Page 51 - Hi-Fi World (January 2020)

REVIEW

we measure 128dB from amplifier
output, or 124dB from DAC output
– both outstanding values.
In addition to being a unique
DAC, Hugo TT2 is also a pre-
amplifier and headphone amplifier
they say. Hmmm... Yes, it is, but it does
not have analogue inputs, so cannot
accept external analogue sources.
The ‘pre-amplifier’ bit relates to the
fact that very high gain is available,
enough to drive a power amplifier
direct or act as a power amplifier in
its own right. Two gain settings (Hi
and Lo), a big illuminated spherical
volume control (centre) and both
phono-socket (unbalanced) and XLR-
socket (balanced) analogue outputs
being fitted to make it all happen.
These days headphones rule
and Hugo TT2 is designed to cope, which
with no less than two full size 1/4in Chord
(6.35mm) jacks, plus a 3.5mm mini Electronics
jack, so no adaptors are needed. now supply
Those on-board power amps let matching
Hugo TT2 drive headphones down cables to
to 16 Ohms or lower, with massive ensure they reach
voltage swing so even the most 192kHz sample rate.
difficult of headphones offer no There are no AES/EBU
challenge. An unusual addition is balanced digital inputs.
three selectable levels of Crossfeed And there are two digital
between channels to give a more outputs for future use with
loudspeaker-like presentation. Chord Electronics products.
The only omission is the lack of a Another input is Bluetooth
balanced output. Plugging headphones with aptX compression, for
in disables amplifier mode (i.e. the streaming from mobile phones or
analogue outputs). any other device such as iPads and
There are arrays of digital inputs. portable players that now mostly
A fully isolated USB input allows come with Bluetooth. A small, light The illuminated volume ball on a shaft at front, con-
Hugo TT2 to be used as a computer’s (plastic) and simple remote control nected to green potentiometer behind. Six green
headphone DAC or to send audio unit is provided with all functions, super-capacitors (left) bolster the power supply. At
from the computer to the hi-fi. The including volume control, input right is the Bluetooth radio module. At centre the
TT2 accepts native DSD (PC only) up selection and filter selection. square black FPGA chip that holds the WTA filter
to x8 (DSD 512). At present double- There are four filters, an incisive and DAC.
rate x2 DSD (DSD128) is about the neutral filter (Filter 1) that offers
limit for music files, because of their ‘absolute reference’ they say, and the Electronics products Hugo TT2 is of
size. If you run a PC a DSD driver same with high frequency roll-off exceptional build and finish. The case
must be downloaded from (Filter 2) to ‘remove noise’ from is machined from solid alloy, making it
Chord Electronics to run hi-res files of 88.1kHz wonderfully strong and with superb
native or DoP; if you run a sample rate or higher. contours and detailing. The company
Mac the paid-for Audirvana Then there’s a filter with light up the whole device in their
Plus app. sends via DoP that ‘warmer tone’ (Filter 3) usual style: the spherical volume
works to DSD128 only in and again the same with control at centre changes colour to
Hugo TT2. high frequency roll-off show gain, the colour palette moving
In addition to the (Filter 4). Differences from red (low) up to green (sensible)
USB input there are two between these filters and then into blues to purples and
electrical S/PDIF digital were not great and sonic eventually white (max). Internally, the
inputs via BNC sockets, not differences small. They LEDs change colour on the circuit
the usual phono sockets. work with DSD also to board to indicate sample rate (or
They can be used indepen- reduce high frequency DSD) and this is visible through
dently, as usual, to accept a noise (2 and 4), a problem the top window. Case dimensions
digital stream from outside inherent to DSD. are 235mm wide, 223mm deep and
sources, or together as a Like all Chord 46mm high. with a weight of 2.53kgs.
special DBNC (Dual BNC) Power is supplied by a Chinese
input to accept the DBNC A small and light remote external switch-mode power supply
output of M Scaler. There with volume, filters and block that delivers 15V at a high 4A
are two optical inputs for inputs. through a cable 2340cm (11ft) long

www.hi-fiworld.co.uk JANUARY 2020 HI-FI WORLD 51