Controls, indicators and remotes

Features, settings and controls

Answers on this topic

• What do the colored indicators mean (volume, sample rate, charging), and is a volume color the same level across Chord DACs?
• Which output level should I feed my amp: Qutest's 1, 2 or 3 V setting, TT2's DAC mode or gain, or the volume control?
• Why does my Hugo 2 switch itself off, and how does standby work on the battery-powered DACs?

Everything he said on this topic (90)

One-line summaries in our words, oldest first. Each link opens the original.

• 2014-04-18Watts explains Hugo's volume preset mode came from matching Qute for comparisons, and that the settings-memory feature was dropped because the FPGA was full after adding crossfeed and DSD. Head-Fi, Apr 2014
• 2014-05-11Watts explains the auth light: the FPGA checks a scrambled DNA code in flash to prevent copying, then unmutes and lights it; owners can treat it as an on light. Head-Fi, May 2014
• 2014-05-17Watts says each volume color covers 3 steps of 1dB, a compromise between range and distinguishable colors. Head-Fi, May 2014
• 2014-05-17Watts says the volume steps are in dB, so two colors double or halve the output, giving the same resolution whatever the headphone sensitivity. Head-Fi, May 2014
• 2014-09-02Watts gives Hugo's volume colors in dB: each color typically covers three 1 dB levels, white covers 0 to +18dB, and the -4dB preset gives 3V RMS to match Qute. Head-Fi, Sep 2014
• 2015-03-14Watts defends Hugo's color volume display, gives its range from +18 dB (white) to -70 dB (dark brown), prefers digital volume to pots, and says Project xxxx keeps the colors. Head-Fi, Mar 2015
• 2015-04-30Watts says maximum unclipped output is a little over 5V RMS into 300 ohms, the 37V figure is just a spreadsheet entry, and pressing crossfeed at power-up sets 3V RMS at 0 dBFS. Head-Fi, Apr 2015
• 2015-05-16Watts says the light is an authorization indicator showing the FPGA's 512-bit encrypted key matches its unique DNA, which prevents copying Hugo's FPGA. Head-Fi, May 2015
• 2015-12-04Watts says using Dave's headphone socket shuts down RCA and XLR via relays, restores the last headphone volume and enables crossfeed. Head-Fi, Dec 2015
• 2016-02-18Watts says the crossfeed settings are 0 for none, 1 minimum and 3 maximum, the same as Hugo. Head-Fi, Feb 2016
• 2016-02-25Watts says display blanking is normal: the display reads from flash, which cannot be read and written at once, so it blanks while settings are saved. Head-Fi, Feb 2016
• 2016-02-25Watts says the right button must be held at least a second to change the PCM+/DSD+ mode, and the unit should sound fabulous straight out of the box. Head-Fi, Feb 2016
• 2016-03-19Watts says Dave has no control electronics beyond the FPGA, cutting RF noise but forcing him to code everything including the display; he ran out of time for remote numbers. Head-Fi, Mar 2016
• 2016-09-14Watts says display blanking when settings are saved is normal because flash memory cannot be read while being written, and refers a remote problem to the dealer. Head-Fi, Sep 2016
• 2016-10-28Watts says Chord's new remote works like the old one, and expects reversing the Schuko plug to make no difference as DAVE is transformer coupled; warmer would mean less RF. Head-Fi, Oct 2016
• 2016-11-21Watts says that to prevent accidental mode switching, the right or left button must be held for at least one second after the plus menu is selected. Head-Fi, Nov 2016
• 2017-02-20Watts confirms dual data mode works and says he is adding a cyan source-switch color to indicate it. Head-Fi, Feb 2017
• 2017-03-18Watts says the display brightness can be set as on Mojo, is fine in sunlight, and is not too bright at night on the low setting. Head-Fi, Mar 2017
• 2017-04-12Watts says output voltage into 300 ohms and volume colors match Mojo, the wheel has no click steps and shows two colors, and the remote steps volume. Head-Fi, Apr 2017
• 2017-04-12Watts confirms it is the same and says the remote has a nice click action. needs context Head-Fi, Apr 2017
• 2017-04-12Watts says to press the filter and crossfeed buttons together during the start-up rainbow; pressing them together afterward changes display brightness. Head-Fi, Apr 2017
• 2017-04-12Watts says it remembers all settings except the 3 V preset, which holds until the volume is adjusted. Head-Fi, Apr 2017
• 2017-06-03Watts says there are no different protocols: Hugo 2 uses the Hugo TT remote protocol. Head-Fi, Jun 2017
• 2017-06-04Watts says Hugo TT's remote decoding was not his design, Hugo 2 decodes it in the FPGA, and DAVE uses the same FPGA implementation with different codes and never misfires. Head-Fi, Jun 2017
• 2017-06-05Watts says Hugo 2 remembers its last settings and explains desktop mode: charger current matches draw, sustaining voltage drops, auto shutdown is disabled, and it runs with no battery. Head-Fi, Jun 2017
• 2017-08-09Watts says Chord's indicator colors follow the rainbow, black to violet with white as maximum; a display would cost money better spent on sound, though color-blind users lose out. Head-Fi, Aug 2017
• 2017-08-21Watts says 32 kHz NICAM is obsolete; Hugo 2's SPDIF inputs still accept it, shown red (26 to 45.2 kHz), while USB supports only 44.1 to 768 kHz. Head-Fi, Aug 2017
• 2017-08-31Watts says it auto shuts down after 10 minutes without SPDIF lock or valid USB 5V on the USB input, in case it is switched on in a bag. Head-Fi, Aug 2017
• 2017-11-16Watts says if a Chord DAC's volume is not at full white the output is never voltage limited, so extra voltage headroom makes no difference. Head-Fi, Nov 2017
• 2017-11-30Watts says three clicks down on the remote will set the output to 2.12V. needs context Head-Fi, Nov 2017
• 2017-12-09Watts says the idea came from John Franks and calls it a very neat solution to control and display simultaneously. needs context article, Dec 2017
• 2018-01-09Watts says Qutest ships with a 2A supply but works on 1A 5V; pressing both buttons during the rainbow start-up sets output voltage, otherwise it changes display brightness. Head-Fi, Jan 2018
• 2018-01-10Watts says Qutest remembers all configuration settings, and its BNC inputs are individually selected and switch automatically into dual data mode. Head-Fi, Jan 2018
• 2018-04-25Watts says USB runs at 32 bits with 16-bit sources zero-padded; the source must not upsample, so check 44.1k files show red. Head-Fi, Apr 2018
• 2018-07-28Watts says flashing lights mean the FPGA failed authorization at power-up, likely from a power interruption; removing and reapplying power fixes it, and nothing is wrong. Head-Fi, Jul 2018
• 2018-08-07Watts says yes, by pressing the DX volume buttons together on the Hugo M Scaler, and TT2 has a DIM setting that dims everything. needs context Head-Fi, Aug 2018
• 2018-08-27Watts says it is the volume setting, sample rate is the color through the port, and the display shows both only when they change. needs context Head-Fi, Aug 2018
• 2018-08-28Watts explains he uses no coupling caps but a digital DC servo trimming the noise shaper, which takes 16 seconds to stabilize, hence the rainbow start-up and Dave's turn-on delay. Head-Fi, Aug 2018
• 2018-08-29Watts says an orange indicator means 48k, so the player converts 44.1k; yellow means 88.2k MQA unfold, which is lossy with a 22.05 kHz notch; original 44.1k is better. Head-Fi, Aug 2018
• 2018-09-04Watts says inputs can be selected with the source switch or remote, or auto mode picks a locked SPDIF or non-silent USB input, with USB taking priority. Head-Fi, Sep 2018
• 2018-10-28Watts explains how TT2's volume display shifts with gain mode and where it clips, and gives delays of 34 ms for Hugo 1 and 63 ms for TT2 with video. Head-Fi, Oct 2018
• 2018-11-05Watts says the OP SR light always stays on, even in auto shutdown. Head-Fi, Nov 2018
• 2018-11-14Watts says he has never used Krell, and that M Scaler pass-through follows the input rate, so 44.1 kHz playback turns Hugo 2's indicator red. Head-Fi, Nov 2018
• 2018-11-18Watts says TT2 needs no balance control with digital volume, a 705/768 indication means the M Scaler works, and suggests a week of listening before comparing pass-through. Head-Fi, Nov 2018
• 2018-12-11Watts says TT2's LED flash after mains power-up is the FPGA booting with tri-stated outputs, harmless, but he recommends using the front-panel standby switch instead. Head-Fi, Dec 2018
• 2019-01-09Watts confirms 768 kHz is reaching Hugo 2, since dual data is lit, the M scaler shows 48k, and Hugo 2 shows the right color. Head-Fi, Jan 2019
• 2019-01-24Watts maps TT2 filters to colors: filter 1 white (as Hugo 2), filter 2 green, filter 3 orange, filter 4 red. Head-Fi, Jan 2019
• 2019-02-05Watts says the output is a discrete class A stage with one feedback loop; the OP07Cs only integrate the digital DC servo, which takes 16 seconds during the rainbow display. Head-Fi, Feb 2019
• 2019-02-09Watts says a cyan input light shows M Scaler dual data and 1M taps; optical matching USB proves his DPLL removes source jitter, and simpler, lower-power sources sound better. Head-Fi, Feb 2019
• 2019-04-10Watts explains TT2's volume display shows absolute output, so switching gain changes the reading by 9 dB, and gives clipping points of -2L and +7H. Head-Fi, Apr 2019
• 2019-10-23Watts says the M scaler enters low power mode, not off, after ten minutes of digital silence, shown by the lone OP SR LED; pressing both DX buttons dims it. Head-Fi, Oct 2019
• 2019-11-18Watts confirms the manual: red is 1 V, green 2 V, blue 3 V. Head-Fi, Nov 2019
• 2020-02-11Watts says the remote uses standard RC5 code, mentions flying to CanJam NYC, and says proper DSP cannot create clicks while faulty USB data is a non-linear manipulation. Head-Fi, Feb 2020
• 2020-02-24Watts says TT2's amp mode and headphone mode differ only in active connectors and remembered settings, so gain settings are identical. Head-Fi, Feb 2020
• 2020-02-25Watts says the M Scaler and TT2 detect sample rate differently, and advises padding track changes with silence in JRiver or a re-sync delay in Roon. Head-Fi, Feb 2020
• 2020-09-15Watts says Dave's remote uses RC5 38 kHz codes except some codes, such as standby, which use a different code. Head-Fi, Sep 2020
• 2020-11-09Watts says Hugo 2 can be turned on or off by the remote as long as the charger is connected. Head-Fi, Nov 2020
• 2020-11-09Watts says remote power control needs only the charger connected; desktop mode just lowers battery voltage for longer life and stops auto shutdown. Head-Fi, Nov 2020
• 2021-04-06Watts says volume colors mean the same voltage across DAVE, TT2, Hugo 2 and Mojo (blue is 1.0V RMS), and all desktop DACs have galvanically isolated USB. Head-Fi, Apr 2021
• 2021-04-21Watts says Dave's XLR is pin 2 positive and pin 3 negative, so set Dave to negative phase if the power amp does not also invert. Head-Fi, Apr 2021
• 2021-07-23Watts says no Dave displays had failed per Matt, he runs his at setting 4, he has never seen significant burn-in, and the display MTTF exceeds 50,000 hours. Head-Fi, Jul 2021
• 2021-08-04Watts says TT2 draws a steady 12 to 13W, its standby is fine, and the M scaler keeps one LED on in low power mode, dimmable via both DX buttons. Head-Fi, Aug 2021
• 2022-01-31Watts says yes, and that his Mojo 2 presentation publishes what each volume color means in voltage. Darko.Audio 18:48
• 2022-02-08Watts says the UHD DSP has 3 overload bits so EQ never clips internally, but boosts require lower volume: Mojo 2 can clip at white, or violet with +6 dB. Head-Fi, Feb 2022
• 2022-03-05Watts says all his DACs are non-inverting, with DAVE offering a choice of positive or negative polarity. Head-Fi, Mar 2022
• 2022-03-19Watts says an indicator shows whether the volume is in the high or low range, and begins on the bass tone controls. MFG Audio Reviews 39:52
• 2022-03-19Watts says the EQ can fix headphone bass or sibilance at 3 kHz, skips the menus, will post the slides on Head-Fi, and notes plus and minus together mutes. MFG Audio Reviews 43:15
• 2022-03-19Watts says he spent much time making the controls intuitive, reports suggest they are easy to use, and there is a lockdown setting; he moves on to measurements. MFG Audio Reviews 44:00
• 2022-03-19Watts says four buttons at the same depth forced cylinders rather than balls, non-rotating is more elegant and less likely to rattle, and button design is not his domain. MFG Audio Reviews 58:17
• 2022-03-21Watts says he is using a Hugo 2 and lists the four filter colors: white HF off WTA2 on, green both on, orange both off, red HF on WTA2 off. Head-Fi, Mar 2022
• 2022-04-10Watts says Chord DACs have no balance control because digital volume needs no channel matching, but he could add one to future products if demanded. Head-Fi, Apr 2022
• 2022-05-18Watts quotes his Mojo 2 presentation: for 2 V output, set both volume LEDs to indigo. Head-Fi, May 2022
• 2022-06-29Watts says DAVE targets a half life over 25 years; connectors and the display are likely failure points, so use standby or display message mode (disp 4). Head-Fi, Jun 2022
• 2022-09-18Watts says John Franks and Chord do the metalwork and visuals, and the backlit colored LEDs show volume, correct sample rate and problems from across the room. The Source AV 7:42
• 2022-09-18Watts says the lovely thing about the TT2 is its volume control knob. The Source AV 9:00
• 2022-09-18Watts says it works really well, and Chord were hesitant when he showed them the buttons that would control the filter. needs context The Source AV 34:49
• 2022-09-18Watts agrees with a viewer that the colors are an issue for some people. The Source AV 42:26
• 2022-12-01Watts says Mojo 2 has no analog gain change; he raised volume steps from 96 to 128 for sensitive IEMs, with the menu button showing high or low range. Head-Fi, Dec 2022
• 2023-01-12Watts says he uses positive phase and sets the M scaler's HF filter off with DAVE, and that absolute phase differences are small and depend on recording and transducer. Head-Fi, Jan 2023
• 2023-01-13Watts explains absolute phase: positive initial pressure should reach the eardrum as positive; the switch inverts both channels because many recordings do not keep absolute phase. Head-Fi, Jan 2023
• 2023-03-12Watts quotes the Mojo 2 factory reset procedure that clears EQ and crossfeed, and says he left out an EQ on/off option to keep operation simple. Head-Fi, Mar 2023
• 2023-05-23Watts says all buttons flashing red indicates the over-temperature trip and asks whether the poster was playing and charging at once. Head-Fi, May 2023
• 2023-06-19Watts says the 16-second start-up rainbow lets the digital DC servo trim DC to microvolts before the output relays close, and also shows the last settings. Head-Fi, Jun 2023
• 2023-08-28Watts says the pulsing battery or charge status LED represents a heartbeat pumping charge into the battery. Head-Fi, Aug 2023
• 2023-12-16Watts says Qutest's sample rate display is accurate because the WTA filter must know the incoming rate, so a 96k file shown as red was sample rate converted by the source. Head-Fi, Dec 2023
• 2024-03-02Watts says that so long as the volume is not white it cannot clip, even with the maximum digital input of 0dBFS. Head-Fi, Mar 2024
• 2024-07-19Watts says flashing red lights indicate a thermal trip from a short on the outputs, likely an amplifier shorting its inputs when powered down, so remove the cable. Head-Fi, Jul 2024
• 2024-09-25Watts says a cold Hugo 2 showed no warm-up change, so in-flight brightness was headphones or ears, and Mojo 2 saves settings to FLASH only after menu mode times out. Head-Fi, Sep 2024
• 2024-12-11Watts says both indicators must be white for clipping, assuming no boost EQ; with +3dB EQ, go three steps down to avoid clipping at 0dBFS. needs context Head-Fi, Dec 2024
• 2026-03-24Watts says volume and EQ settings are now remembered separately for the 4.4 mm and 3.5 mm outputs, for owners using Mojo 2 at high volume on a desktop and with IEMs on the move. Audio Force 33:44