Hi Martin, Do you still include the Allegri+ or EAR Yoshino 868 in your system ? What are you views on the merits of each ? I am just trialling Dave/Etude with and without the Chord Prima, and Allegri+ as alternatives. Fed by my NDX2/XPSDR.
Stuart
Hi Stuart,
Sold both. I replaced them with the Icon 4 that is also an autoformer passive pre which I find as good as the Allegri.
I think the autoformer pre-amps are excellent. Low noise floor and dynamic. The 868, along with all EAR pre-amps, is not of the warm valve school, while not as noise free as the Allegri/Icon but adds some texture to the sound, whether that is accurate is another matter, but I enjoyed it. All three pre-amps are excellent - the Icon is also SUPERB VFM.
I should be getting an Etude in shortly, looking forward to hearing it.
I am not sure whether I am green with jealousy about the Dave, I am struggling to letting the TT2 go
Look forward to your thoughts on the Dave/Etude.
M
I have no intention of putting a pre between my Dave/Étude (although I do have an Allegri+ boxed up) but I’m curious as to any benefits or changes one might bring. Or is it just that you need analogue inputs?
I’m very sorry to hear this… may you pass on my commiserations to your wallet at this very traumatic time of weight loss
While I love my TT2, the Etude really made it sing! Enjoy
Hi Chris,
It might be worth a try with a Chord pre-amp. Have you tried? It would also be understandable to prefer to use the funds elsewhere. Nice to have the choice.
Best regards, BF
I have had the Dave/Etude here for just over a week, as well as a 300DR on loan. The 300DR was my main purpose for evaluation - and it is a great amp.
My dealer was happy to loan out the Chord/Etude “to see what I think” as I am now reaching ‘max investment’ in my system;
the next Naim-step would be a ND555 and the depreciation on those looks steep, with the NDS a precedent. .
I have just moved to a house that has a thin (probably single breeze block) party wall, and I am looking to ‘tame the bass’ from my 250DR (system as per profile) and increase the proportion of my listening towards headphones (for which I have a Hugo2 already). An improvement in sound quality over the NDX2/555DR is in a sense a byproduct, but desirable.
Initially I found the Dave/Etude (with TQ Ultra Black 2 RCA) very bright and lacking in mid range (I am not expecting to replicate a Naim sound signature). The Etude may be very new, the DAVE has been a demo unit for 9 months.
I contacted Chord with my concerns and their lead amplifier guy recommended trying XLR’s and/or a Prima. My dealer sent on a Prima, and TQ UBlack 2 XLRs. I also have the Allegri+ and the Fractal F1 interconnects on trial.
The Dave/Etude with the TQ XLR’s has settled down and is now a much more pleasant listen with the renowned transparency and a more balanced frequency range. . I tried the Prima and the Allegri+ briefly but want to let the Dave/Etude/XLR’s play non-stop for 24 hours+ - fed by my NDX2/XPSDR (555 not needed in this setup).
Part of this upgrade choice (300DR or DAVE/Etude or even DAVE/300DR) is to enable me to consolidate on to a single (digital) source and system. I have had a TT2 in my previous system so no desire to repeat, accurate though it is.
Good luck… I absolutely delight in my Dave, Etude, ATC system… I even throw a HMS between NDX2 streamer transport and DAVE.
As far as interconnects I use home brew unbalanced gold plated silver core twisted pair… sounds expensive, but it isn’t if you buy the raw ingredients. Sounds sublime with a balanced natural feel with no bloat, excessive warmth, or upper mid prominence.
I just couldn’t get on with various TQ interconnects… balanced or unbalanced… I just felt the overall effect sounded unnatural and unattractive … I think it must be the TQ house sound and me just didn’t get on. Good thing you can try before you buy.
Thanks Simon, Martin, Chris for your relevant comments.
A pair of Townshend Fractal F1 XLR’s arrived from Sue today so I can run them in too and compare with the TQ UB2 come Sunday.
I just had a look at the MCRU website and good quality Furutech XLR connectors aren’t cheap.
I might consider a HMS scaler as a next step if I “go Dave”.
Now, back to the music…
Stuart
Hi BF
No, I haven’t tried a Chord pre. I’m still getting used to the improved sound from the Étude over my previous 282/250 as well as a long overdue speaker upgrade, and I was hoping to keep it simple and stop at 3 boxes as I’m in a pretty good place now.
Then there’s the M-Scaler, and as my dealer cheekily reminded me when I collected the Étude, I could buy another one and bridge them. Maybe next year!
Simon do you have that ensemble rack for the Chord units as well? I just saw that for the first time and i must say it looks quite impressive…
Stuart, I have used the Furutech XLR connectors for some of my own use DIY balanced cables and only use them if using bulky cables (they accommodate thicker conductors) otherwise I find the Neutrik have the same sound quality for far less.
My dealer reckoned there was no point in using XLRs so I tried a few RCAs. The winners were the Fractals I already had for my Alegri+.
Yes it looks nice doesn’t it… but no I don’t… I have DAVE on my top level Fraim
Hi Toon,
I don’t anticipate buying it, the 300DR has a synergistic relationship with the SBLs that even saw off my EAR534. But, I look forward to trying it with a variety of equipment.
M
Sounds like hard, but enjoyable, work.
M
If nothing else, it will provide a bit of entertainment and a point of reference. Always nice to try different things! Glad you’re enjoying your spell with the TT2 though!
Guys I have a dumb question about the Hugo TT2:
I see that it has a power button on the front. When you turn it off, does it actually turn the unit completely off so that none of its LEDs/buttons emit any light, or does that merely put it in a standby mode where it still emits some light?
Reason I ask is I would be using it in the bedroom. My wife is a light sleeper and is bothered by lights from the stereo, which I have to turn off every night.
The power button on the front switches it off i.e. the front indicator lights and the top window are completely blank.
Thanks!
When set to ‘Dim’ the coloured control balls on the Hugo, Qutest, and TT ranges are only barely lit. When in ‘bright’ mode they throw multicoloured rays onto nearby walls when the room is fully darkened.