I listened to Hugo2 as part of the U.K. Tour for ten days. Subsequently, I decided to buy one and so this review is as a result of listening for around two months now. @Relic has produced the definitive review, so mine won't focus on the machine's specs.


Design


The new interface with the coloured buttons make the unit easier to use. I find the new design slightly too much in your face, but that is kind of the modern way.

The new design makes it easier to set up the unit and use the cross feed function or select the type of source eg coaxial, optical. I used the remote control a few times and it is easy to use and nicely designed.


I don't like the rattle of the four balls/buttons - I think that has an effect of cheapening the design, but that is a very small and ultimately irrelevant point versus the quality of the music that Hugo2 can produce.


Initial impressions


Wow! The first thing that I noticed about the Hugo 2 was the unbelievable stunning detail it provides. It doesn't matter the quality of the source or the genre of music, the Hugo2 will extract layers of detail. It didn't matter whether I listened through my 'steady' Sennheiser 600s, detailed Beyerdynamic T90s or my stereo speakers with my Valve amplifier, it just produces musical lushness, combined with that detail retrieval. With my Shure SE 846s, on some recordings the immediate impression was it sounded slightly bright but if you believe what Rob Watts writes that is because of the extreme detail being revealed compared to the 'warm mush' (my words) of other DACs. However, then you realise that any bass that you hear isn't missing any depth. Overall, I was suitably impressed and when I switched back to my Mojo, the difference was like night and day, with the Hugo2 being so much better. I had already sold my Hugo1, but what I find interesting is that it never was a 'step change' better than the Mojo, unlike Hugo2 which definitely is.


Music listened to : Piano & Violin concertos. A lot of Vivaldi. Progressive Rock - Pink Floyd, Riverside, tons of Yes in album , live & bootleg form. Mostly CD, but some Hirez and MP3 (320k).


A few specific examples:


Pink Floyd - Dark side of the Moon on the Introduction to Money is the superb bass and smooth saxophone, and what you can hear better is the different instruments that make up the sound compared to an overall mush of sound. I also listened to the Pink Floyd Friends' version produced by Billy Sherwood. The simple piano solo at the beginning of A Gig in the Sky was memorable.


On Animals, the opening acoustic guitar is right in your face, it could be being played right in front of you. Vocals are crisp & clear.Later on the searing, distorted guitar that wants to cut you in half. Synthesisers that soar effortlessly.Pigs snort like real ones , so realistic that it initially gave me a shock


Love - the Beatles is an interesting album as it showcases songs that you all know so well but subtlety rearranged with tons of musical quirks going on around you. So it's an ideal challenge for Hugo2. The Hugo 2 devours the music and spits it out effortlessly somehow making sense of everything that is going on with beautiful musical simplicity.


Apocalyptica Special Edition - Bitter Sweet : haunting violins/ cellos, followed by the deep bass voice and then the unexpected juxtaposition with the tenor "she's the one that I adore " - the natural timbre of voice is just as if they are singing live to you. And listening through my SE846s, there is no lack of bass.


I have mainly listened to Hugo2 being fed by Coaxial via a DX90, but also via a Sony CD player and Panasonic Blu-ray with digital out. I listened through the headphones mentioned above and also through my valve stereo Sytem, through a Denon unit & mini speakers and through the car stereo systm. Much of my listening has been done on the train with my Shure SE846s.


What I find interesting is that it just doesn't matter what medium you chose or how audiophile it is, the Hugo2 has the ability to make the end result, well, just musical bliss.


Through my Valve Amplier, the combination of the instrument and musical extraction from the Hugo2 and the sublime smoothness of Valves is simply stunning.


Like Hugo 1 ,there is little or no Mobile phone interference on the train unlike the Mojo which does pick up interference from either your phone or other ones around.


Conclusion


The Hugo2 extracts stunning detail and will reveal new layers of sound from all of your favorite CDs. It is able to pick up the unique timbre of every violin, guitar, drum, saxophone, piano etc. and to distinguish the starting and stopping of their individual notes. The instrument separation here is so good that they have a clear edge to them.


A few people have mentioned that Hugo2 is more digital sounding than Hugo1,but I don't find this to be the case. I feel it retains a very analogue sound of its predecessor. All in all it is a musical marvel.


In my old world, the differences between Hugo1 and Mojo or in fact Hugo TT and Hugo1 (when I compared the two on the TT tour), were there, but not necessarily immediate apparent. Hugo2 to my mind is that good that it was immediately clear to me that it would beat those other DACs.


For me, Hugo2 is so good, it doesn't make me want to use the Mojo in its place and in fact I have since sold my Mojo.



So should you buy the Hugo2


1. If you don't own anything remotely equivalent - YES

2. If you own a Mojo - YES (but bear in mind the mojo is portable whereas Hugo2 like Hugo 1 is more transportable, i.e. you can use it when stationary but less easily when walking around).

3. If you own a Hugo1 - YES ( but the upgrade is maybe more worthwhile/apparent in my experience through non IEMs headphones or stereo speaker set up in order to allow you to really appreciate the difference to its fullest extent)

What does the SPDIF iPurifier do ?
 
 
The goal of the SPDIF iPurifier is to clean up the jitter & electrical noise in digital input so that the DAC will more accurately convert it to the music output that you listen to.
So what does it actually do ?
 
 
It re-clocks the digital audio signal, galvanically isolates the DAP from the DAC and uses a Femto clock to provide better timing of the bitstream, together with an ultra clean power source. It doesn't change the bit size though.
 
I was interested in trying it out because the SPDIF iPurifier works on coaxial & optical data which is what I use to feed by Chord Hugo most of the time rather than USB inputs. The unit is also a lot cheaper than the W4S Remedy Reclocker. In the circumstances, I contacted Ifi Audio and they let me try out one.
 
 
Product design and contents
 
The first thing that you notice when you open the box is the number of connectors and cables included. The second is how small the device itself actually is. It is beautifully put together (akin to Apple style packaging) and look & feels to be a quality designed and built product. You should be able to connect your DAP and DAC to the SPDIF iPurifier using one of the many connectors supplied but whilst there is an illustration showing the input and output sockets on the SPDIF iPurifier, they are no instructions as to what each connector does and I needed some help in getting the system to work when using the optical input. All in all it comes nicely packaged and definitely gives the impression of being a quality product.
 
It only runs off mains power, so despite the fact its size would be suitable for portable use, you are unable to do so. Once you get the hang of it, the unit is fairly simple to use. It has a coaxial input connection at one end from your digital source,
which doubles up as an optical input , since this can also read optical data using one of the connectors they supply. At the other end, it has a coaxial output connector. On the side of the unit you have an optical only output and another slot into which the power supply connector fits.
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
Sound improvements ??
 
I have now had it for three months. Does it make a difference ? The answer yes and in a good way, but how much depends on the medium you are listening to.
 
Using the SPDIF iPurifier between my Ibasso DX90 & Chord Hugo via coaxial input and then into my Fatman SET 202 Amplier and into Stereo Speakers, there was a noticeable improvement. Everything was brought into a sharper focus, the bass became deeper, the cymbals crisper and there was a general greater level of silk smoothness to the music. It had better shape and definition, and a bigger soundstage, which in turn meant better separation.
 
A couple of examples.
 
I was listening to After on Second Life Syndrome by the Polish prog band Riverside (great band by the way), and Mariusz Duda's whispered intro literally seemed to jump out into the room at me and all the other instruments were more clearly defined. Interestingly, it gave the impression of being louder than when not using the IFI Purifier, which I assume was due to the greater focus.
 
On Yes' Awaken, the music had an extra creamy silky smoothiness when listening to Wakeman's synthesisers. Alan White's percussion sounded crisper.
 
When using the SPDIF iPurifier into headphone whether into my Beyerdynamic T90s or Shure SE846s, I did not hear as noticeable a difference. It did seem to be more "musical" but the extent of the sharper focus that I could hear through stereo speakers was much less apparent.
 
This could be because in my opinion headphones aren't so good as speakers at determining instrument separation , image/focus or the 3D holographic soundstage of the music being listened to.
 
CONCLUSION
 
* Brings everything into a sharper focus
* With better shape, definition & clarity
* Increased separation and wider soundstage.
* 10% improvement
 
Although, Chord's Hugo is designed to be pretty much immune from jitter, the SPDIF iPurifier was able improve the sound by cleaning up the source through its re-clocking and galvanic isolation. Logically it would make even more difference with DACs where jitter is a bigger problem. At £145, it's the most competitive coaxial or optical "data cleaner" in the market. This is a hobby where users are looking for step by step improvements and certainly for the speaker set up, the SPDIF iPurifier noticeably delivers. For me it's a keeper.
 
 
 

Introduction
 
Whilst I have always loved listening to music, it was only after I deciding to purchase a Valve Amplifier three years ago that I began my current obsession in listening to music through better & better equipment.
 
At home I tend to listen through my stereo system through speakers more than headphones by using my Hugo as a DAC and so the majority of my review is therefore using the TT as a DAC into my home stereo system.
 
I have a single ended Class A Amplification provided by a Fatman 202. I bought this to try and combat the digital sound of the MP3s I was playing through IPod at the time.
 
I have since upgraded all the Chinese Valves that came with it to NOS Valves which I roll every now again. My favourite combination are black plate Tungsol 6550s for the two power tubes and a Tungsol JTL 5670 as the input pre-amp tube. I have a pair of GE Jan 5670s as driver pre-amp tubes, but these latter two have less impact on the sound than the input tube.
 
My speakers are Revolver 3 bookshelf ones.
 
The TT was fed by a coaxial cable from a DX90 or from the coaxial digital out from a Sony CD player.
 
Because my fellow TT Tour reviewers have already listed the specs and how to operate the machine so well already, there is no need for me to repeat this information.
 
I listen to a fairly varied collection of music, although Prog Rock (Yes, Pink Floyd, to Riverside, Steven Wilson & Muse) forms the majority of my collection, but so does Classical and Pop (Blondie through to Adele).
 
First Impressions
 
When I first opened up the the Box containing the TT, I was very surprised at the size & weight of the Hugo TT. What immediately struck me was how inadequate my Hugo looked compared to the TT.
 
The TT simply looks as if it naturally belonged in my sitting room. My Hugo looked like little toy and not the real high quality DAC that we know it is. This statement actually says more about the WOW factor of the TT versus any shortcomings of the Hugo.
 
Chord have done the right thing by creating a strong statement , ie I am a Hugo TT and I *belong* here.
 
Musical impressions
 
And what about the sound of the TT? As you would expect you have the Hugo signature - superb musicality, intimate details of the music and never in a way that detracts from that musicality, but you have more with the TT.
 
I think these words sum the difference up - greater authority, impact and control. It *is* somehow just more assured.
 
The drums sound like they are more tightly skinned, the bass guitar has a greater depth of sound and at times of musical climax, the TT has more impact than the Hugo.
 
I started by comparing the Hugo and the TT on a few tracks, but then just went on to enjoy the TT.
 
Bijou by Queen - you get the visceral sound of the opening guitar it sounds somehow sharper and cutting through the air more cleanly with the TT, raising the hairs on the back of my head. The opening notes sung by Freddie Mercury hit you harder.
 
These are the Final Days of our Lives by Queen - the tom toms sound more taught as if their skins have been stretched more tightly.
 
Love of my life by Queen - the piano is just more realistic, the harpsichord is right in the room with you, Freddie’s voice is more mournful & dramatic.
 
Famous Blue Coat by Jennifer Warnes - the clarity of her voice is beautiful, you can hear every breath that she is taking, and the saxophone comes in with an exquisite solo.
 
Joan of Arc - from the shimmering guitars, to the emotional singing of Jennifer Warnes and the duet with the deep melodic bass of the male voice you are taken to musical heaven.
 
One of my favourite pieces is Relayer by Yes, a 20-minute extravaganza that has some very complex and fast playing mix of instruments during the 'war sequence'. This can sound very mushy on poor systems, unable to get a decent separation of the instruments, but the TT has no such issues. This musical chaos is followed by the calmness of "Soon or Soon the Light" where Jon's voice comes out from complete blackness, combined with melodic soaring & ethereal guitars. The TT copes with all with aplomb.
 
The Great Gig in the Sky by the Many Faces of Pink Floyd - the opening piano intro is just as if the instrument is being played in your living room by Rick Wakeman, the female singer's orgasmic warbling is lovely and her highest notes are just wonderful.
 
I guess I am used to the “Tubey” sound of my Amp. The combination of that Class A warmth being input by the clarity of the TT is a strong one. All in all, my Stereo system has never sounded so wonderful.
 
My Amplifier certainly enjoyed the experience of being fed by the TT -
 
 
Headphones
 
I also listened to the TT through the two headphones provided which were the Grado and the Beyer Dynamic T90s, as well as my Sennheiser HD600s. All three were driven easily by the TT.
 
I must mention the beginning of one piece, Speak to me – Breathe by the Many Faces of Pink Floyd, as I was astounded by the imagery of the TT combined with the Grado & Beyer Dynamic headphones. I had never noticed this before.
 
As a general comment, with the TT imaging is really well defined and you are able to place how many instruments are being played and where these instruments are in relative to other instruments in the room.
 
I was very impressed by the greater clarity of the two headphones on loan, which both did sound very good with the TT. Although sound wise the Grado's edged the cheaper T90s, I didn't enjoy the actual fit of the Grado's, as the earpieces surround your ears rather than fitting on them. The T90s are now on my list to buy though.
 
 
Conclusion
 
The TT serves a different market than the Hugo. The TT for one isn't portable and it also just looks in a different class to the Hugo. When placed next to my Valve Amplifier, it looked right. The TT can exist as an iconic piece of furniture in its own right.
 
If you are looking for a top of the range DAC and you don't need portability, then the TT could be for you.
 
You are most likely to keep it in one spot in the house and either use it a headphone amplifier or as a DAC into your desktop Hifi system.
 
HOWEVER, it has an interesting advantage over many other DACs in that it runs off batteries and therefore you can very easily just disconnect the charging lead and take it with you to another room in order to listening to your music in other room. Chord’s terminology is that it is transportable.
 
The musicality of the TT is wonderful and if you buy one, you won't be disappointed - that , for me, is a given.
 
The TT represents an improvement in sound quality over the Hugo, it's not night and day but it *is* there in terms of greater authority and impact. It is a definitely a more assured machine.
 
If you have a Hugo, though you are unlikely to go out & buy a TT. Logically you would save up and wait for the DAVE.
 
If you don't have a Hugo, and you don't need portability, then make sure you put the TT onto your demo list.
 
Finally, a big thank you to OK-Guy for including me on the TT tour and to Chord for entrusting me with their kit. It was a sad day last week when I had to package it up and send it onwards.