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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
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,785 posts
 

A caution to Mc and Chord owners.  Eversolo does not recognize mc DA2 card and some Chord DACs.  Some Accuphase too

iseland's avatar
iseland
130 posts
 

What ever you do, don't get anything eversolo if you plan to use an external dac. 

iseland's avatar
iseland
130 posts
 

Get innuos 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,785 posts
 

I have been waiting 3 months for Eversolo to correct bad FW....  too bad because hardware isn't bad .  It's the lack of real support that will eventuality  kill the brand.   

arvincastro's avatar
arvincastro OP
121 posts
 

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  

 

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