[STR-1]

This was confirmed by rob somewhere in this thread.

Found something from Rob
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hug...official-thread.879425/page-111#post-14486652

 

[ZappaMan]

Better ask him. Low gain will always be less noisier, this is fact. I found that high gain is not required for most headphones. High gain is needed only for few power hungry ones or if you want speakers directly driven by tt2. Many high efficiency speakers will be ok even with low gain. To me low gain is very clearly more 3d than high gain.

i did originally think that low gain had better timbre for things like hand drums, but then was swayed by rob saying hi gain is where its at lol

 

[jarnopp]

i did originally think that low gain had better timbre for things like hand drums, but then was swayed by rob saying hi gain is where its at lol

low gain has one additional resistor, so high gain should be better unless you need to lower the gain more:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hug...official-thread.879425/page-120#post-14517921

 

[ZappaMan]

low gain has one additional resistor, so high gain should be better unless you need to lower the gain more:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/hug...official-thread.879425/page-120#post-14517921

So what’s theoretically best, lower noise or 1 less transistor?

 

[rkt31]

So what’s theoretically best, lower noise or 1 less transistor?

How an additional resistor would cause lower 'residual' noise ? There is clearly something else which rob can only explain. I have a very transparent power amp and high gain mode comes out to be more forward sounding ( with slight bit of edge to treble) than low gain mode. Ps-adding 'anything' extra in the path can never reduce the noise.

 

[GreenBow]

MK I think the hardening is produced by RF as it improves with different RF reducing techniques - ferrited cables etc. OTOH it is most evident at higher volumes. I have been listening in low gain so will try the alternative.
One question I meant to ask you. I notice you use Roon via optical. I tried a similar setup for my old TT. iMac > Roon > optical out > Hugo TT. I found that Roon could not 'see' the TT and was downscaling the output via the iMac's circuits. For me, switching to USB was a much better choice. I cannot test it any more as the iMac has since been upgraded, but keep an eye on the little coloured indicator in Roon which shows the quality of the audio path. I guess you know all this but just thought I would mention it in case.

Yeah, I have no problem with TT2 sound quality driving my less than sensitive speakers. I got the right speaker cable, and the sound is nothing less that smooth, solid, fast, and gorgeous.

 

[GreenBow]

What is the typical room temperature, when your TT2 is running hot?

My room temp needs to get to 25'C before my TT2 starts getting hot. Anything under that, and it fine. Even at 25'C and bit more, as long as I don't leave the TT2 on permanently, temp is fine.

 

[Whazzzup]

TT is cool to the touch, just an observation

 

[JaZZ]

So what’s theoretically best, lower noise or 1 less transistor?

Easy answer: If in high-gain mode – particularly with sensitive IEMs – the noise is audible or indirectly detrimental to the sound, low gain may be yield better results, despite the theoretical minimal loss of signal purity due to the resistor. In any event: Choose whatever sounds best to your ears!

How an additional resistor would cause lower 'residual' noise ? There is clearly something else which rob can only explain. I have a very transparent power amp and high gain mode comes out to be more forward sounding ( with slight bit of edge to treble) than low gain mode. Ps-adding 'anything' extra in the path can never reduce the noise.

Yes, it can – in that it reduces both the noise (from the output stage!) and the music signal, which forces the user to increase the latter's volume level. Result: better signal/noise ratio.

 

[rkt31]

Easy answer: If in high-gain mode – particularly with sensitive IEMs – the noise is audible or indirectly detrimental to the sound, low gain may be yield better results, despite the theoretical minimal loss of signal purity due to the resistor. In any event: Choose whatever sounds best to your ears!


Yes, it can – in that it reduces both the noise (from the output stage!) and the music signal, which forces the user to increase the latter's volume level. Result: better signal/noise ratio.

I don't think so because adding resistor will add to output impedance also. I remember rob saying that high gain circuitry is different and uses digital amplification tech.

 

[JaZZ]

I don't think so because adding resistor will add to output impedance also...

My original response was based on a misinterpretation of your statement. Now is see what you mean: A mere serial resistor at the output would increase the output impedance. And that's apparently not the case. So I guess the resistor isn't directly at the output, but buffered by the following output stage. Which means the noise has been produced before it, but after digital volume regulation.

Rob Watts: «The low gain mode has a single resistor switched in on the single global feedback via a relay to reduce the gain.»

 

[JaZZ]

error post

 

[ruthieandjohn]

If I understand correctly (and please correct me if I am wrong), I will obtain better sound by having the Hugo TT 2 drive speakers directly, without adding another amp, and choosing speakers of 90 dB efficiency or better. I get this impression from @Rob Watts , from @GreenBow , and from @ray-dude , who recommends the Omega Super Alnico Monitor speakers.

Right? Any other recommended speakers? Do I need a Subwoofer? Would it have its own amp and crossover?

Any subtleties to running the output of TT2 to speakers? Balanced out or single ended? Simple connector to TT with bare wire ends to speaker inputs?

Thanks so much!

 

[ZappaMan]

If I understand correctly (and please correct me if I am wrong), I will obtain better sound by having the Hugo TT 2 drive speakers directly, without adding another amp, and choosing speakers of 90 dB efficiency or better. I get this impression from @Rob Watts , from @GreenBow , and from @ray-dude , who recommends the Omega Super Alnico Monitor speakers.

Right? Any other recommended speakers? Do I need a Subwoofer? Would it have its own amp and crossover?

Any subtleties to running the output of TT2 to speakers? Balanced out or single ended? Simple connector to TT with bare wire ends to speaker inputs?

Thanks so much!

Might be worth searching the thread fir the term, speaker. There’s a lot been said about it, and the answer depends on a few things

 

[Triode User]

If I understand correctly (and please correct me if I am wrong), I will obtain better sound by having the Hugo TT 2 drive speakers directly, without adding another amp, and choosing speakers of 90 dB efficiency or better. I get this impression from @Rob Watts , from @GreenBow , and from @ray-dude , who recommends the Omega Super Alnico Monitor speakers.

Right? Any other recommended speakers? Do I need a Subwoofer? Would it have its own amp and crossover?

Any subtleties to running the output of TT2 to speakers? Balanced out or single ended? Simple connector to TT with bare wire ends to speaker inputs?

Thanks so much!

Some of the rapturous comments about running direct from TT2 conveniently forget to mention the downsides. To put the counter view, there are compromises that need to be accepted if you are going to run speakers direct off the TT2. For instance do not expect to listen to your favourite rock group at realistic volumes in a largish room. Also, the high efficiency single driver type of speaker is likely to be somewhat challenged in the bass department. It is not for nothing that single driver speakers get the reputation for being best suited to 'girl and a ukulele' type of music. I used the TT2 direct with 95dB speakers but went back to using a 60w amp and 89dB speakers because I wanted to move more air than was possible with the TT2 direct.