Page 50 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

Top Tap DAC

Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 DAC now comes with an astonishing 98,304 taps. Noel Keywood
listens in – then adds the new M Scaler for a few taps more.

roducts from Chord sum. The TT means it is a table-top else except ESS (although AKM get
Electronics are always version of Hugo, more expensive and close). However, Rob Watts states
fascinating – even exciting, without batteries. It has a partnering that where other designs have digital
sometimes confusing. And 100 Watt power amplifier that you’ll filters with hundreds of taps and
that’s just what I found see in many website shots, TTOBY, make compromises as a result, Hugo
Pwhen reviewing Hugo TT2 price £2899. However, it will drive TT2 now has 98,304 taps in its filter,
with M Scaler. Notes in the handbook any power amplifier. M Scaler is fed by a x16 oversampled signal. M
allude to the ‘power’ of Hugo TT2’s £3495 and I talk about this separately Scaler ups this to a massive 1 million
audio outputs. Chord Electronics on following pages just for clarity. taps, again fed by a x16 oversampled
explain there are discrete power It’s as a super high-technology signal.
amplifiers in Hugo TT2 that can drive DAC that Hugo TT2 is presented – Chord Electronics sent us M
loudspeakers direct, especially sensi- and usually talked out – using Chord Scaler with Hugo TT2 so we could
tive horn loudspeakers. We drove a Electronics own and unique digital-to- hear the difference, a task made
pair of Tannoy Westminsters – large analogue convertor (DAC) designed easier by our Martin Logan electro-
horns – from a portable Mojo in our by Rob Watts. Manufacturers static loudspeakers. And our ability to
January 2016 issue. Could Hugo TT2 normally buy in DAC chips from measure the thing: there are only two
drive loudspeakers, slashing system outside suppliers. What you get here analysers in the world able to do this
cost? More later! is a highly-specialised and continually – they have one, we have the other.
Let’s look at cost. Hugo TT2 advancing design from Mr Watts that, Interestingly they quote a class-
is priced at £3995 – a substantial our measurements show, out-runs all leading 127dB dynamic range and

50 HI-FI WORLD JANUARY 2020 www.hi-fiworld.co.uk