Chord Hugo TT2 DAC / Preamp / Headphone Amp - Black

A Desktop DAC With Serious Processing Power

The Chord Hugo TT2 is a DAC, a preamp and a headphone amp. It is built around a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA. Chord writes its own WTA filter onto that chip, running 98,304 taps across 86 parallel cores.

That is double the tap count of the smaller Hugo 2. It is about five times the power of the first Hugo TT, the model it replaces. It swaps the battery for six super capacitors, which can hand over high, steady current the moment it is asked for.

Lit spherical controls on the front show the input and the incoming sample rate. They do it with a color scale. A small remote handles volume and source from your chair.

Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs, Serious Headroom

Inputs cover USB Type-B, two coax BNC, and two optical connections. PCM decodes up to 768kHz at 16 to 32 bits. DSD support runs from DSD64 to DSD512 over DoP.

Outputs include balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA line stages. Two 6.35mm jacks and one 3.5mm jack sit on the front. Two DX BNC outputs are there as well, held back for future Chord products.

Headphone output reaches 7.3 watts into 8 ohms unbalanced. Balanced, it reaches 18 watts into the same load. Distortion is just 0.00016% at 6 watts. Dynamic range is rated at 127dB A-weighted.

A three-stage crossfeed and a four-stage filter are both set from the menu. Digital volume control keeps the signal path clean. Output impedance is just 0.042 ohms, and the most it draws is 30 watts. It measures 5.2 by 23.5 by 23.8cm and weighs 2.53kg.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Richard Barclay reviewed the Hugo TT2 for The Ear in September 2019. He found "breathtaking speed and clarity," matched with "variegated timbres." Together, he wrote, they "provide a highly detailed yet well-rounded listening experience with no hint of sterility."

Barclay also singled out the noise floor for praise, noting that the "TT2 offers an exceptionally quiet backdrop regardless of gain setting."

Andrew Simpson reviewed it for Audiograde in January 2024, as part of Chord's full Hugo Table Top range. "The clarity with which they present the music is exceptional for a recording at this sample rate," he wrote, "and would put many a hi-res recording to shame."

Simpson found that percussion in particular showed off the system's composure. "It's the attack which they bring to the start/stop nature of the percussion," he wrote, "that shows how unflappable this combination is."

Who Is This DAC Best For?

• Listeners who want one box to handle DAC, preamp, and headphone duty. Balanced and unbalanced line outputs sit alongside three headphone jacks.
• Owners of demanding, hard-to-drive headphones. Up to 18W RMS balanced output covers even power-hungry planar and dynamic headphones.
• Anyone building a desktop system with a power amp or active speakers. Digital volume control and balanced XLR outputs let the TT2 work directly as a preamp.
• Listeners who want proven, independently reviewed performance. Two named reviewers at established publications praised its clarity, timing, and quiet backdrop.
• You want the desk to be its home — mains and super-capacitor power let the TT2 run without the compromises a battery would impose. See our headphones.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect a computer to the USB input, or a transport or streamer to one of the coax or optical inputs. Run the balanced or unbalanced output to your amplifier or powered speakers. Or plug headphones directly into one of the three headphone jacks.

Use the included remote to switch inputs and set volume, and cycle through the crossfeed and filter settings from the front panel to suit your headphones or recordings.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the Chord Hugo TT2:

• Headphones that benefit from its high-power balanced output
• Power amplifiers or active speakers for a compact desktop system
• Digital cables to connect a transport or streaming source
• Interconnects: A clean run to the amplifier — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from the Hugo 2?

The TT2 runs double the Hugo 2's WTA filter tap count. It also adds balanced XLR outputs, higher headphone output power, and a desktop-sized chassis. The Hugo 2 stays more compact and portable, running on an internal battery.

Can I use this as a preamplifier?

Yes. Digital volume control and balanced or unbalanced line outputs let the TT2 connect directly to a power amplifier or active speakers.

What are the DX BNC outputs for?

They're reserved for future Chord products and aren't currently used. Think of them as forward compatibility rather than a connection you'll need today.

What's the warranty?

Chord Electronics covers the Hugo TT2 with a three-year warranty.

How much headphone power is there?

7.3 watts RMS into 8 ohms unbalanced, and 18 watts RMS into 8 ohms balanced, with distortion of 0.00016% at 6 watts.

See It in Action

Passion for Sound on the Hugo TT2:

And Audio Science Review measures it:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about DAC filters and crossfeed, matching a headphone amp to your headphones, or getting the most from your digital source? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.