Hugo TT 2 by Chord Electronics - The Official Thread

[Amberlamps]

No one is perfect; we are all human, and knowledge is imperfect. But I accept that my understanding is limited and subject to error; but I also understand that my knowledge is improved by new evidence and more understanding of the underlying issues, and my time is spent in actively testing and sometimes re-testing my assumptions, as this is the only way that true progress is made. Moreover, posters comments when using my designs has in the past been a fantastic resource in discovering new issues, which when researched led to better designs, in turn allowing me to enjoy music more.

But that door does indeed swing both ways - you have the right to challenge my understanding, but I have the right to challenge yours too. In the case of LPS on TT2, the subjective evidence is strong that a LPS will only ever degrade the sound quality (or at best sound identical) to the stock PSU. So when I had removed the PSU (you can do this for 10 seconds) there is no change in sound quality. Using a battery (the ideal PSU from random RF noise) for extended periods also elicited no change in sound quality. Of course, this is with my system, and your mileage may vary. But I can only go on my direct experience.

Theory also backs up my position; random RF noise (note random, not switching noise) creates noise floor modulation which is measurable. That is a fact. My observations are that noise floor modulation (however small) makes the sound brighter and degrades instrument separation and focus; moreover it can etch the sound quality, giving a false sense of transparency. As an engineer, when I look at audiophile LPS designs I recoil in horror; large leaded components with huge RF resonances, huge toroidal transformers with enormous coupling capacitance; large levels of stray electromagnetic noise. These things are guaranteed to pass random RF noise from the mains straight through to the TT2, unlike the SMPS with it's low capacitance transformers, and input and output RF filters, which actively reduce random RF noise.

But I must admit to a failure on my part; I design my gear with certain PSUs in mind, and that I get no improvements from using truly better PSUs - job done. What I should have done was to use a great deal more RF filtering so that when you connect a crappy random RF noise source (sorry I meant to say LPS) you would hear no difference then there would be no argument about "better" PSUs. But then you might not like the SQ of TT2, but then that's your choice.


Sorry if you have trouble understanding some of my posts; I try to make it as simple as possible, but you can't make it too simple otherwise you are failing to communicate the technicalities - and I am writing to a very diverse audience, from little technical knowledge to experts. And some of the concepts I have trouble fully understanding - as they are complex - one of the benefits of trying to explain something is that you expose your own weakness in logic, so it ends up making more sense to yourself by trying to explain it!

I too get tremendous musical pleasure from old recordings. And its very humbling when I make a major advance in sound quality, only to discover recordings that I had dismissed as bad were not so bad after all! Then I beat myself up for being so dumb that I had not achieved the improvement earlier...

Lulz

 

[Arnold Schwartz]

@LeMat

please hold a healthy dose of skepticism because people in this thread and more generally the audio community hold on to false beliefs like a bunch of flat earth’ers most of us ignore them but they genuinely believe things that are not true - like USB cables sound different.

 

[griff500]

@LeMat

please hold a healthy dose of skepticism because people in this thread and more generally the audio community hold on to false beliefs like a bunch of flat earth’ers most of us ignore them but they genuinely believe things that are not true - like USB cables sound different.

Opinion stated as fact. It's what the internet was made for.

 

[ivanrocks321]

Hi guys need some help planing on getting a custom cable for the TT2. Would like a pair of 3 pin XLR to 4 pin XLR adapter planing on using some of my more power hungry headphones right from the XLR outputs but don’t know the pinout and want to just get that right before placing order. Thanks!

 

[Gadget67]

@LeMat

please hold a healthy dose of skepticism because people in this thread and more generally the audio community hold on to false beliefs like a bunch of flat earth’ers most of us ignore them but they genuinely believe things that are not true - like USB cables sound different.

A few years ago, I finally purchased a ”better” USB cable (AudioQuest cinnamon) for my headphone listening station. I was using the (literally) cheapest cable imaginable and after extensive A-B testing it was clear the new cable was an improvement. I dId testing by having my understanding wife swap cables back and forth and keeping track of my success in spotting a difference—not super scientific of course, but I could spot the difference about 75% of the time. So, there was a relatively verifiable difference between a really crappy cheap data cable and the entry level Audioquest Cinnamon. Emboldened, I eventually ended up purchasing a much more expensive Nordost Blue Heaven USB cable. After more testing I was really unable to reliably discern any significant difference between the two. I believe the Nordost is better, but I can’t prove it.

Obviously there is a whole world of USB cables out there and others can apparently tell them apart. I’m sure my advanced age has something to do with my personal experience so it is entirely possible that I just simply can’t hear the differences that may be there. Perhaps @Arnold Schwartz that is what you are experiencing. I can only speak for my own experience and wouldn’t challenge what somewhat else may be hearing. I appreciate your blunt opinion about this and we seem to agree but a less challenging approach would be better IMHO.

 

[AndrewOld]

Ah the good old upgrade temptation Not that I'm stuck with the TT2 but considering I'm also using it to power bookshelf speakers, almost any change will imply getting a power amp and add cost to the upgrade. I'll first try to squeeze all I can from the mTT2 before moving to something else.

Why not consider active speakers?

 

[LCMusicLover]

Hi guys need some help planing on getting a custom cable for the TT2. Would like a pair of 3 pin XLR to 4 pin XLR adapter planing on using some of my more power hungry headphones right from the XLR outputs but don’t know the pinout and want to just get that right before placing order. Thanks!

Looking for this, right?

Note that this is looking at the 'male' side of the XLRs -- if you turn these around so they 'face' the female side, pins 1 and 2 will flip and match the female side (below).

Hope this helps.

BTW, I'm using the XLRs for my Hedds and think it make some audible difference (vs front panel 1/4 inch jacks). But I haven't heard a notable difference for any of my other cans.

 

[Gadget67]

I very much doubt spending any amount of money on an alternative source for your HMS/TT2, however complex, would be as beneficial as just simply buying a DAVE.

Ah the good old upgrade temptation Not that I'm stuck with the TT2 but considering I'm also using it to power bookshelf speakers, almost any change will imply getting a power amp and add cost to the upgrade. I'll first try to squeeze all I can from the mTT2 before moving to something else.

I think this really boils down to what the user is attempting to accomplish. I have not experienced the DAVE (probably good for my wallet) but instead made a very conscious choice to purchase the TT2/M-Scaler. I have space considerations and also wanted a device that wouldn’t require a separate amp for hard to drive headphones. Had I purchased the DAVE the M-Scaler wouldn't have been far behind but I have a multi-purpose arrangement (2.1 system plus headphone listening) so it definitely suits my needs. With a larger budget and less restrictive space I’m sure I would have done something different.

 

[AndrewOld]

I think this really boils down to what the user is attempting to accomplish. I have not experienced the DAVE (probably good for my wallet) but instead made a very conscious choice to purchase the TT2/M-Scaler. I have space considerations and also wanted a device that wouldn’t require a separate amp for hard to drive headphones. Had I purchased the DAVE the M-Scaler wouldn't have been far behind but I have a multi-purpose arrangement (2.1 system plus headphone listening) so it definitely suits my needs. With a larger budget and less restrictive space I’m sure I would have done something different.

I’m not criticising the choice of an HMS/TT2 at all. I was just trying to say that if I had an HMS/TT2 I would rather spend thousands upgrading to a DAVE than spend thousands on an exotic streaming source which may not offer any advantage over a modest one in any case. But I accept hard to drive headphones are a deal breaker. Though as far as speakers are concerned I would only ever consider active ones which both the TT2 and DAVE can drive more than acceptably. You are right about the space advantages of the TT2 though. Given that the HMS renders a substantial chunk of the DAVE (and TT2) utterly redundant one can only hope about a DAVE without the redundant inputs and up scaling and display in a HMS size box for a lot less money. They could even fix the RF issues.

 

[Gadget67]

I’m not criticising the choice of an HMS/TT2 at all. I was just trying to say that if I had an HMS/TT2 I would rather spend thousands upgrading to a DAVE than spend thousands on an exotic streaming source which may not offer any advantage over a modest one in any case. But I accept hard to drive headphones are a deal breaker. Though as far as speakers are concerned I would only ever consider active ones which both the TT2 and DAVE can drive more than acceptably.

I’m loving my set up with my new Abyss 1266 headphones (Worth the twelve week wait BTW). If I was opting for a headphone only use with my Focal Utopia, I’d have the DAVE and M-Scaler, most likely. Here’s a messy pic of my multi purpose set up.

 

[ivanrocks321]

Looking for this, right?



Note that this is looking at the 'male' side of the XLRs -- if you turn these around so they 'face' the female side, pins 1 and 2 will flip and match the female side (below).



Hope this helps.

BTW, I'm using the XLRs for my Hedds and think it make some audible difference (vs front panel 1/4 inch jacks). But I haven't heard a notable difference for any of my other cans.

Awesome thanks exactly what I’m looking for!

 

[ivanrocks321]

on another note I have a He6se v2 and I. Wonder if the Abyss AB1266 would be easier to drive out from the TT2 from the XLR in the back vs the hifiman?

 

[LeMat]

Why not consider active speakers?

2 reasons for that:
- it would be an extra investment. Buying an amp or buying speakers, same result. $$$
- I had a pair of Focal Solo6 Be but sold them and kept my old dynaudio contour 1.1. Pure signal straight out of the TT2.

 

[Rebel Chris]

Yesterday I had a listing session at a nearby audio store. I was after the LAB12 hpa headphone DAC/amp ( VU meter ). After listening to it, the sales guy switched the LAB 12 for a TT2....yes I get it, the Chord TT2 was amazing.

Exit VU meter, glowing marbles it is.

 

[muski]

Opinion stated as fact. It's what the internet was made for.

Opinion stated as fact. It's what the Ignore button was made for.