your reviews.
Anyhow, I have a Qutest on my main system and use the Auralic Aries G1as my streamer. I absolutely LOVE that combo. But, I found myself listening to more headphones lately at home and at the office. So, I started to research PDPs and immediately thought of the Mojo/Poly combo. I auditioned one and it was lovely. Then, my dealer told me about the upcoming 2Go unit for the Hugo. He said if I wanted something that sounded a little more like my Qutest, this may be something to consider. At the end of the day, I would be listening to local files via a memory card and stream Tidal when I could as my office does not have wifi that can be used on non business devices.
I didn't much care for the way the Mojo/Poly was controlled via an app and decided to go with a more traditional (if there is such a thing) PDP. Once I saw the recent sale price on the discontinued Astell and & Kern Kaan, I picked one up. It's been a great way to listen to my Quad ER1s cans around the home and Campfire Audio Solstice CIEMs out and about. If I didn't already have a nice streamer and DAC, I could see something like this Hugo2 and 2Go combo being a nice all-rounder.
Congratulations John, your make GREAT videos. Excelent presentation, soundtrack and cinematography, world class really. You have come a LONG way since your first videos on this channel that were made in 2015.
But I must ask.. What in the word where you using to film those 2015 videos with!? They look like they were shot using one of those camcorders from the early 90s, or the cameras from early 2000 flip phones.
Cheers John, stay safe.
Great video! Thanks again as always, also, who makes the bass traps sitting behind the JBL'S?
After installing room-treatments in our toilet there wasn’t any room left to go to the toilet. Bass-trap made a handy bog-roll holder though.
Hi John, thanks for the good video. I have Qutest and i'm very happy about that DAC. I've noticed Chord Huei on the audio rack. Is the video/review coming of that too?
I just started watching your videos and bloody love them. UK lockdown means I have more time to dedicate to enjoying music and doing so has made me realize my system isn't very good. Search on how to improve led me to your videos. I have repositioned my speakers away from the wall and repositioned my chair which has improved things massively, far less boomy and muddy. My speakers are probably too big for the room but they are all I have and have a love for them having inherited them from my Dad, childhood memories etc.
Anyway at the moment my system is two pioneer cs607 speakers, a yamaha htr-5540RDS av receiver, a very cheap Bluetooth receiver and my phone.
My budget is low, (furloughed).
Any tips on what to buy to improve my listening experience etc? I'm a complete novice to home audio.
I'm also thinking of buying or building some stands to get my speakers off the floor, again any tips or products I should look at?
Cheers all.
As for speakers, measure the size of the bottom of themif you have a manual for them see if it has any mention of how far off the floor they should be. John has a few reviews of speaker stands.
Used to own the mojo+poly combo. It’s a complete nightmare especially with the go figure app. Chord should develop their own player control app to provide an intuitive user experience. With the go figure + a 3rd party app it’s just way too clutter IMHO.
Chord did a pretty major revision of the goFigure app for the 2go launch. I never used the older version, but I've got no complaints about this new one for configuring my Hugo2go. I use Roon for playback, tho.
Nic Chan
Totally agree, the Chord / Poly combination when it works it sounds fantastic, however most of the time it doesn't connect to the App and when it does playing in Hotspot it will suddenly stop playing music when at home or when out and I am on the latest software. It's a complete nightmare and not fit for purpose and the 2 Go is having the same problems.
I'm using Bluetooth connections on my IPhone 8 plus and its already sounds nice, I did not hear any differences by connecting Hugo 2 using a ridiculous long cable setup hahaha. Like anyone else comment I'm disappointed when they still using micro USB port instead of type C port. I did not buy 2GO instead I choose AK Kann CUBE. I love my AK Kann Cube even bigger than the original KANN and its sounds better even without my Hugo 2. The best thing it uses type C port and easy to configure as network streamer.
Holiday cancelled this year. I'm sure the missus wont mind me spending the money on this instead...
I'm sure it sounds extraordinary and I am all in favour of expensive gear, if it makes sense. But this makes no sense. It costs 3500 euros, it is extremely bulky and lacks proper control app for the streaming part. Personally I would just pick up an IFI xdsd (or nano bl) for on the go and spend the rest on a really good fixed streamer/dac for the main stereo. The Chord Qutest, which you already mention is better, costs only 1500 euros, leaving another 1500 for a brilliant streamer like the innuos zen.
The background sound great on my Meze Empyrean :)
I was sold on the toilet compatibility. Shut up and take my money!
Wicked
Listening to this through my Meze Empyrean's connected to my Hugo2go w/ audio streamed via Airplay from my Macbook ;)
Also, I just wrote in a comment on FB yesterday how this combo was more "transportable vs. portable." Seems we've had identical experiences.
Have you experienced any problem with Airplay?
and does it feel any different in term of sound quality compared to the usb?
Hey John, I just shortly wanted to mention Dave Tipper's Album Broken Soul Jamboree. You would love it if you do not already know of it. Thanks for your content. Keep it up!
Kudos for listening to Throwing Muses! University is excellent. Such an underrated band.
It looks like something they’d use in like star trek in the 60’s or whenever the first star trek series came out! XD
Sept. 8, 1966. This is basically an (audio) tricorder
John, was an early adopter with Poly and love it with 2.0. Had the 2go for a few weeks now as well and love it with Roon. Was curious to know if you like the sound pairing with the Solaris. I have the Atlas and Cascade. Been on the fence with the Solaris.
Great video and a 'like' for Darko. Really love the Mojo but this combo's price is high; almost the price of a hiend 'rackable'/Kallax-fi/whatever...DAC/stramer! Yes, if I had a small place I would buy it...Oh! And no more isolation for now please!
The moo is back!
Moooooooo.
Would love a 2yu review John
Excellent video
Interesting product.
Would like to know more about the battery life.
wow that is so nice. to bad it's so expensive!
I just bought the Hugo 2 and love it so far with my Audeze LCD-X. I stream Qobuz via my iPhone plugged into the Hugo 2. Since I only have my phone as my only source, are there any advantages to the 2Go?
Looking at the Hugo+2Go offering, it just seems like their are more compelling offerings for the dollar. I feel like with the ~$4k price tag of this combo, I would find something like the Fiio M15 for portable use, combined with any number of $3k Amp/Dac/Streamers combos(Brooklyn Bridge, Altair G1, etc....), much more compelling. Considering the additional availability of independent streamers, such as the Volumio Primo, I would again find the offering of a portable DAP such as the M15, a Volumio, and then many of the endless $2500 Amp+Dac combos, to be more compelling then the 2Go + Hugo. Chinese companies have incredible offerings right now, like the Topping D90 dac, or any of the high end Audio-GD offerings. I would almost certainly prefer to be listening to a Benchmark HPA4+Topping D90, pretty much top of the line in their respective categories under 5k, even if I had to use a Raspberry Pi as a streamer, as compared to the Hugo offering. Especially considering the pain in the ass it will be to have to disconnect/reconnect all the cables from the Hugo setup every time I leave the house, and come back in the afternoon.
Great review, I’ve been enjoying my Hugo 2 with A&K SR15. Interested to try the 2GO now!
I've got the Poly / Mojo and it's been a bag of washing.
Would I buy one for my Hugo2 - No.
I have Poly and connect to my new Mojo 2. It sound fantastic, easy to connect to my network and do not have drop out since updated to the latest firmware . Compare to my Hugo 2 connected to Sonore optical Rendu as source . Both connected to my Hi Fi system. The Poly / Mojo2 was only marginally under the Hugo system . Both Chord products sound dynamic, details and excellent bass. My Hi Fi system cost UsS&30000.
Quick question: Can the 2Go cut hair? Asking for a friend. It's getting serious out here.
Actually, it can style your hair, just give it some 230 VAC
Ugly?? I am sure there is a practicality to the small form factor, and I appreciate it makes a lot of sense for people on the go to look into the Hugo2 , but I just cannot warm to it. I like looking at my hi fi almost as much as I like listening to it an enjoy the symmetry of the full sized components in my rack flanked by tower speakers. I listen with my eyes open and that's what I am looking at 95% of the time. It sounds churlish, and I am sure this product sounds fantastic, but I could never see myself purchasing anything that looked like that. Thanks for sharing.
- PS you have a lot of PS Audio gear. Didn't realise you were a fan.
I agree Chord gear is generally hideous looking. This coming from a Mojo owner.
So leaving the transportabillity aside, would you go for this combo or the Mytek Brooklyn Bridge? Primarily for headphone listening.
Had the Mojo+Poly combo- not too stable even today. Hugo 2+2Go feels like a different product entirely with no issues to talk about whatsoever! (Well, so far)
If you already own the Mojo/Poly combo for portable use around home with Roon as the source, do you feel the cost/value proposition is worth the perceived “upgrade” in sound quality John?
If you think Hugo 2 is worth 4 times the cost of the Mojo then this upgrade would make sense.
@K - Doggy essentially that was my question... if JD felt it was worth the extra cost, as HE has listened to both, and I have not. If YOU have, why don’t you comment on that...
02:48, I was hoping to see you animating how the child docs to his mothership in a spacious background depicting the far universe, because so is the 2go and 2yu; far from being available and far from it being recognized by the non-audiophilic audience.
I must say I was expecting a deeper look into the overall user experience. Not just the app itself but the connectivity, battery life and smoothness of the whole system. We all know how good the Hugo 2 is but this combo could be a real option for those who aren't still sold on the DAP hype.
Anyway, thanks for another great video.
Per the video ending, that's coming to my website in a few days.
Well why not just loudspeakers in your toilet, like in the bathroom. Most houses does have central heating and my house does allso have a central stereo. Think the Hugo will well perform in the car, or am I wrong?
I definitely like the Chord products but my biggest gripe is the with potential battery replacement, both in the cost and that it's not meant to be user replaceable. When the battery in my Mono finally goes I'm going to remove the battery and just run it off of an external battery or USB power supply.
Props for Thin White Rope 🏴☠
Thanks for the video. Question: if I'm streaming wireless over my network, does it really matter if the server is of an 'audiophile' quality. i.e. will my desktop PC (iMac) used as a ROON core work just as well as a dedicated audio PC such as; a ROON nucleus or an Innuos??
yes, your iMac will work just as well.
What’s the battery life expectancy in the real world? Great insight,as always John.
More of a commentary and comparison on the sound quality of 2Go would have been useful in this video. The use cases you described are compelling and I’ve wanted one since they were rumoured over 18 months ago but it’s a very expensive streamer so the sound quality REALLY needs to stack up. Also the software was highly controversial on the Poly for a long time so some commentary on how that stacks up in 2020 on the 2Go would equally be useful. A lot of Hugo2 owners have been waiting for this with baited breath so a really good in depth review will help a lot of us out.
Per the video, I have *already reviewed* the Hugo2 - link in description box AND in video. The focus here is the 2go. Also per the video, more 'nerdy' thoughts coming to Darko.Audio tomorrow.
John,
How would you compare the mojo and poly combo to this combo? Significant step up? Heard some might even prefer the mojo and poly combo and that adding the poly gives the the mojo a nice jump in sound quality? Thanks!
Dear John, I’m not quite sure I should be thankful for this video as previous videos of yours made me buy a H390 from Hegel last month and this one a Hugo2/2Go combo after I finished watching it. Can you make a video on how you do your sound recording/editing so my wife will stop thinking some witchcraft is involved ? Thanks a lot
Hi john, quick question: since it doesn’t support MQA is it still possible to stream tidal on the highest quality?
And if that isn’t the case is it maybe a better investment because it is also much cheaper to buy the pro-ject pre box s2 + pro-ject stream box S2
I would really appreciate your answer(s) and thoughts about it!
Keep up these great videos!
Tempted to get this along with the Chord 2YU to connect my Qutest. Any plans to review the 2YU?
I had a Qutest as well and I wonder if it vould be possible to connect directly the 2Go to the Qutest. It would be a great news if it would work.
That kind of money (2go + 2yu) makes me think hard about an SoTM sms 200 ultra neo or Sonore ultrarendu with power supply. I love chord products but same time I can’t help thinking there’s some disdain for the honest joe customer who is stumping up their very hard earned cash for what seems over priced , functionally.
Prove us sonically wrong , chord ;)
2Yu wont come as soon as we thought. Yes 2go and 2Yu together will make it possible to work with any DAC.
@@JimmyLegrand It can't. the 2go needs to be connected to the 2yu to function as a standalone streamer for anything other than the Hugo 2.
I am surprised it has wifi! thank god. If i see one more streamer you need to hardwire i will die. My house doens't have ethernet cable through the walls lol.