So, I bought a Chord Hugo TT2...now what?


Hello all!

Today, I ordered a Chord Hugo TT2 DAC from my local dealer...should be able to pick it up late next week.  It will be fed by a Bluesound Vault 2 that I'm using to stream Tidal and Qobuz, as well as play my ripped CD collection.  

As the TT2 is definitely several orders of magnitude better than the on-board DAC of the Vault, I now have a quandary regarding what my next upgrade step should be.  So, if you could only make one more upgrade, would you get the Chord M Scaler, which from everything I'm reading/hearing is the ideal pairing for the TT2 and takes it to near reference-class Dave levels?  Or, would you upgrade the streamer, since the TT2 is only as good as the files/data you're feeding it?

For reference, the rest of my system consists of Audio Research's LS7 line stage, PH3 phono stage and (2) D240MKII amps running as monoblocks.  Speakers are Kef Blade Twos (non-Meta versions) and my turntable is a Technics SL-1210GAE.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions!

Arvin 

128x128arvincastro

Hello all!

I apologize for only replying back now, but wanted to wait until I finally brought home my Hugo TT2 and got it playing in my system.  Today was the day.  First, let me say "Thank You" for all the responses here...I read every one of them, and I truly appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences with me.

Second...this DAC is simply amazing.  I know that my Bluesound Vault 2 isn't a "hi-end" streaming/server solution, but thru this Chord, I am completely blown away by how much better the music sounds!  Yes, the soundstage, imaging, resolution and musicality have all improved by very noticeable amounts, but the most striking aspect was how much more range I'm getting from my Kef Blade Two's.  Prior to the Chord, it's as if I was listening to a lovely quintet playing chamber music to now getting the London Philharmonic in Albert Hall with it.  The presence, sense of slam and depth in the lows and absolute clarity up high have improved at levels I didn't expect...a relief, really, as I was a bit worried that improvements wouldn't justify the cost because, well, digital.  All I can say is that, while the Hugo TT2 is definitely expensive, it has transformed my streaming experience drastically.  To top it off, the build quality, fit-and-finish and feature set are all top class.

As others have suggested, I am going to enjoy my current set-up for a while before getting anything else.  This DAC has made me want to start rediscovering my music file collection as well as all my favorites on Tidal and Qobuz.  This should last me quite a while before the dreaded "upgrade-itis" strikes again. 

Again, I want to thank you all for sharing your input...Be well and Happy Listening!

Arvin  

 

@audphile1 - Thank you so much for your suggestion re configuring the TT2 in Amp mode versus DAC mode.  In my system, the difference was definitely noticeable and I even got an increase in gain.  Currently, my sweet spot is having the TT2 at -10L on the volume, Low Gain and Filter 1 settings.  I was going back and forth between Filter 1 and Filter 3, but having tubes in my pre-amp made the Filter 3 setting less resolute after a while...just felt there was a smidge less detail and seperation, even though the music was still imminently  good.

Again, Thanks for sharing your input...it really made getting this DAC up and playing well a lot easier and faster.  Happy Listening!

Arvin

@arvincastro 

This should last me quite a while before the dreaded "upgrade-itis" strikes again.

Sometimes this means many months, and other times it means days. wink

congrats, and enjoy!

Congratulations! It’s such a great relief and happy surprise when you spend a lot on a new component and it bests your expectations. Virtually every one of mine over the last forty or fifty years have been like that… hence how addictive the pursuit is.

 

Enjoy.