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
gkg2k

I ended up using a shielded 50 ohm cable from a large radio cable supplier in the USA. It is made in Switzerland. Fully shielded with good reviews and it cost 50 USD. Sounds great.

I agree. I was not completely sold on the Master Clock but was pleasantly surprised to the improvement in sound.