Chord Electronics Hugo TT2 Review

XI Audio – SagraDAC (3,395$)

The SagraDAC is very different to the Hugo TT2. Not only is it a plain DAC without any volume control, but it also uses a completely different DAC technology. It uses a resistor ladder design to convert digital streams into analogue signals.

In a sound perspective these two also couldn’t be more different in my opinion. The SagraDAC is probably my most organic sounding DAC. It sounds smoother and warmer than the Hugo TT2, but in comparison the TT2 has more precision and accuracy. It renders the musicians and instruments with higher resolution and places them in a bigger scaled stage. The XI Audio DAC keeps things smaller and more compressed in direct comparison. But it features a unique sound that is hard to come by in other DACs.

The SagraDAC has higher levels of richness throughout the entire spectrum than the Hugo TT2. The Chord Electronics however creates a taller sound that has more air and emotions in it. With the Hugo TT2 it is easier to pin-point instruments for me. It has sharper imaging and better layering and depth.

The XI Audio DAC has a softer sound that goes more for pure enjoyment in my opinion. The Hugo TT2 is more exciting with its high technical powers. The biggest difference for me between the two is definitely in the experience overall. The Hugo TT2 wows me with its superb clarity and precision. The SagraDAC convinces me with its impressive natural sound, where I get more weight and a thicker sound overall.

The Hugo TT2 grabs my attention and never lets go, it keeps me excited for the whole time. With the SagraDAC that’s different. It places me in a more relaxed state of mind, where I can kick back and enjoy an almost analogue sounding session. But in the end, it’s the Chord Electronics that impresses me more.

Matrix Audio – Element M (1,799$)

The Element M is probably the closest to the Hugo TT2 of the bunch in terms of features. It even tops the Chord Electronics for having network input and being able to be controlled by a smartphone or tablet. Except for that, the Element M also has adjustable or fixed XLR and RCA outputs and a headphone output. The Matrix DAC/amp uses the flagship chip from ESS, namely the ESS9038 Pro, which is an eight channel DAC. The Element M is also one of my favorite DACs at home, which I very often use hooked up to my headphone amplifiers.

In terms of sound the Hugo TT2 offers a bigger picture and a slightly warmer sound than the Element M. The Matrix has a richer sound that especially shows in the upper mid and treble segment. Here it has a more saturated glow than the Hugo TT2, which sounds a bit dryer than the Matrix.

The Hugo TT2 has a more precise sound than the Element M. It renders at a higher rate and places instruments in a wider, deeper and taller room. The Chord Electronics puts more air around the instruments to give them more space. Vocals and instruments have bigger body with the Hugo TT2 than on the Element M. The Matrix sounds a bit smaller in that regard, but it features more weight than the Chord Electronics.

The Chord Electronics features a better and more accurate texture with higher resolution. It also has the upper-hand in terms of layering, imaging and separation to me. The Matrix Audio doesn’t have the same finesse as the Hugo TT2. With the Chord Electronics I get the feeling of being transported into the scene, which is something I don’t experience with the Matrix.

Conclusion

Chord Electronics’ Hugo TT2 is a wonderful piece of equipment. It’s beautifully finished with superb craftsmanship and its sound is nothing short of spectacular. The only thing I would have liked different is in the use of headphone outputs. I know Chord Electronics says a balanced output is not needed for their products, but just for the ease of use it would be great to replace the 3.5 and one of the 6.35mm outputs with one 4-pin XLR output. Although for headphones I still stick to my dedicated amplifiers, as they take the TT2’s sound just a bit further.

This has been a long journey, but such a great one. Over the last months I have gotten to know the Hugo TT2 inside and out. From the start it has made its place at the very top of my DAC list clear. I can absolutely see why people would call it quits after getting the Hugo TT2. Personally, I could be so very happy with just the Hugo TT2 and my Kef LS50 system.

It hurts me a little to say this, but since the Hugo TT2 has been installed as my main two-channel DAC I have somewhat questioned my headphone inventory. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to listen to my full-sized headphones at home, but I deeply enjoy listening to my LS50’s a whole lot more now. The Hugo TT2 has given me a perspective on the speaker set-up that I didn’t think I could get in our small living-room in the apartment. Chord Electronics’ TT2 has transformed my listening experience at home drastically. The Hugo TT2 is by no means a cheap product, but I don’t regret having spent a single Cent. In fact, it made me very curious to hear what the Hugo M Scaler would do to the sound. The chase of the white audio rabbit continues…

Best DAC/Amp List material? With that sound, it’s impossible not to put it up there.