Chord Electronics Hugo TT

Hugo TT DAC/headphone amp

Discontinued replaced by Hugo TT2

With the new Hugo TT (Table Top) Chord Electronics built on the extraordinary success of their genre-defining Hugo DAC/headphone amplifier. The new larger desktop-orientated device offers greater connectivity including a USB-B input, XLR outputs, two quarter inch headphone outputs, plus improved performance and features.

Compared to the more mobile Hugo, the Hugo TT gains a new larger chassis, remote control, an alphanumeric LED display with input/sample rate data, and improved sonic performance thanks to supercapacitors.

Advanced sample rate capability

The Hugo TT is ready to take advantage of today’s advanced studio-master-quality (DXD) music files allowing music lovers to experience music in true high definition, along with the best possible reproduction of CD-quality music. Hugo TT supports up to 32-bit/384kHz audio via coax and USB, and 24-bit/192kHz over optical, plus DSD64 on all inputs and DSD128 via coax or USB (all via DoP).

In a key upgrade over the original Hugo, the Hugo TT benefits from a high-quality asynchronous B-type USB connection for both the SD and HD USB input. With two further digital inputs: a (new) BNC coaxial and optical (TOSLink), any connected component with a digital output can benefit from the Hugo TT’s advanced sound quality.

Bluetooth

To fully integrate with today’s digitally stored media, the new Hugo TT also has A2DP Bluetooth capability and uses a custom-made module with the aptX codec to feed a digital signal directly into the DAC circuitry, so even without cables, music can still be enjoyed.

Spartan 6 FPGA

The Hugo TT retains the same high-performance Spartan 6 FPGA that enabled Hugo to redefine the DAC genre in 2014. It has the same specification and measured performance as its mobile sibling, a device that “broke all records” for dynamic range in leading UK hi-fi magazine, Hi-Fi World, in the summer of 2014.

Supercapacitors

Being a home-orientated device, the Hugo TT has been designed to run continuously from the supplied charger, however Chord’s engineers have also improved the battery and added Supercap energy storage, a technology seen in F1 where supercacitors back-up the cars batteries by sharing the load and charge demands, thereby protecting them. They serve a similar purpose in the Hugo TT, extending the battery life as well as improving dynamics and demanding transients in recorded music.

Hugo TT key features

Remote control allowing input (source) selection and volume control

Alphanumeric LED display to show settings

Double the battery capacity of Hugo

10,000,000uF (microfarads) of supercapacitor energy storage

Fully balanced outputs using XLR connectors

Single-ended RCA outputs

BNC coaxial digital input

Optical TOSLink input

Full-sized B-type USB inputs for both SD USB and HD USB feeds

Full galvanic isolation on the HD USB input right up to 384kHz

Improved analogue stage output current for low distortion into low impedance loads

2x Quarter-inch jack headphone outputs

1x 3.5mm jack headphone output

Specifications

Advanced digital volume control

Crossfeed filter network

Battery-powered for power supply isolation

Input selection identification and remote volume up or down indication is via alphanumeric display and colour-changing LED display

26K tap-length filter

THD: 140dB

Headphone output: 110dB SPL into a 300ohm headphone load

Inputs Hugo TT

1x Optical TOSLink 24-bit/192KHz-capable

1x BNC coaxial input 32-bit/384kHz -capable

1x HD/SD USB B-type input up to 32-bit/384kHz

Outputs

1×3.5mm headphone jack

2×6.35mm (1/4-inch) headphone jack

1x (pair) stereo RCA phono output

Fully balanced via XLR connectors

Dimensions

235mm x 45mm x 225mm (WxDx H)

Weight 3Kg

Replaced by Hugo TT2