Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 REVIEW A Perfect Modern HiFi Component DAC PRE Headphone Amplifier
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 เม.ย. 2020
- Welcome to Pursuit Perfect System
In this video I review the Excellent Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 DAC, Preamplifier, Headphone Amplifier and Amplifier. I think the Hugo TT 2 is a Perfect Modern HiFi Component and I disucss why in the review.
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Something that I think is IMPORTANT to point out - the TT2 has masses of output power for what it is and some people are using it as an amplifier with certain speakers - BUT ITS NOT DESIGNED AS AN AMPLIFIER or essentially to replace one which is a very important distinction - I am sorry if my comments in the videos regards to this were not explained fully and have led to any confusion about this - certainly not done on purpose!!
It's not an amp, but it's an incredible digital audio converter and preamp to be fed into an amp right?
I have an aries g1 and was going to replace with g2.1. But could I keep the g1, and use a chord scalar and chord tt2 instead to deliver jitter free performance of the auralic g2.1? Speakers would be ATC SCM 40 Active
Had the TT2 for a month, incredible. Bought it primarily to drive headphones but it is as a straight dac into my main system that I feel the true impact
Great video, Terry and thanks for putting so much effort into this TT 2 review for us.
On your final point about having more 'pure' DACs (rather than those with headphone amps/preamps etc.) Chord Electronics' Qutest did exactly that for music lovers who loved what Hugo 2 did, but didn't need a headphone amp, pre or the portability from a battery-enabled device. In doing that, the company dropped the price in the process (Hugo 2 £1,800; Qutest £1,195). So, pleasingly, they do listen to feedback like yours (all welcome observations, BTW) and you never know what the future holds!
I picked one of these up used the other day dude and can say it is just unreal. Im hearing new things in even some of my own music i produced years back that i know intimately well. It presents even the busiest tracks in such a well rounded way you can still distinguish the various elements its almost like it puts you above the whole mix - i was noticing it loads the other day when using with full size headphones. Beyond amazing i have been going through loads of music , had to stop digging for a few days to just listen to as much of my collection as possible. Its also added even more like butter smoothness to my powered speakers and has given the low end much more control, like instantly noticeable control. Really impressed with this bit of gear .
Excellent overview and review! I share the same sentiments when it comes to DAC only duties required by me. I hope you can get word to the bosses at Chord to give us a stripped out version with only the DAC functionality.
Excellent review! Lots of useful details. Thank you!
Great video, as always! I've owned the first TT for a while. The TT2 is definitely on my long-term roadmap; I have yet to hear a DAC that comes close.
Just ordered this Dac of all trades! I wonder what it would sound like, running directly into my Klipsch forte 3’s 8ohms, 99db sensitively 🤔 .Excellent review by the way. Made my order at Nintronics ltd, thanks to your video. Can’t wait to use it.
Thanks for the review. Very informative for people who are on the fence with this product.
Enjoyed watching, great review. 👍 thx.
Thanks Terry, nice detailed video. Cheers from across the pond (USA). Stay safe...
My dream product is actually one integrated box from Chord that includes the full functionality of the TT2 but with a streamer built-in, along with a purifi 2 x 250w amp and the M Scaler! One box, connected to my speakers, my TV and my streaming services. With upscaling and bags of power, and a killer dac. That would be a groundbreaking product. Hell...let's throw in Dirac as well!
I heard my friends TT2 that he received a few weeks ago. He uses it with Pass power and pre in DAC mode with Audio Physic speakers with a Project streamer, nothing too expensive but that streamer is all that is needed.. The sound is very gorgeous. Stunning sound from such a small devise. It really has to be heard to appreciate. I think it does need really high quality amp and speakers. I'm thinking of getting one now, but it seems you have to wait weeks and weeks. Many lust after the Dave. So did I. I'd be more than happy with this sound! Terry describes it really well.
Good review, thanks Terry.
It would be ideal if Chord developed a streamer to compliment the TT2, maybe even a plug in option like they've developed for the Hugo with the 2go. It would be the perfect little desktop system with the streaming option and MScaler.
Loved your review Terry. It certainly is a desirable product.
Thanks Steve mate, appreciate it
Couldn't agree more regarding a pure Chord Dac for a hifi rig. I never use headphones and I am completely in love with my integrated valve amp. I have been on the lookout for a good standalone Dac for more than a year. Probably going for Holo Audio Spring2 Extreme DAC custom upgraded by Wildism in HK (Kitsune sell a similar product in the US and Magna Hifi in Europe) fed via HQPlayer. It's a NOS Dac and with HQPlayer I feel it gives amazing value and flexibility. Looks wonderful too, I have my wife's blessing as it's very interior design friendly being black and copper. Really enjoy your straight forward reviews. If I were in the UK, I'd be a customer for sure as I appreciate the value you bring to our hobby. Thanks for all the work mate.
Thanks Roy for the kind comments - to explain I think people think I am a shop, but I am not a shop - I am a completely independent reviewer who loves all this stuff hence the passion for it :)
@@PursuitPerfectSystem OOOOps, my mistake. Then obviously you should get into audio retail...simples ;)
Haha thanks there are TH-cam channels that are like that but when they promote a product they sell it cheapens the promotion in my eyes because of course they are going to say great things about it - I dont want people to think that about me :) I am an honest person, too honest sometimes
Interested dac for sure !
My new Gato dia 250 npm int amp has dac and streamer ,its bloody awesome
If I could afford it, Chord's DAVE and M Scaler would immediately be a part of my system. I've auditioned them on a dealer set up and at a Audio Expo show. They are superb. They are magical on 70's vinyl pressings. That being the case, I have absolutely no doubt that Terry's evaluation of the Hugo TT2 is right on the money (I haven't had the pleasure of personally auditioning it).
It's a lot more affordable and still really excellent it's my favourite of them all but not everyone agrees with me on that which is to be expected :)
David Rivera does the m scaler have an analogue input? How did you listen to vinyl connections wise?
You nailed it. I am only interested in the TT2 as a replacement of my Qutest, which is a DAC only. If only there were a TT2 DAC only product.
FWIW, there is a 6 to 8 *week* waitlist for the HugoTT2 (at least in my area). While I would like Chord to have just a DAC only version of the TT2, I have pulled the trigger on one with a goal to add an MScaler sometime in the future. :)
The balanced connections are major and the pre amp facility and you might use the headphones from time to time as well. I have ended up using it a bit but my situation is a little different
Hi there,
The timing of this video was brilliant for me. I have been testing this product for two weeks and have virtually made up my mind to trade in my Hugo2 for it. I previously tested the new 2Go streamer, which has many good qualities, but certainly it did not improve the overall performance of the Hugo2, which the TT2 quite clearly does. I think it is a marvellous product, but I entirely agree with the comment that it does more than many potential purchasers, including myself, actually need and this is obviously reflected in the price. My use will be entirely with headphones, especially my fantastic Focal Utopias. I will thus always view the TT2 as a great DAC and headphone amp. I am not entirely sure I can justify paying almost £4,000 for a product capable of doing far more than I will ever require, but what the hell. I expect I will go for it anyway!
I think using the TT2 as a dac headphone amp you are getting a lot of the better use out of it and the price is justified to that end, especially if you have already spent time with something like a Hugo 2
Pursuit Perfect System Thanks for the helpful comments. I tend to go by first impressions. The Utopias blew my mind when I first heard them and they still do. The TT2s did exactly the same. You have now convinced me to go ahead and perhaps I can quote you if my Wife ever discovers what they cost!
@@michaelwadge5999 hahaha great comment
I always heard of DACs but never actually used one before, after hearing you speak of the tt2 I wouldn't mind investing in one, by the way very clear and concise explanation, I have a hifi system more of a small dj I should say, the xlr outputs of my midi controller goes to the inputs of my dbx driverack, then I have three outputs that goes to ( high amp) ( mid amp) and bass amp. My question to you is where in the audio chain should I connect the tt2. Thank you
I own one and agree. Best I have owned. Traded out my simaudio dac and headphone amp for it. Amazing. MScaler on the way...
How did you find the M Scaler in comparison to the TT2 alone? What speakers are you using? Just interested. Love my TT2, have it going into Cambridge Edge A with Elac Adante speakers. Thanks
@@keithbertschin1213 I only use headphones. With the Abyss AB-1266 it makes a tremendous difference.
@@dscmatr thank you Sir appreciate the response. By all accounts the m scaler is amazing, gonna have to I think, take care
Check out the Naim Atom... streamer, Dac, pre amp, amp, headphone amp and upgradable... and sounds awesome.
Thanks for the review, personally I agree with the notion that if you just want a stand alone dac then then it may be more applicable to look elsewhere ...
Well you can but the Qutest as a stand alone but the TT2 is better and offers more. It would be great to see a TT2 quality stand alone DAC but I use it all the time as a DAC PRE so having the extra options like this can be useful and very usable :)
Yes Terry. TT2 DAC quality, in the form of Qutest. At around £2000/2500. I am using 2qute and would like to step up to TT2. But 4k is pretty hard for non audiophiles, to understand. That is the starting of a good holiday ect..
Yes, its the price of a holiday , but holidays are 2-3 weeks, the TT2 is every day for how many years, I think that is the justification when you compare to a holiday :)
I would love to hear a TT2 connected to a pair of Klipschorn speakers
I aslo own the TT2 as my headphone rig, i still have the Mojo and owned the Hugo2 in the past.
The TT2 is obviously the best headphone amp-DAC i've ever owned.
Do you mean hugo 2 or hugo 2 tt there is very big difference in price etc :)
If you dont need the headphone output then the qutest will be perfect for you and a lot more affordable
Terry, great review, I recently upgraded my DAC to Hugo TT2 and added the M Scaler! I am now looking to upgrade my amplifier. Can you recommend 2 or 3 candidates besides the TToby? (LS50 speakers - which I adore).
TT2 and M Scaler is a knockout source component with very little to touch it. Great choice.
Hugo TT2 compared with the new Audio Analogue AAdac (Sabre dac) would be very interesting
Oh yes it is a truly perfect component. As for TT2 vs Mojo. There is really nothing to compare. The difference is HUGE. At the beginning it doesn't seem to be so big. But after you listen TT2 for some time (like week or so) you just can't back to Mojo. Add M scaler on top of that and it's game over.
Game over until TT3 and Super MSCALER come along...
Thanks for the video! What streamer did you use with Hugo TT2?
I have used 2 with the TT2 I have used the miniDSP SHD Studio and in my main review system I use a custom computer I have built for dedicated digital music transport purposes
I'd rather get a Naim uniti Star or the like with appropriate speakers for just a bit more than the TT 2. That would be an end game for most folk. I'd need the full package rather than a box.
Just got the M-Scaler and Hugo TT 2. What Filter on the TT 2 would be best for Headphones?
Looking at a music streamer.. getting confused looking at a Matrix element X and Auralic Altiar G1 and the unit you are previewing.could you please tell me in layman's terms what is the difference in between these 3 regarding just the sound not the DACs used or features . Every review talks about features and on and on ..at the end of the day I'm just interested in the sound being natural not electronic.can you please advise me budget two thousand pounds.
Just for fun can you compare this guy toi a $300 Aune X8 Magic Dac that has a similar type of FPGA design piggybacked to a Saber 9038
Will the headphone amp drive the susvara , HE6 , and 1266 phi tc to its fullest ? Lcdx isn’t enough to really test the capability of this amp. Is the m scaler like a powerman from xi audio or Hypsos from ferrum audio ?
Hi Terry, great video. Can you connect a Dap to it like the AK380, Questyle QP2R or Sony WM1Z with a cable? Hope you and your family are keeping safe and well during these difficult times. At the Bristol show last year on the last day unknowingly I caught the virus and ended up in bed for four weeks solid.
Hi Anthony I dont know those exact products to suggest what would be best but yes the TT2 has multiple digital inputs like optical usb and bnc SPDIF and they should cover what you need
As a happy Qutest owner this was an interesting review and a tempting purchase, but out of my price range!
"...Rob Watts the _infamous_ digital designer" - Infamous?! I obviously don't know Mr Watts, but unless Zeroes
have taken him to the Digital Hague for crimes against Ones, you probably meant 'reknowned', but not infamous?
I gotta get the M scaler to pair with my Qutest. That will surpass the TT2 on its own.
You wont regret buying that :)
Pursuit Perfect System I am hoping so! A big price tag. Almost have enough to get it. Be speaking with you in the future cause Chord and your videos rule!!! :)
you will need the Qutest 2
How good is the MiniDSP with Dirac Live for compensating the low frequencies? Say room modes.
Dirac Live is a stand alone software solution - the hardware you run it on doesn't affect how it works, it affects how it sounds to a degree because hardware has a sound and it affects the user experience with how well Dirac is integrated and how stable the hardware is. Dirac does an amazing job of the full frequency range sound management when you know what you are doing - it puts the user in total control if someone is not having a great time with it its down to the users understanding of what they are seeing / hearing and they making adjustments to get the result they want - so a learning curve does accompany it but that is a good thing because its teaching you things you should already know :)
Pursuit Perfect System
That is clear to me, but you have to use some kind of system to execute the Dirac adaptions, like a program on a laptop. Since I use an Auralic streamer I can not use Dirac, so I bought a MiniDSP (lowest model) with Dirac but the results are not amazing because the hardware. It converts analoge to digital, make Dirac corrections happen, convert digital to analog and further to the amplifier. The DAC in the MiniDSP is OK but of the quality I like. Soo which device is good between DAC & Amp to do the processing.
Kind regards
There are many DACs that both has preamp functions, and headphone function these days. DACs that are only DACs is not common.
Hi, do you know if you can connect active studio monitors through an XLR cable directly to this Chord? Cheers
yes you can
I have a Qutest and am debating adding an M-Scaler or just buying a TT2. Not sure which route to take.
Sell it and by a bartok.
@@yeahright3733 Bad advise. The price of a Bartok is a huge amount more than a Chord TT2 + M-Scaler or DAVE. TT2 has a better & more powerful head amp than Bartok.
@@rustygates3367 Reviews of qutest and tt2 are mixed as well as for any Chord product, but every review of the Bartok is outstanding. I use. Dcs Debussy and prefer it to any other DAC I have heard, by a large amount. You can find them for $5000, and use a benchmark hp4 and that combo would be far superior to almost anything. I even prefer the $700 ares 2 r2r dac to any chord dac.
@@yeahright3733 Don't know where you get the "mixed" reviews for Chord products for, every review I've seen of the TT2 is beyond stellar. Even the Chord Qutest, being put through ASR's stringent measurement testing got the recommendation from Amirm, price aside. The Chord DAVE won the RMAF HiFi Press best DAC of the year twice in a row (2016 & 2017), beating out the hugely overpriced DCS Vivaldi, not to mention it measures better. A DCS Debussy from 2012 has nothing on a TT2, or a TT2 & M-Scaler, I am not sure where you even got that from other than pure dCS fanboyism. I didn't even get to mention the TT2 can drive down to 20W into 4 ohm loads with a peak current output of 5A (XLR) and 7.3W into 8ohm (Single Ended / Headphone out), something the Benchmark HPA4 simply cannot do, so can drive efficient speaker loads directly.
For the price of a Bartok with the HeadAmp (AUD 27,000), I got the TT2 + M-scaler, Focal Utopia's with the Danacable Lazuli Reference, Farad Super3 SuperCap Linear PSU, top end BNC, DC & power cables, and still had $4000 left over to put towards my floor standing speaker fund! And the TT2+M-Scaler will still smash the Bartok in all round performance! And finally, @Pursuit Perfect System uses TT2 & M-Scaler for all reviews this point forth, and the quality shows.
@@rustygates3367 That is your opinion. Have you even heard any DCS product? if not, then you cannot say for sure. There are plenty of negative reviews of chord products being over-priced and just meh. I have yet to come across a negative review of any DCS product.
Purely on sound quality wise. Whats better. Chord tt2 on its own v chord qutest and m scaler?
Tough question to answer that one I would need to directly test it to answer it and it all depends on how both are being used
@@PursuitPerfectSystem cd playback only. Cheers.
I feel like if I don’t also buy the M-Scaler at the same time, I’m not getting the full potential of the TT2’s DAC. $5k here in the US would be a challenge, but with both, it’s kind of out of reach. Especially when you consider Denafriis has upscaling built in.
Not all upsacaling is created equal and wont sound the same - with gear at this level you should lsten to it first to make sure, its too much money otherwise. This is a nice dac without the m scaler
Excellent review as usual Terry. Did you use the TT2 with an improved power supply or with the stock one? If yes, have you noticed any improvements in sound quality? Thanks
Stock
The cost of a unit could actually go up instead of down if you remove features simply because the market for the unit goes down when you reduce the number of features. So the retail price may actually go up, and you have less functionality.
Great point well made
Terry if you think this is the perfect hifi device I can't wait until you can get your hands and ears on a dCS Bartok. I sold my TT2 and Mscaler to upgrade to Bartok. I prefer the Bartok over the Dave as well (I like the Dave without the mscaler) a big plaus is that the Bartok is also a streamer and roon endpoint as well. It is a really clean and transparent preamp as well.
I have a Bartok too. How are you getting on with the lack of gapless playback? I never had this issue with the Qutest.
I do love the Bartok too - very much so - but sometimes, this grates.
creditingkarma Yes but the DCS is 10 grand , Hugo TT 2 ,
4 grand 🤔
I am obviously very interested to spend time with a Bartok. As a product it also is a modern hifi component that offers over 4 things haha :)
The Bartok is undoubtedly a good piece of equipment and although Terry's video is about the TT2 just to say that I have corresponded at length with someone who sold his Dave to get the Bartok. Having now lived with the Bartok he is realising he much prefers the Dave after all and is selling the Bartok to get the Dave again. He mentioned several aspects of the Bartok sound quality compared to the Dave which resonate with why Dave is still my preferred DAC of choice so far.
@@nickwavehighfidelity7651 This is interesting. I love my Bartok, I doubt I will ever get rid of it, yet I find aspects of the Qutest more appealing. I guess the only to win at this sound game is to own both. Chord TT2/DAVE ahoy! ;)
What speakers are those?
Boenicke W5
Ideally you want to run it with an ifi ipower power supply, go for the 15 volts 4 amps noise floor 0.00000.1., much better than the cord crap much more hefty bass better mid-range more defined top end. You should look at the RME ADI -2 dac that has room correction paragraphic EQ £800 better than the qutest in balanced output.
Did you try the Hugo on different voltage line output settings did it make any difference, especially for Valve amplifiers you want a high output.
Parametric eq is ok used it for years until Dirac came along, wont be going back to it John. I have 2 ifi iPower X here to review soon with a few other bits, not 15v ones though - they only have 1.5amp at 15v according to the website
@@PursuitPerfectSystem
There is for the micro they call it a special order don't know why 15 volts 4 amps. www.analogueseduction.net/power-supplies/ifi-micro-ipower-supply-new.html
it's got both DSP room correction on the RME and parametric EQ.
the parametric EQ can be used for speakers and headphones In conjunction with DSP
@@PursuitPerfectSystem www.futureshop.co.uk/ifi-audio-ipower-plus-15v-for-pro-ican-and-pro-idsd?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6eDaw5GG6QIVia3tCh0etQC9EAQYASABEgJnFfD_BwE
@@johnsweda2999 that would be good on headphones.
The micro and the ipowerx is only a1.2/ 1.5v max at 15v but the brick style might have the minerals
Pursuit Perfect System yeah the idsd 15v 4A, or sbooster make some good power supplies
Terry great review.
About cheapish ready made adapters (XLR to banana) then perhaps consider the following although PLEASE CHECK to see if the XLR win wiring is correct:
www.flashbacksales.co.uk/acatalog/2-x-3-pole-female-xlr-speaker-sockets-4-x-4mm-in-line-sockets-cable-set-372.html
Rumour has it that Rob Watts uses the rca (not XLR) outputs of the TT2 to drive at home his Bowers & Wilkins 803 D3's.
Japsal I would happily make my own cables - do you know the pinout wiring? Thanks
a well designed dual mono ak4399 dac should be very need in term of performance
the chord tt2 cost max 200-300$ to produce
lex Tr3 the Xilinx chip in the TT2 is over $100. Also there is the development cost and the case is not cheap to make either it is milled from aluminum billet. The am 4399 is not current I am sure that you meant the 4499eq.
Sorry Terry, without sounding like an arse, when I’m paying $5k+ I don’t ‘appreciate’ anything, I expect
Hahaha Fair point :)