Just got the CG-10M masterclock to go with my modded Teac NT-505. It is an easily noticeable improvement in liquidity, focus, and overall coherence. I read a review of the masterclock before I had it hooked up. The review basically called it snake oil. After listening to this combo after letting it play overnight, I just laughed my ass off at the review.
CHORD Hugo TT2 vs TEAC NT-505 + TEAC CG-10M Master Clock
I know someone will say I’m comparing apples and oranges.
I own an Esoteric SA-10 with its excellent VOSP mechanism and I want to upgrade by adding a DAC.
I’m purely considering audio quality and I can’t easily audition/compare the two solutions I selected : the CHORD Hugo TT2 (4’790 € in my country) and the TEAC combo NT-505 + CG-10M 10MHz Master Clock (a total of 3’198 € + ~200 € for the digital cable for the clock).
I’ve always been fascinated by the CHORD with its special FPGA-based D-to-A technology and the Hugo TT2 even features super-capacitors in the power supply. On the other side the TEAC NT-505 has got wonderful reviews and it’s equipped with the AKM AK4497 chips of the Esoteric N-01 (~20’000 €). The NT-505 can likely be boosted by the CG-10M dedicated Master Clock and I consider it a combo that inspires me.
I’m looking for a full-bodied sound with lots of detail and focus. I like a holographic soundstage.
Could you please help me in this choice? The Chord is a much more expensive stand-alone DAC compared to the NT-505 (4’790 vs 1’699!) but will it win hands-down also considering the external TEAC Master Clock in the equation?
Thank you very much!
Gianluca
I own an Esoteric SA-10 with its excellent VOSP mechanism and I want to upgrade by adding a DAC.
I’m purely considering audio quality and I can’t easily audition/compare the two solutions I selected : the CHORD Hugo TT2 (4’790 € in my country) and the TEAC combo NT-505 + CG-10M 10MHz Master Clock (a total of 3’198 € + ~200 € for the digital cable for the clock).
I’ve always been fascinated by the CHORD with its special FPGA-based D-to-A technology and the Hugo TT2 even features super-capacitors in the power supply. On the other side the TEAC NT-505 has got wonderful reviews and it’s equipped with the AKM AK4497 chips of the Esoteric N-01 (~20’000 €). The NT-505 can likely be boosted by the CG-10M dedicated Master Clock and I consider it a combo that inspires me.
I’m looking for a full-bodied sound with lots of detail and focus. I like a holographic soundstage.
Could you please help me in this choice? The Chord is a much more expensive stand-alone DAC compared to the NT-505 (4’790 vs 1’699!) but will it win hands-down also considering the external TEAC Master Clock in the equation?
Thank you very much!
Gianluca