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Tag Archive for Chord

Modification updates in Fidelizer Mod products for Fiio X5iii and Chord Hugo TT

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Chord Products

 

Fiio is odexed ROM and support ART runtime so I deodexed the ROM to make best uses of ART runtime improve transparency and imaging. However, stock buffer stage opamp are tuned for odexed file making sound too bright in some systems.

It’s not Fiio’s fault with their choice of buffer stage opamp doesn’t have sound signature matching with deodexed ROM. To resolve this case of incompatibility, I adjusted Fidelizer Mod level to upgrade opamps first in Reference and capacitors in Signature level.

I also made some adjustments to Chord TT product. Chord Hugo TT is more like battery powered home component so replacing 3.5 with 2.5 won’t be necessary so I chose to apply internal damping tweaks to improve device’s performance instead.

These changes won’t affect any client who applied FIdelizer Mod for Fiio X5iii before so they won’t need to send device back for adjustments. I’ll release non-deodex ROM updates for Fiio devices shortly later.

Added Chord Hugo/Hugo 2/Hugo TT into Fidelizer Mod products

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Chord Products

 

After modding Chord Mojo for a while, I also receive inquiries to modify Chord Hugo and Hugo TT too. After accepting some works in Thailand, now I’m sure I can make Chord Hugo and Hugo TT sounding better for everyone with satisfying improvements.

 

Chord Mojo

Reference – The reason why Chord Mojo has powerful sound yet a bit veiled is because it can push 720mW at 8 ohm load but I’m not sure if resistors can really handle at full load so I upgraded 6 output resistors with 1% tolerance, 750mW output and 2 highend grade capacitors used in DX200.

Signature – I upgraded 2 input capacitors for USB charging and battery then tap battery directly to Mojo circuit board with high purity copper for full sound dynamics. I also replaced additional headphone jack with 2.5 termination using best silver-plated contacts.

I wish I could make Ultimate modification with Chord Mojo but I couldn’t find clock module worth upgrading from stock ones yet. Also, for about $300 modification cost for Signature level mod is surprisingly great enough for me to feel satisfied with decent DSD tracks from David Elias.

-Upgrade 6 output resistor with 1% tolerance and 750mW output for uncapped performance at 8 ohm load
-Upgrade 2 output capacitor with the same highend grade ones used in DX200’s Fidelizer Ultimate Mod
-Upgrade 2 input capacitor for charging and battery with best ones for solid sound performance
-Modify battery module to use direct connection with high purity copper wiring for full sound dynamics
-Replace additional output jack for 2.5 termination with silver-plated contact for balanced ground topology design

 

Chord Hugo / Hugo 2

Reference – The reason why Chord Hugo sounds harsh and unforgiving was due to stock capacitors implemented for best specifications in budget. Upgrading capacitors will resolve this harshness and improve musicality a lot.

Signature – Chord Hugo use dual mono battery design so tapping battery to Hugo circuit board directly will require amount of work. I also replaced additional headphone jack with 2.5 termination using best silver-plated contacts.

I never liked Chord Hugo when it came out and I was little reluctant to accept modding Chord Hugo unit from DX200 with Fidelizer Ultimate Mod customer. After listening to modified Chord Hugo, I was truly blown away beyond expectations.

-Upgrade tantalum capacitor with highend grade ones fixing harshness sound signature
-Upgrade aluminum capacitor for charging and output stage for solid sound performance
-Modify battery module to use direct connection with high purity copper wiring for full sound dynamics
-Replace additional output jack for 2.5 termination with silver-plated contact for balanced ground topology design

 

Chord Hugo TT

Reference – Stock unit already sound decent but signal wire to output circuit board can be improved for much better audio performance. I also upgraded aluminum capacitors in main circuit board a bit.

Signature – Tantalum capacitor in Hugo TT doesn’t produce harshness like Hugo so I put this upgrade in Signature level for further improvements. I also applied some internal damping in unit to reduce interference making more analogue sound.

As Chord Hugo TT is very heavy, I need to factor additional shipping cost for each level too. Output capacitors are fine grade already so upgrading on this part should come after other mods in Ultimate level.

As you can see from picture that I upgraded other internal cables and opamps are upgraded too. I thought about adding them into Ultimate level but I should leave those as optional customizable options.

-Applied internal damping in main unit to reduce interference making more analogue sound
-Upgrade tantalum capacitor with highend grade ones improving transparency and imaging
-Upgrade aluminum capacitor for charging and output stage for solid sound performance
-Upgrade signal wire to output circuit board for fuller dynamics and musicality

 

Since these new products cost me about the same so I’ll change Chord Mojo to Chord Products with product model options. I’ll add more Fidelizer Mod products based on my past works and and finalize its design for Portable Products soon. 🙂

Fidelizer Mod accepts modding your unit now!

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Chord Mojo - Fidelizer Signature Mod

 

Back then we used to have screen issues with early DX200 units which can be a complicated case to handle with Fidelizer Mod. I resolved this case by offering Fidelizer Mod with a new unit to minimize the risks of getting defective screen while applying Fidelizer Mod to DX200.

Since DX200 has defective touch screen issue resolved and most units got their screen fixed, I’m ready to officially accept products from customers to apply Fidelizer Mod. You can order Fidelizer Mod product from website and I’ll send shipping information after receiving your order.

Aside from Fiio X5iii, iBasso DX200 and Chord Mojo, I also modify all other units. Here’s what I’ve done and going to do since last two months.

Emm Labs DCC2 SE
Oppo UDP-203
Oppo UDP-205
DX90
DX100
DX200
Fiio X5iii
Opus #2
AK120mk2
AK120ii
AK240
AK380
AK380Cu
Cowon Plenue 1
Chord Mojo
Chord Hugo
Chord Poly
Lawtoo Paw Gold
HM802
HM901
HM901S
Onkyo DP-X1A
iPod Classic

I also heard from clients about DAP getting a shorter life-cycle so it might be better idea to switch to a new DAP rather than modding. I’ve been on this journey since early days of iPod and iRiver (which became Astell & Kern) so I’d like to share some thoughts based on my experience.

 

Fidelizer Mod - Emm Labs

 

Getting a new DAP doesn’t mean it’ll always improve sound quality. Sometimes it’s more like getting a different flavor with different DAC chip or parts that cost about the same. You’ll see some audiophiles preferring older models from time to time.

You can upgrade your DAP with good reasons such as it has new features that benefits you like adding balanced headphone, full Android platform with streaming support, design looks cool and you like it. Go ahead. Take it and enjoy it. No harm no foul to buy what we like.

However, selling and buying a new ones will probably cost you over $100 up to $300 per upgrade. Using that budget to modify your product for real improvements might not sound bad for some devices like Fiio X5iii and iBasso DX200.  They’re decent models packed with lots of features and can be improved a lot with Fidelizer Mod. 🙂