Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 DAC, Pre-Amp & Headphone Amplifier

Developed from the multi-award-winning transportable Hugo 2, the Chord Hugo TT2 is bigger, better and more advanced in every way. Chord Hugo TT 2 sets a new benchmark for tabletop DACs, eclipsed only by the flagship DAVE

The Chord Hugo TT2 is the latest version of the table top DAC from Chord Electronics. It is quite a step up from the original version with the Rob Watt's custom designed FPGA providing 5 times the processing power of its predecessor. Why is this a good thing? The increased processing power of the latest chipset - nearly 100,000 taps allows the DAC to use more powerful interpolation filters, in other words, it makes a better job or recreating the original analogue signal.

The Chord Hugo TT2 also features a dual BNC input that allows it to receive a 768Khz PCM signal from example the Chord M-scaler. The DAC can also process DSD files to 512.

The Chord Hugo TT2 headphone amplifier has a much more powerful output satge and will drive even the most demanding of headphones. This has been enabled by the replacement of the battery by 6 powerful super capacitors.

The Chord Hugo TT2 has balanced XLR analogue outputs and a pair on single ended RCA analogue outputs to connect to your amplifier or preamplifier. There are also a pair of BNC digital outs.

In terms of input we have USB, 2 x optical toslink, 2 BNC digital inputs and APT X bluetooth.

What improvements does the Hugo TT2 have over its predecessor?

Initial impression is the TT2 is tighter with improved timing and has a better transient attack to notes. More organisation resulting in better sound staging. There is an overall uplift in accuracy and definition between instruments.

Vocals sit in a nicer space, as in more defined and space around them. Bass performance is more expansive, neater, cleaner but sounds fuller.

After prolonged listen to the Hugo TT2, their seems to be an entire additional layer of upper mid ranger information present.