Back in 2015 (Before my Chord Arc started), these were the Chord options:
Almost double the price for double the battery and some supercaps? Now, after experiencing Galvanic Isolation, I think the price difference is 75% Galvanic Isolation and 25% Supercaps. I always assumed it was 100% Supercaps before this past weekend. I underestimated the role Galvanic Isolation plays in this game.
If a Hugo₂TT and a Hugo₂ were available on sale at similar prices present day, would I pay $4800 for a modern Hugo₂TT versus procuring a Hugo₂? After experiencing Soundstage depth, yes. I'm addicted to the Gaming experience that it provides. When used prices for the Hugo₂ drops some more I like to have more independent Hugo₂s. Maybe build Hugo₂TT for the family, but again there's risk involved in running Supercaps so maybe no. It's just such a good value at used prices after unlocking Soundstage Depth.
I think I'm already there or at least close enough to start labeling my Hugo₂ a Hugo₂TT. Hopefully, in the Summer, my Hugo₂ will play nice with the Supercaps.
The Chord Hugo TT actually gives a roadmap on the potential of the Hugo₂ when you take away the need for portability.
I was able to emulate "Sound stage is huge also". I not trying to best the DAVE. DAVE is reference. I just want to get closer to the DAVE at a fraction of the price. Plus, I would never listen to anything on Mains.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-17583987
Although when my projects are complete, I don't think Hugo₂TT > HugoTT > HugoTT₂ is too far off. It will be at minimum, competitive with the Chord Big Boys.
Galvanic Isolation
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-16520624
Deep Soundstage unlocked in Hugo₂. It joins the company of the Chord Big Boys HugoTT, HugoTT₂ and DAVE. When you look at the roadmap of the HugoTT, it's an older Hugo₁ PCB so it makes sense a Hugo₂ PCB can also replicate this feature.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-14851098
The 10th row effect versus 1st row. Magnificient for the Gaming experience. Unlocking Soundstage Depth turns my world upside down as now I have to plan around this feature.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-14851225
Again, DAVE is reference so I don't know how you can 'better' reference. But for my use case, Hugo₂ with unlocked Soundstage Depth easily > HugoTT > HugoTT₂.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-17820293
HugoTT has the same 'core' pcb as the Hugo₁ PCB. Mentions Supercaps made quite the difference. I'll pass on the chassis although I do add some damping here and there. Maybe Vibrapods one day.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-16514193
So I see an older PCB, four Enix Batteries and two Powerstor Aerogel Supercaps. Galvanic Isolation not visible. Roadmap is hidden in plain sight.
My backup plan is to use the same type of Supercaps as the HugoTT. The HugoTT has about 10 Farads total. I plan to use 100+X that amount of Farads with an updated version. The HugoTT₂ has about 60 Farads. I already have four 18650 batteries versus two 18650 on the Hugo₁ running on each side so it should be straightforward to plug supercaps in between the batteries and the Hugo₂.
But my long-term primary plan is to use about 6000 Farads on each side so about 12,000 Farads total as that is Pure Supercaps. No Batteries in the equation. Super, super, super low impedance for dynamic swings versus batteries which are just low impedance or batteries plus supercaps which is super low impedance.
Almost double the price for double the battery and some supercaps? Now, after experiencing Galvanic Isolation, I think the price difference is 75% Galvanic Isolation and 25% Supercaps. I always assumed it was 100% Supercaps before this past weekend. I underestimated the role Galvanic Isolation plays in this game.
If a Hugo₂TT and a Hugo₂ were available on sale at similar prices present day, would I pay $4800 for a modern Hugo₂TT versus procuring a Hugo₂? After experiencing Soundstage depth, yes. I'm addicted to the Gaming experience that it provides. When used prices for the Hugo₂ drops some more I like to have more independent Hugo₂s. Maybe build Hugo₂TT for the family, but again there's risk involved in running Supercaps so maybe no. It's just such a good value at used prices after unlocking Soundstage Depth.
I think I'm already there or at least close enough to start labeling my Hugo₂ a Hugo₂TT. Hopefully, in the Summer, my Hugo₂ will play nice with the Supercaps.
The Chord Hugo TT actually gives a roadmap on the potential of the Hugo₂ when you take away the need for portability.
It is 2023 May 31 and I received my second hand Chord Hugo TT. At the moment I have Chord Dave, and previously owner/listened : Mojo, Hugo 2, Qutest, TT2 solo and with M Scaler, Mojo2.
What I can say, is wow , how good Hugo TT sounds. It is warm , organic, with good bass, very good vocals, sirupy caramel mids and sound. Sound stage is huge also. Very musical presentation. I'm not sure if I prefer Dave, or Hugo TT, but those are best Chord DACS to this date. Hugo TT and Dave.
I was able to emulate "Sound stage is huge also". I not trying to best the DAVE. DAVE is reference. I just want to get closer to the DAVE at a fraction of the price. Plus, I would never listen to anything on Mains.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-17583987
Although when my projects are complete, I don't think Hugo₂TT > HugoTT > HugoTT₂ is too far off. It will be at minimum, competitive with the Chord Big Boys.
Two additional things I've noticed in the short term of owning it:
1) The USB HD is the best sounding digital input on the unit which surprised me as I said earlier on previous DACs I've owned I preferred other inputs like Coax & AES (which the Chord does not have).
Galvanic Isolation
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-16520624
I sold hugo2 and get Hugo TT (1st). Just do it! You will not regret.
Especially If soundstage deeps and balanced out is important for you.. oh and sharming, nicely extended bass..
Deep Soundstage unlocked in Hugo₂. It joins the company of the Chord Big Boys HugoTT, HugoTT₂ and DAVE. When you look at the roadmap of the HugoTT, it's an older Hugo₁ PCB so it makes sense a Hugo₂ PCB can also replicate this feature.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-14851098
For me hugo2 was flat in compare to TT. This was the main reason i sold it. And Qutest as well... they just sound flat to me. More details and mids yes.. but if all this beauty sounds flat, i cant accept.
Here is how they sound to me..
Hugo2, Qutes on the left compare to TT on the right
The 10th row effect versus 1st row. Magnificient for the Gaming experience. Unlocking Soundstage Depth turns my world upside down as now I have to plan around this feature.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-14851225
You won't be disappointed
I would argue that it's 'better' than TT2 and even Dave. (Yes I owned all of them, just saying from a time perspective)
Again, DAVE is reference so I don't know how you can 'better' reference. But for my use case, Hugo₂ with unlocked Soundstage Depth easily > HugoTT > HugoTT₂.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-17820293
I feel that the TT was never really given the chance to shine in the marketplace, as on one side it was tooted as just being a pimped Hugo, which I guess it technically was. But that had a few people thinking it might not be such a sonic improvement over Hugo, which it most definitely was, even though the 'core' pcb remained the same. That extra motherboard it was attached to featured galvanic isolation of the USB input, plus extra space for another pair of batteries plus a pair of Supercaps made quite the difference, not to mention the far heavier chassis adding damping. On the other side, was the H2 and all the hype at the time that it was a 'mini Dave' which I think undercut the TT sales too. Then of course TT2 appeared sooner than many expected. Bottom line, TT is a sweet-spot DAC for many, and a huge bargain on the used market right now
HugoTT has the same 'core' pcb as the Hugo₁ PCB. Mentions Supercaps made quite the difference. I'll pass on the chassis although I do add some damping here and there. Maybe Vibrapods one day.
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/cho...c-amp-impressions-thread.756029/post-16514193
So I see an older PCB, four Enix Batteries and two Powerstor Aerogel Supercaps. Galvanic Isolation not visible. Roadmap is hidden in plain sight.
My backup plan is to use the same type of Supercaps as the HugoTT. The HugoTT has about 10 Farads total. I plan to use 100+X that amount of Farads with an updated version. The HugoTT₂ has about 60 Farads. I already have four 18650 batteries versus two 18650 on the Hugo₁ running on each side so it should be straightforward to plug supercaps in between the batteries and the Hugo₂.
But my long-term primary plan is to use about 6000 Farads on each side so about 12,000 Farads total as that is Pure Supercaps. No Batteries in the equation. Super, super, super low impedance for dynamic swings versus batteries which are just low impedance or batteries plus supercaps which is super low impedance.
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