[silversurfer616]

This.

@silversurfer616 I had a Auralic Taurus MKII which is on par or better than the V280 and GSX mini. The difference in resolution between the TT2 direct compared to the Taurus was immediately noticeable. The TT2 was substantially better, the Taurus which I loved and intended to keep, has slightly less detail. You might prefer the output from an amp, but I felt no need to continue owning the Taurus and it took a few minutes for me to make that decision after doing the comparison.

As an ex Taurus owner I prefer the GSX mini but that’s just personal preference.
Anyway, had another day just with the TT2 and Utopia and I am getting used to the sound but still in favour of the smoothness/ coloration an external amp can give me.
Whether the internal amp is technically not an amp per se is of no importance to me, what comes out of the box is.
Ultimately I am very happy with what the TT2 delivers....with external amp or not.

 

[Tanalasta]

The chord signature sound has its detractors. Whilst technically very good, the cooler neutrality may not suit everyone.

I assume you’ve tried the filters. I find the green high frequency roll off almost essential with Utopia.

on another note, has anyone used an iPhone or iPad as a digital out source to the TT2?

 

[silversurfer616]

The chord signature sound has its detractors. Whilst technically very good, the cooler neutrality may not suit everyone.

I assume you’ve tried the filters. I find the green high frequency roll off almost essential with Utopia.

on another note, has anyone used an iPhone or iPad as a digital out source to the TT2?

Mainly on Filter 1 but will try your suggestion. Thanks.

 

[DJJEZ]

The chord signature sound has its detractors. Whilst technically very good, the cooler neutrality may not suit everyone.

I assume you’ve tried the filters. I find the green high frequency roll off almost essential with Utopia.

on another note, has anyone used an iPhone or iPad as a digital out source to the TT2?

The TT2 is not neutral. Its warm.

 

[nwavesailor]

has anyone used an iPhone or iPad as a digital out source to the TT2?

I use an iPhone 11 and the latest generation iPod as a source into the TT2 /MS

 

[jarnopp]

The TT2 is not neutral. Its warm.

How do you determine that? Per Rob Watts, “Mojo's frequency response is accurate to +/- 0.1 dB 20 to 20 kHz 300 ohms. For low impedances HF does fall slightly - 33 ohms is flat at 10 kHz, but -0.3 dB at 20 kHz. With 16 ohms, it is only -0.1dB at 10 kHz and -0.7dB at 20kHz.” (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/page-1807#post-13075894) and many consider Mojo warm, more so even than TT2. Perhaps what people think of as neutral is really bright, or has RF noise imparting anomalies?

 

[DJJEZ]

How do you determine that? Per Rob Watts, “Mojo's frequency response is accurate to +/- 0.1 dB 20 to 20 kHz 300 ohms. For low impedances HF does fall slightly - 33 ohms is flat at 10 kHz, but -0.3 dB at 20 kHz. With 16 ohms, it is only -0.1dB at 10 kHz and -0.7dB at 20kHz.” (https://www.head-fi.org/threads/chord-mojo-dac-amp-☆★►faq-in-3rd-post-◄★☆.784602/page-1807#post-13075894) and many consider Mojo warm, more so even than TT2. Perhaps what people think of as neutral is really bright, or has RF noise imparting anomalies?

Just from experience and gear I own. I've had the mojo and Hugo2 before the TT2. I also have a THX 887 and topping A90 plus various 2 channel and home cinema amps.

The Hugo 2 is brighter than the TT2. The treble is sparkly in comparison compared to the more rounded off TT2. I regard the THX 887/topping A90 as pretty damn neutral.

 

[jarnopp]

Just from experience and gear I own. I've had the mojo and Hugo2 before the TT2. I also have a THX 887 and topping A90.

The Hugo 2 is brighter than the TT2. The treble is sparkly in comparison compared to the more rounded off TT2. I regard the THX 887/topping A90 as pretty damn neutral.

I agree the Mojo sounds warmer than TT2 which sound warmer than Hugo2. But, “neutral” has to be defined by measurements, I would think. If something if flat FR within +/- 1dB I would consider it flat. Warm and bright would be more extreme, even though and two components could be relatively compared.

 

[seadog123]

The internal headphone amp is a let down and can’t compete with TT2 DAC plus GSX mini or V280. This comes as a surprise as I expected more. It still might need burn in or it is what it is.

Isn’t it funny how we hear things differently. I did this exact same test a month or so ago. But with a Final D8000 Pro.

I easily preferred going straight out of the TT2 vs TT2 / GSX Mini. More life, detail, resolution to me vs the more romantic laid back sound of the GSX Mini.

BUT..... music choice etc. is a factor as well.
I love the edge of the seat excitement of rock, pop heavy metal etc. and that may well play to the strength perhaps of direct out of the TT2 ?

 

[Tanalasta]

Most of the reviewers would suggest the TT2 is on the slightly warmer side of neutral. However, calibration from a subjective sense is always ... subjective.

Certain Class A SS and tube amps would be considered warm. I concur the TT2 is warmer than the H2. However, I personally wouldn't go so far as to say it was warm. Especially with say the Utopia.

I own the H2 and TT2.

All good.

 

[GreenBow]

I find TT2 neutral. Wheras I also find the Hugo 2 neutral.

TT2 sounds more complete to me, not warmer.

 

[Amberlamps]

I find TT2 neutral. Wheras I also find the Hugo 2 neutral.

TT2 sounds more complete to me, not warmer.

Mojo to me is warm, hugo 2 is neutral/bright and tt2 is warmer than hugo 2, in my opinion.

These last 2 weeks have been great, as I’ve never heard my TT2 and MScaler to be this good ever.

 

[mammal]

Mojo to me is warm, hugo 2 is neutral/bright and tt2 is warmer than hugo 2, in my opinion.

These last 2 weeks have been great, as I’ve never heard my TT2 and MScaler to be this good ever.

Mojo is definitely the warmest, I preferred tonality of Hugo 2, but it was underpowered for any headphones I had, so had to upgrade to TT2, which was warmer a bit, which I did not like for my EDM music. It was less dark than Hugo 2 + V281 amplifier, but still. Adding M Scaler to it made it even more lush, which again I did not enjoy for EDM. I hear that M Scaler takes edge off from Dave, which may be a bit too analytical at times, but I have only listened to Dave in meet settings, not at home, so hard to say!

 

[Tanalasta]

Not sure why my phone inserts photos upside down. But am rather impressed by the low noise floor and ability of the TT2 to drive IEM’s. Not many desktop units do so yet are able to take full sized headphones also.

The TT2 is really bringing out the best from the Cayin Fantasy (on tour). Although there’s still that somewhat synthesised presentation on piano tracks (The heart asks pleasure first, from the movie Piano)

 

[Icenine2]

Damn Orlok!!!!! Beyond cool. Looking at the stars and listening had to be and event.