Description
The Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 is a high-performance tabletop DAC, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier designed for reference-quality digital audio systems. Developed from Hugo 2 and positioned below Chord's flagship DAVE, Hugo TT 2 combines Chord's proprietary FPGA-based DAC technology with powerful headphone amplification and flexible preamplifier functionality in a precision-machined aluminum chassis.
At its core is an advanced 98,304-tap WTA digital filter, supported by a custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA and 10-element Pulse Array design. Hugo TT 2 supports high-resolution PCM up to 768 kHz and DSD playback up to DSD512.
Advanced FPGA DAC Technology
Hugo TT 2 uses a custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA with 86 parallel 208 MHz cores to implement Chord's advanced 16FS WTA 1 filtering architecture.
Its 98,304-tap filter provides twice the tap length of Hugo 2, while the 10-element Pulse Array architecture and second-order noise shaping work together to deliver highly accurate digital-to-analog conversion with exceptionally low distortion and noise.
Four selectable digital filters allow the presentation to be adjusted for different recordings and listening preferences.
Powerful Headphone Amplification
Hugo TT 2 incorporates a high-power discrete output stage capable of driving a wide range of headphones. It provides two 6.35 mm headphone outputs and one 3.5 mm headphone output, making it easy to accommodate different headphone connections.
Unbalanced headphone output reaches 288 mW into 300Ω and 7.3 W into 8Ω, while the balanced output architecture is capable of substantially higher power.
For headphone listening, Chord's selectable digital crossfeed provides three levels—Light, Medium, and Heavy to create a more speaker-like sense of depth and spatial presentation.
DAC and Preamplifier for a Complete Audio System
Hugo TT 2 is equally at home at the center of a high-end two-channel system. It provides both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs, allowing connection to compatible power amplifiers, integrated amplifiers, and other audio components.
Digital volume control enables Hugo TT 2 to function as a preamplifier, while a dedicated line-level mode allows it to operate as a fixed-output DAC when connected to a separate preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
Unlike the original Hugo TT's battery-based architecture, Hugo TT 2 uses six supercapacitors capable of supplying substantial instantaneous current to its output stage.
Ready for Hugo M Scaler
Hugo TT 2 is designed to integrate with the Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler through dual BNC connectivity. Adding Hugo M Scaler provides Chord's advanced 1M-tap digital upscaling and allows the two components to form a powerful Chord digital front end.
Key Features
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Tabletop DAC, preamplifier & headphone amplifier
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98,304-tap FPGA WTA filter
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PCM playback up to 768 kHz / 32-bit
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DSD support up to DSD512
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High-current supercapacitor power system
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Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs
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Multiple 3.5 mm and 6.35 mm headphone outputs
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Four selectable filters and adjustable crossfeed
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Designed to partner with Hugo M Scaler
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2?
How is Hugo TT 2 different from Hugo 2?
Can Hugo TT 2 be used as a preamplifier?
Can Hugo TT 2 be used as a standalone DAC?
What headphone connections does Hugo TT 2 provide?
What audio resolutions does Hugo TT 2 support?
Can Hugo TT 2 be used with Hugo M Scaler?
Specifications
| TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS | |
| DAC Architecture | Custom-Coded Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA |
| Filter | 98,304-Tap 16FS WTA 1 |
| Pulse Array | 10-Element Design |
| PCM Support | Up to 768 kHz / 32-Bit |
| DSD Support | DSD64 through DSD512 via DoP; Native via Compatible Windows Setup |
| Digital Inputs |
1 × USB Type-B 2 × BNC Coaxial 2 × Optical |
| Analog Outputs |
1 × Stereo Balanced XLR Pair 1 × Stereo Unbalanced RCA Pair 2 × 6.35 mm Headphone Outputs 1 × 3.5 mm Headphone Output |
| Digital Outputs | 2 × DX BNC Expansion Outputs |
| Unbalanced Output Power @ 1% THD |
288 mW RMS into 300Ω 7.3 W RMS into 8Ω |
| Balanced Output Power @ 1% THD |
1.15 W RMS into 300Ω 18 W RMS into 8Ω |
| Dynamic Range | 127 dB A-Weighted |
| Noise | 4 µV A-Weighted High Gain / 1.7 µV A-Weighted Low Gain |
| Distortion | 0.00008% at 2.5 V / 300Ω; 0.00016% at 6 W / 8Ω |
| Output Impedance | 0.042Ω |
| Stereo Separation | -138 dB at 9 V RMS / 300Ω |
| Volume Control | Digital |
| Line-Level Mode | Menu Selectable |
| Driver Support |
macOS — Driverless Linux — Driverless Windows — Chord Driver Required |
| Power Consumption |
Full Power — 30 W Standby — 10 W |
| Dimensions | 52 × 235 × 238 mm (H × W × D) |
| Weight | 2.53 kg |
| WHAT'S INCLUDED | |
| Included Accessories |
Hugo TT 2 Quickstart Guide Safety Instructions 15 V / 4 A Switching Power Supply IR Remote Control USB Type-A to Type-B Cable Optical Cable 2 × AAA Batteries |
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