geoffalter11
Headphoneus Supremus
Chord Hugo TT2 Impressions:
Hi all... First I wanted to thank Todd for his generosity in providing me the opportunity to use the TT2. In addition, Todd was extremely flexible in dealing with my busy travel schedule, which I really appreciate.
This is my first review I have posted on a piece of equipment like this. I have reviewed headphones, but never a $5800 DAC/AMP. After unboxing, I took a few pics to show Todd it had arrived without issue and immediately set it up in my system. I used the TT2 3 different ways. 1. As an all-in-one plugged into my iMac using a Moon Audio Silver Dragon cable through my Schiit Wyrd. 2. As a DAC only using my THX AAA 789. 3. As an amp only connected to my Vinshine R2R Reference DAC via balanced Cardas interconnects.
Build:
The TT2 is a beautiful, sturdy and creative product. The design is both minimalist and complicated simultaneously. I find that to be extremely difficult to pull off. It gives it a level of class and sophistication I have yet to encounter in a DAC/AMP. It took me about an hour to learn how to use it and then I was off to the races. Once I had a hang of it, all 18 watts of power were at my disposal. There has been a lot written about it's build, and how it connects so I will leave that to the experts.
All-In-One:
I immediately started with my Quad ERA-1's and my jaw hit the floor. I couldn't believe how much better they sounded than through my system, which I consider to be extremely capable. The TT2's PRAT was off the charts. If I were to characterize the sound in a couple words, they would be Pristine, Musical and Balanced. I could hear the pluck of the bass strings. The front and back of the note. Instruments sounded extremely natural with the right pace and timing. The TT2 is extremely fast and subtle. It has no trouble unfolding complex passages of music with a smooth yet incisive tone. The TT2 throws off in impeccable soundstage of width and depth and a tonal richness that belies it's evenhanded approach at portraying music.
DAC:
As a DAC I found the TT2 to be a touch leaner than neutral. Or at least a touch leaner than my Vinshine. However, the image it conveyed was complex, concise, nuanced and undeniably clearer than any DAC I have ever heard. Bass was extremely fast with almost no bloom. Just clean, deep and extremely accurate to my ears. The midrange sounded extremely even and clean. I could hear everything within the soundstage exactly as it was supposed to be. I had absolutely no issue placing instruments and musicians in the soundstage. My favorite part as a DAC was the treble, which I found to have almost no roll off with the right amount of shimmer and air to open up the music. Cymbals sounded lifelike and the upper registers of a hammond organ seemed to linger forever. My only niggle was that the DAC sounds a touch lean at times. Perhaps a bit of a trade-off for such incredible clarity.
I love my Vinshine R2R, which conveys a musical picture in a much different way to the TT2. However, the level of detail and clarity with the TT2 was exponentially better. Although, I prefer the warmth and musicality of my Vinshine, I could easily live with the TT2.
Dedicated Amp:
Honestly, the amp section of the TT2 is insane. It is so powerful and it took my Quad ERA-1 headphones to a level of competency I didn't know possible. The TT2 grabbed hold of the drivers and showed me why innerfidelity gave it their product of the year in 2018. As an amp, the TT2 is extremely clean sounding. It allowed me to pick out nuances from my DAC that I hadn't heard before. I wish I had more to say here, but I only got about an hour or two with the TT2 as an amp only. I can say that it is a much better amp to what I currently have, but I didn't like the amp section as much as I like The Wells Audio Milo. The midrange of the Milo had a touch of magic I simply adored.
In the week I used the TT2, I found it to be an extremely versatile, powerful, delicate and nuanced product. As a DAC it resolves FLAC, CD and Highres digital with breathtaking clarity. It has fantastic timing, punchy bass and a wonderful top end. As an amplifier, it transformed every headphone I own into reference level. Its ability to portray an accurate and musical soundscape was so much fun to enjoy for 1 short week. What it ultimately taught me is that it may be time to move from mid-fi to hi-fi in the near future.
I look forward to spending more time with the TT2 in 2020.
Hi all... First I wanted to thank Todd for his generosity in providing me the opportunity to use the TT2. In addition, Todd was extremely flexible in dealing with my busy travel schedule, which I really appreciate.
This is my first review I have posted on a piece of equipment like this. I have reviewed headphones, but never a $5800 DAC/AMP. After unboxing, I took a few pics to show Todd it had arrived without issue and immediately set it up in my system. I used the TT2 3 different ways. 1. As an all-in-one plugged into my iMac using a Moon Audio Silver Dragon cable through my Schiit Wyrd. 2. As a DAC only using my THX AAA 789. 3. As an amp only connected to my Vinshine R2R Reference DAC via balanced Cardas interconnects.
Build:
The TT2 is a beautiful, sturdy and creative product. The design is both minimalist and complicated simultaneously. I find that to be extremely difficult to pull off. It gives it a level of class and sophistication I have yet to encounter in a DAC/AMP. It took me about an hour to learn how to use it and then I was off to the races. Once I had a hang of it, all 18 watts of power were at my disposal. There has been a lot written about it's build, and how it connects so I will leave that to the experts.
All-In-One:
I immediately started with my Quad ERA-1's and my jaw hit the floor. I couldn't believe how much better they sounded than through my system, which I consider to be extremely capable. The TT2's PRAT was off the charts. If I were to characterize the sound in a couple words, they would be Pristine, Musical and Balanced. I could hear the pluck of the bass strings. The front and back of the note. Instruments sounded extremely natural with the right pace and timing. The TT2 is extremely fast and subtle. It has no trouble unfolding complex passages of music with a smooth yet incisive tone. The TT2 throws off in impeccable soundstage of width and depth and a tonal richness that belies it's evenhanded approach at portraying music.
DAC:
As a DAC I found the TT2 to be a touch leaner than neutral. Or at least a touch leaner than my Vinshine. However, the image it conveyed was complex, concise, nuanced and undeniably clearer than any DAC I have ever heard. Bass was extremely fast with almost no bloom. Just clean, deep and extremely accurate to my ears. The midrange sounded extremely even and clean. I could hear everything within the soundstage exactly as it was supposed to be. I had absolutely no issue placing instruments and musicians in the soundstage. My favorite part as a DAC was the treble, which I found to have almost no roll off with the right amount of shimmer and air to open up the music. Cymbals sounded lifelike and the upper registers of a hammond organ seemed to linger forever. My only niggle was that the DAC sounds a touch lean at times. Perhaps a bit of a trade-off for such incredible clarity.
I love my Vinshine R2R, which conveys a musical picture in a much different way to the TT2. However, the level of detail and clarity with the TT2 was exponentially better. Although, I prefer the warmth and musicality of my Vinshine, I could easily live with the TT2.
Dedicated Amp:
Honestly, the amp section of the TT2 is insane. It is so powerful and it took my Quad ERA-1 headphones to a level of competency I didn't know possible. The TT2 grabbed hold of the drivers and showed me why innerfidelity gave it their product of the year in 2018. As an amp, the TT2 is extremely clean sounding. It allowed me to pick out nuances from my DAC that I hadn't heard before. I wish I had more to say here, but I only got about an hour or two with the TT2 as an amp only. I can say that it is a much better amp to what I currently have, but I didn't like the amp section as much as I like The Wells Audio Milo. The midrange of the Milo had a touch of magic I simply adored.
In the week I used the TT2, I found it to be an extremely versatile, powerful, delicate and nuanced product. As a DAC it resolves FLAC, CD and Highres digital with breathtaking clarity. It has fantastic timing, punchy bass and a wonderful top end. As an amplifier, it transformed every headphone I own into reference level. Its ability to portray an accurate and musical soundscape was so much fun to enjoy for 1 short week. What it ultimately taught me is that it may be time to move from mid-fi to hi-fi in the near future.
I look forward to spending more time with the TT2 in 2020.
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