Hugo Can Weave Magic: The Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 Desktop Headphone Amplifier
/The Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 is the latest evolution to the Hugo family, following the original portable Hugo DAC/headphone amplifier, Hugo TT(desktop), and Hugo 2 (portable) units. All three previous Hugos offered excellent sound, features and build quality. TT2 capitalises upon that foundation…
that shiny chord badge does give us the shivers
The original Hugo was a tiny bit bright sounding for many people and the original Hugo TT didn’t have quite enough output power for some of the more demanding (read high-end) headphones out there. The Hugo 2 fixed the somewhat bright sound of the original Hugo and then some, but predictably it lacks the power necessary for the aforementioned harder-to-drive cans. It’s a lovely bit of kit, but it’s not quite perfect.
jimi, he approves of all the purple. (these photos aren’t just thrown together you know)
Chord Electronics have realised that the majority of Hugo TT owners use them as a stationary piece of hi-fi, which rather negates the need for the original incarnation’s internal batteries. The space these batteries took up in the TT1, have been redesigned to accommodate six ‘super capacitors’.
These super capacitors allow for much higher maximum output power, which better enables the TT2 to drive those dashed tricky headphones; The Hi-FiMan Susvara being a notorious example. Offering up 7.3W at 8 ohms single ended, and 18W at 8 ohms from the balanced outputs on the rear of the device, there aren’t many headphones the TT2 can’t handle.
those single-ended and balanced output stages
someone’s been busy with the cnc lathe. by eck it’s gorgeous.
Opening the TT2 packaging, you are greeted with a sleek, compact, solid piece of engineering. One thing we have noticed with Chord products, in the headphone market in particular, is that they are almost unrivalled in terms of build quality. All the buttons and knobs, (or in this case a backlit textured sphere,) have the perfect feel. Not stiff to turn, they always feel light and nicely damped. Speaking of backlit spheres, it’s a quirky and interesting way to indicate the current volume on the device. Whilst not everyone is enthused by Chord’s ‘marbles’, they are an innovative way to convey the sample rate, volume, etc that you are currently experiencing. They’re rather fun and it demonstrates that Chord Electronics don’t take themselves terribly seriously, except with regard to the sound of their hi-fi.
IS IT PINK? MAGENTA MAYBE? EITHER WAY AND IN THE WORDS OF THE INIMITABLE bOB SMITH: IT’S HOT HOT HOT.
Our store reference DAC is the Chord DAVE. Supreme clarity, detail, and definition, it has few rivals. There are other DACs out there, but I have not heard an arguably better one. It would be wrong not to admit that their different flavours may appeal to you more. The only problem with DAVE in terms of headphone replay is that it only offers 2W out of its headphone socket. Enough for many headphones, but not for the aforementioned hard to drive ones.
The savvy headphone enthusiast then, should consider a TT2 with Chord Electronic’s M-Scaler. A two-box system that is powerful, as well as being the closest to a DAVE in terms of performance as anything else we’ve heard.
THOSE TWIN BNC SOCKETS ARE WHERE ONE WILL CONNECT AN M-SCALER. it generates SO MUCH INFORMATION, ONE COAXIAL CABLE CAN’T CARRY IT ALL. note two optical inputs next to the all-important usb-b socket. how else are you to enjoy dsd?
DAVE is king of micro detail, has a more transparent and nuanced presentation than the TT2.
The TT2, however seems to have a bit more meat on its bones, and is a touch warmer than DAVE. Both are superb DACs and it is a case of your budget and use, as to which you should choose. If you listen via speakers the majority of the time, then DAVE is king. However, if like a great many music fans you prefer to use headphones, the TT2 is the way to go. Partnered with the M-Scaler, it can be argued that it’s the more enjoyable option. Mind you, once you’ve heard DAVE with an M-Scaler….
it’ll even decode bluetooth, should you require it. more handy than you might anticipate.
The TT2 is a superb all in one device. There truly isn’t much it can’t do. Drive your desktop speakers? Sure. Drive low efficiency headphones? Sure, no problem. Want a superb DAC? Here you go. Heard a DAVE, can’t live without it but it’s out of reach right now? Great! This is as good a stepping stone as you could possibly hope for.
The Hugo TT2 is an all around performer. Granted, It does not have the ultimate DAC quality of DAVE but it makes a trade off to be one of the best, most flexible, all in one headphone source components on the market, for well under half the price of DAVE. In that regard, it’s solid value and highly recommended. Especially as it’s now reverted to its pre-Covid price of £3995*.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog!
Words by Ade, pics by Nic.
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*All prices, credit terms and interest rates quoted are correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to change. E&OE
