Audio T Verdict
Hugo TT 2 takes much of what makes the transportable Hugo 2 special and turns everything up several notches. The FPGA is more powerful, the WTA filter doubles to 98,304 taps and six supercapacitors give the analogue stage enough current to tackle some seriously demanding headphones.
It is also much more than a headphone amplifier. Hugo TT 2 can operate as a standalone DAC, a digital preamplifier or a powerful variable-output source for a suitable power amplifier. Balanced XLR and RCA outputs make system integration straightforward, while Hugo M Scaler provides a natural upgrade path.
If headphone listening is a major part of your system but you still want a DAC capable of sitting at the centre of a full-size Hi-Fi setup, Hugo TT 2 occupies a particularly useful sweet spot in the Chord Electronics range.
Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2
Hugo TT 2 is Chord Electronics' tabletop DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier, positioned between Hugo 2 and the flagship DAVE.
Its core features include:
- Custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA
- 98,304-tap 16FS WTA 1 filter
- 10-element Pulse Array design
- 86 DSP cores operating at 208MHz
- PCM playback up to 768kHz
- DSD64 to DSD512 support
- Three headphone outputs
- Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analogue outputs
- Digital preamplifier and line-level modes
- Six-supercapacitor power supply
- Four selectable digital filters
- Three-stage headphone crossfeed
98,304-Tap FPGA DAC
Hugo TT 2 does not use a conventional off-the-shelf DAC chipset. Its digital conversion is built around a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA custom programmed for Chord Electronics' proprietary architecture.
The 16FS WTA 1 filter uses:
98,304 taps.
That is twice the filter length used by Hugo 2, with 86 208MHz processing cores operating in parallel and a 10-element Pulse Array output stage.
Powerful Headphone Amplification
Three front-panel headphone sockets are provided:
- 2 x 6.35mm headphone outputs
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone output
Chord Electronics publishes:
- 288mW RMS into 300 ohms from the unbalanced output
- 7.3W RMS into 8 ohms from the unbalanced output
- 1.15W RMS into 300 ohms from the balanced analogue output stage
- 18W RMS into 8 ohms from the balanced analogue output stage
Balanced Output Does Not Mean a Balanced Headphone Socket
Hugo TT 2's headphone connections are the front-panel 3.5mm and 6.35mm sockets.
The higher balanced power figures published by Chord Electronics relate to the rear XLR analogue outputs, not to a separate XLR headphone socket.
Six-Supercapacitor Power Supply
Unlike the battery-powered original Hugo TT, Hugo TT 2 uses six supercapacitors within its power-supply architecture.
Chord Electronics specifies peak capability of:
The unit is powered by an external 15V / 4A supply rather than an internal rechargeable battery.
Digital Inputs and Playback
USB Type-B
High-resolution USB input supporting compatible PCM playback up to 768kHz and DSD playback up to DSD512.
2 x BNC Coaxial
Two digital coaxial inputs, which also operate together in dual-data mode with Hugo M Scaler.
2 x Optical
Dual TOSLINK inputs provide convenient connection for compatible digital sources.
Bluetooth
The current Audio T product retains extended-range aptX Bluetooth for convenient wireless playback from compatible devices.
DAC, Preamplifier or Fixed Line Level
Hugo TT 2 can serve several roles within a system.
- Headphone amplifier: use the front headphone outputs with Hugo TT 2 controlling volume.
- Digital preamplifier: use the variable RCA or XLR outputs with a suitable power amplifier.
- DAC: activate line-level mode when connecting to an integrated amplifier or conventional preamplifier with its own volume control.
The rear panel provides both stereo RCA and balanced XLR analogue outputs.
Four Filters and Three-Stage Crossfeed
Hugo TT 2 incorporates the four selectable digital filter options introduced with Hugo 2, allowing subtle adjustment of the high-frequency response and overall presentation.
Headphone users also get Chord Electronics' three-stage digital crossfeed system, with Light, Medium and Heavy settings plus Off.
Add Hugo M Scaler
Hugo TT 2 is specifically designed to work with Hugo M Scaler.
The M Scaler's 1,015,808-tap WTA filter can upscale standard 44.1kHz material to 705.6kHz and compatible 48/96kHz-family material to as much as 768kHz, passed to Hugo TT 2 through its dual-BNC connection.
View Chord Electronics Hugo M Scaler
Partner with BerTTi
For a compact Chord Electronics pre-power system, Hugo TT 2 can provide DAC and volume-control duties for the BerTTi stereo power amplifier.
View Chord Electronics BerTTi Power Amplifier
Compact Table Top Design
Despite its processing and output capability, Hugo TT 2 remains relatively compact:
- Width: 235mm
- Depth: 238mm
- Height: 52mm
- Weight: 2.53kg
The precision-machined aluminium case is available in Silver or Satin Black and incorporates steel ball-bearing controls, a glass viewing portal and dot-matrix display.
Key Features
- DAC, preamplifier and headphone amplifier
- Chord Electronics Table Top range
- Custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA
- 98,304-tap 16FS WTA 1 filter
- 10-element Pulse Array design
- 86 x 208MHz processing cores
- PCM up to 768kHz
- DSD64 to DSD512
- 2 x 6.35mm headphone outputs
- 1 x 3.5mm headphone output
- Balanced stereo XLR outputs
- Unbalanced stereo RCA outputs
- Digital volume control
- Fixed line-level mode
- Four digital filters
- Three-stage crossfeed
- Six-supercapacitor power supply
- USB Type-B input
- 2 x BNC coaxial inputs
- 2 x optical inputs
- 2 x DX BNC expansion outputs
- Hugo M Scaler compatible
- BerTTi compatible
- IR remote control included
- Silver or Satin Black finish
- Made in the UK
- Three-year manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2?
It is a tabletop FPGA DAC, digital preamplifier and powerful headphone amplifier.
How many taps does Hugo TT 2 use?
Its 16FS WTA 1 digital filter uses 98,304 taps.
What is the maximum PCM resolution?
Up to 768kHz at up to 32-bit through compatible inputs.
Does Hugo TT 2 support DSD512?
Yes. Chord Electronics specifies DSD64 through DSD512 using DoP, with native DSD available through compatible Windows playback.
How many headphone sockets does it have?
Three: two 6.35mm outputs and one 3.5mm output.
Does Hugo TT 2 have a balanced headphone socket?
No. The balanced XLR connections are rear analogue outputs. The dedicated headphone sockets are 3.5mm and 6.35mm.
Can I use Hugo TT 2 as a preamplifier?
Yes. Its digital volume control and variable RCA or XLR outputs allow it to feed a suitable power amplifier directly.
Can I use it as a fixed-output DAC?
Yes. A dedicated line-level mode can be selected through the menu.
Can I use Hugo M Scaler with Hugo TT 2?
Yes. Hugo TT 2 is one of the Chord Electronics DACs specifically designed to accept M Scaler's full dual-BNC output.
Can I use BerTTi with Hugo TT 2?
Yes. Chord Electronics currently lists BerTTi as a recommended partnering product.
Does Hugo TT 2 run from a battery?
No. Unlike the original Hugo TT, Hugo TT 2 uses six supercapacitors and an external 15V / 4A power supply.
What colours are available?
Audio T currently offers Silver and Satin Black.
What warranty does Hugo TT 2 have?
Chord Electronics provides a three-year manufacturer warranty.
Related Chord Electronics Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Headphone matching and demonstrations
- Hugo M Scaler setup and demonstrations
- BerTTi and power amplifier matching
- DAC and preamplifier setup advice
- Balanced XLR and RCA connection guidance
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to demonstrate Chord Electronics Hugo TT 2 with your headphones or hear it as part of a complete Table Top system.