Everyone is saying, the M-Scaler and Hugo 2 may be the way to go, compared to a Hugo TT 2.
However the Hugo TT 2 has supercaps which provide energy for demanding peaks. (That gives it one advantage in the H2 MSL vs HTT2, shoot-out.) .. A fuller rounder sound, which would convey over to a TT2 M-Scaler option.
(EDIT (I forgot this part): The Hugo 2 can supply extra power for current loads in music. As of now, I do not know if the Hugo 2 battery can equal the power peak demands. As well as compared with the TT 2 that is.)
To some people it make sense to buy the Hugo TT 2 first, and then maybe an M-Scaler later. Also for some, a mains driven product is more preferable. .. I know the Hugo 2 can work in desktop mode, however some folk prefer just a straight desktop/hifi DAC.
(I certainly allow my Hugo 2 to run off batteries quite often, just to keep it all working right. RE the issues some folk had with Mojo. Now Chord advise unplug power sometimes from Mojo as a desktop DAC. All good right.)
The case for buying a TT 2 as I see it.
- Adding an M-Scaler to a TT 2 (rather than Hugo 2), will probably still be worth the price difference to some.
- Secondly the M-Scaler may be moved about the house. The Hugo TT 2 will be a better stand-alone DAC that Hugo 2, which no-one would suggest otherwise.
- However to expand on my last point, the Hugo TT 2 will in prediction, be stunning. I personally find the Hugo 2 knocks my brains out. The TT 2 promises to be unbelievable by any standard other than DAVE or M-Scaler. (Or two other non-mentioned DACs.)
- Hugo TT 2 will go louder than Hugo 2 for driving speakers directly. Meaning also that the Hugo 2 will in most cases need an amplifier and cables in the chain for speakers.
I know the Hugo 2 doesn't compare to M-Scaler. However the Hugo 2 to me alone is beyond what I hoped for, coming from a (beautiful) Mojo. ...... People talk about the M-Scaler being more at one, simply much better, micro-details, better instrument tone, etc. To me, that's how the Hugo 2 sounds, (even with modest equipment). As much as I know the M-Scaler will be all that and more again. I also understand why anyone would buy the Hugo TT 2, either with or without the M-Scaler.
My objective is to get some better equipment working with my Hugo 2. Considering how highly I already think of the Hugo 2, I still have lots more to come from it. ....... (I have had my Hugo 2 almost a year now, so I am not talking 'sell it by zealot'.)
However, sometimes upgrading other equipment is more a case of having to wait. Like KEF have released a speaker called the R3 which may well work on my desktop. (To replace my Dynaudio Emit M10.)
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/kef-r3
