stormbringer

I think its coming out next month, they rebuild the dac chips using proprietary technology, if your budget could be stretched though i'd say wait for the M2Tech Mercury in September.

Emcee, In which case the Hegels have wonderful synergy with NAIM i think a new one by the name of HD12 DSD is about to be released, if you are going for the young you must hear it with the optional PS!

I guess different manufacturers implement technologies differently and achieve different result based on what kind of quotient they are looking it - the FPGA whilst preferred by some for full implementation is not favored for grassroots implementation due to design functions by some others this definitely does not mean that complete non-FPGA is inferior similarly some manufacturers rebuild part of the dac modules in their terrain (few names like Hegel, and on some newer models i think M2Tech is doing the same), some use rather obscure D/A chips and build another strategy at the end of the day, whilst FPGA is a fantastic thing to have ; we shouldn't be sidelined from the goal of going for what works best in a given situation - science is a brilliant thing, but there's also something called "making it their own, and driving it home" its a part of innovation, perhaps similarly in months to come some measurements will prove the superiority of the hybrid architecture, maybe won't - it remains to be seen.

Hegel Rocks - Excellent timbre..

I did - i found the Young, superior in every way - but the catch is using it with the palmer/van de graaf pushes it up to the same price of the Hugo - which in my opinion can be better priced, but for that kind of money; the performance of the young-palmer is better welcomed, the young is not a mobile dac its a high-end on shelf unit with truly balanced output, the hugo on the flip side has bluetooth and headphone out but is single ended only - so it really depends on what you are looking for, chances are if you have a decent rig - you are better off with the young, if you rather play stuff through your iPhone and need some mobility maybe the hugo if you are willing to spend that kind of money on a dac without a balanced output, though the headphone output on the hugo is very good - can't really say the same for its bluetooth capability. The Hugo has better publicity courtesy of their advertising budget and henceforth the benign disposition of magazines/sites ; the makers of the young are poor with their english, and a little slow with marketing - but it pulsates the italian soul and is robustly built, i am also leaning towards purchasing their Marley Headphone amplifier, which i found probably the last headphone amp one may ever need.

Thanks a lot my dealer just informed be its around 800+ euros rrp, but you are right should be able to find it at 700-780 Euros!.

The dealer tells me the van de graft will ship in about a month's time - stepped power on and off, able to supply to 3-4 units simultaneously and what an elaborate design it looks like - my only worry is the price..but i am going to go for it..since i am eyeing the marley as well..

Well i really fell in love with this DAC at the Show, Synthesis Audio Roma with Tube Input Stage - How natural!

Actually the Hugo is the best dac in the world, loved by trolls and endorsed by every audiophile everywhere :-) superb craftsmanship purely understated par excellence, mind blowing construction, single ended only but single minded in that way. a simple comment had been blown out of proportion i was meaning to say there are better dacs out there for the price - but no matter what i say ; there will always be this and that and that and this - Sorry Mr.Logan, your are not being prosecuted in need for defense, hope your find your microusb cable, apologies that my recommendations are not up your alley. Sometimes, we buy something and its supposed to be good - no matter what anyone else says, lets leave it at that - good luck. for those who can't man up and need to gang up - i will not respond to this thread further.

Dear Jud, Whilst simple mathematics can tell you i am just on to the 10th post here on CA - its impossible to have helped 1/100th person - you may have disliked the GT2 - that is your personal opinion i can only share what/how i have experienced stuff, again maybe half-way across the thread just speaking your mind means " hijacking a thread " please don't use all this terminology about hijacking, blah blah - it was just a statement - he (ted) tried to patronize me ; i gave it back to him - simple, but i choose not to answer any of like minded replies to me - waste of time and lost cause. I tried to help with the limited knowledge i had ; and i spoke my mind. Put me in the hall of fame for it, i'll do it all over again - no remorse. Sorry Logan - if this had upset you, GoldKabel the german manufacturer is coming up with a silver plated micro termination of the USB - i am going to get one and will post my impressions. The Gt2 is in its third iteration for those who have found the earlier a bit tight and lifeless and will ship anytime soon - i saw/heard it in Munich for the first time, under the ADSL banner. Regards, Storm.

Hi Guys, I am using the new Dh Labs "Mirage" Signal Isolating USB Cable - Its really, very very good! The difference between their other Max Bandwith USB Cable is like sky and earth! although the Max Bandwith is excellent for its price. I consider the Vertere USB Cable (which i also have and use) the best ever - now with the Mirage i think the gap is clearly bridged!

I realize that Alpha Labs has discontinued their MicroUSB, and replaced with the Formula 2 but now make a new USB cable under a different banner the GT2 Furutech GT-2 Audiophile USB A to Mini B Cable - Analogue Seduction - Analogue Seduction Arguably the same stuff, if not better ; Please spare me the metronomes ; i think we can all engage in healthy discussions than patronizing one another, an opinion is an opinion - "is an opinion" ; the hugo was released in 02/14 but hardly a pioneering effort ; i was just putting forward my opinion - why do serious?

Hegel HD11 is nice!

"Alpha Labs" by Furutech is a mid-prized line that makes many gadgets including micro-usb cable ; at least i bought one last year to be resold because i didn't need anymore ; I felt there were better sounding, better priced equipment than the hugo - but this is very subjective of-course, unless of course you are "only" talking about its headphone output which is marginally better than others - so there you have your point.

I have an impression that its nothing more than the Stereo192 - with a lot of cosmetic changes ; the sound was very close to the DSD192 - had the usual "digitized" feel to it - nevertheless a leading manufacturer Mytek;- but i think they need to be in touch with their customers more, their approach is more pro-audio and we hi-fi-ers want some life into our music, not just bling.