Chord Hugo TT (Not TT2)

In terms of the DAC side, I added a Hugo to ND5XS and it made quite a significant difference, improving sound quality to my ears, more natural presentation. Somewhat later after also changing the renderer I tried TT compared to Hugo, and it was a further improvement, though not as big a step, improving things like clarity. So, assiming the DAC in the CD5XS is the same as or similar to that in the ND5XS I would expect similar improvement. 

As for headphone capability I haven’t tried - all I know Is that TT seemed to have a pretty good reputation.

Hi Innocent Bystander,

Appreciate your comments and yes I think most people would say that the Hugo TT makes a significant improvement to SQ when used as a DAC but I would love to hear from anyone that has direct experience of comparing the Naim headphone amp compared to the TT and what their thought are.

kind regards

Stimmy

I haven't done a direct A/B comparison, but I used to have a Headline 2 powered by Hi-Cap. I liked it but wanted to reduce box count. The performance of the Headline will depend significantly on the amp which powers it.

I now use the headphone amp in my Hugo TT to drive Sennheiser HD 650s. I don't use them often but when I do it's a very enjoyable experience. To me the fact that the TT has a headphone amp is very much a side benefit compared with the huge improvement in sound quality which the DAC provides.

I'd be interested to hear of a direct A/B comparison.

Hi Nick,

Thanks for that, I power the Headline from my flat cap, I’m beginning to think that there will be significant sq improvement mainly through the introduction of the dac plus I could get some money back by selling the headline ????

regards

Stimmy 

stimmy posted:

Hi guys, 

i have a 152/155 xs system with cd5xs and xs flatcap and naim headphone amp with Audeze lcd-xc planar headphones, this is now my preferred method of listening but would I gain much by switching out the naim headphone amp for a Chord Hugo TT?

your thoughts/experiences would be appreciated 

regards

stimmy

It would appear that Leatherneck is a man of very few words.

Hello Stimmy. I've owned Hugo TT for a couple of years now and use it primarily in my main system acting as DAC and preamp. I also connect my Audioquest Nighthawk headphones to it. I feel sound quality is sublime either way.

If you primary use headphones then I would suggest for best quality and transparency go direct from Hugo TT, no third party headphone amp. Keeps the signal path as short and clean as possible. If you want to add colour to the sound to your taste then you could try other third party headphone amps.

Thanks Halloween Man, good advice, nice to hear how pleased you are with the sound quality when using the TTwith ????

Halloween Man posted:

Hello Stimmy. I've owned Hugo TT for a couple of years now and use it primarily in my main system acting as DAC and preamp. I also connect my Audioquest Nighthawk headphones to it. I feel sound quality is sublime either way.

If you primary use headphones then I would suggest for best quality and transparency go direct from Hugo TT, no third party headphone amp. Keeps the signal path as short and clean as possible. If you want to add colour to the sound to your taste then you could try other third party headphone amps.

I am curious as to which poweramp you use with Hugo TT as pre ?

I have the non TT Hugo but using as dac only.

To be honest Hallowe’en Man I don’t know enough about this and would need to enquire further 

Perol posted:

Halloween Man posted:

Hello Stimmy. I've owned Hugo TT for a couple of years now and use it primarily in my main system acting as DAC and preamp. I also connect my Audioquest Nighthawk headphones to it. I feel sound quality is sublime either way.

If you primary use headphones then I would suggest for best quality and transparency go direct from Hugo TT, no third party headphone amp. Keeps the signal path as short and clean as possible. If you want to add colour to the sound to your taste then you could try other third party headphone amps.

I am curious as to which poweramp you use with Hugo TT as pre ?

I have the non TT Hugo but using as dac only.

I use ATC P1

stimmy posted:

Hi Nick,

Thanks for that, I power the Headline from my flat cap, I’m beginning to think that there will be significant sq improvement mainly through the introduction of the dac plus I could get some money back by selling the headline ????

regards

Stimmy 

Well quite - and the original version of the Hugo TT (now superseded by the Mark 2) may well be reasonably priced on the second-hand market - just a thought...

Yes, I’m sure once the TT2 is available for purchase the market will be flooded with the original TT so I’ll keep the ???? peeled for a bargain, sub £1800 would be nice ???? 

Well I won't be selling mine anytime soon, I preferred it to Dave and Hugo 2 in my system. Dave although impressive on some fronts overall sounded a little 'processed' to me in my system, Hugo 2 too forward.

There are a lot of bargains around for TT at the moment, still very much a top drawer DAC/pre that will give anything at any price a run imho.

HM, yes the Hugo2 is too forward for me as well, DAVE is exceptionally good, just seems to miss a certain je ne sais quoi ... for that natural, analogue Naim like sound, but with the all the insight and beautiful reconstruction from the Chord DACs, dig out your original Hugo... for me, strictly via SPDIF from a quality transport like a Naim streamer  and not USB, it’s the best of the bunch musical enjoyment wise. The original TT was almost the same as Hugo and could live with that as well.

Nice to hear that you think so highly of the TT, I need to have a listen myself, I’ve always coveted one from reputation so I will have a listen soon but you might be tempted to the new TT2 once auditioned Halloween Man ????

Yes Simon it was after reading your posts many moons ago that persuaded me to try Hugo, so thank you. Mind I prefer TT 

It would be interesting to hear TT2   Maybe when I've saved some more pennies