CHORD Hugo TT2 vs TEAC NT-505 + TEAC CG-10M Master Clock


I know someone will say I’m comparing apples and oranges.

I own an Esoteric SA-10 with its excellent VOSP mechanism and I want to upgrade by adding a DAC.

I’m purely considering audio quality and I can’t easily audition/compare the two solutions I selected : the CHORD Hugo TT2 (4’790 € in my country) and the TEAC combo NT-505 + CG-10M 10MHz Master Clock (a total of 3’198 € + ~200 € for the digital cable for the clock).

I’ve always been fascinated by the CHORD with its special FPGA-based D-to-A technology and the Hugo TT2 even features super-capacitors in the power supply. On the other side the TEAC NT-505 has got wonderful reviews and it’s equipped with the AKM AK4497 chips of the Esoteric N-01 (~20’000 €). The NT-505 can likely be boosted by the CG-10M dedicated Master Clock and I consider it a combo that inspires me.

I’m looking for a full-bodied sound with lots of detail and focus. I like a holographic soundstage.

Could you please help me in this choice? The Chord is a much more expensive stand-alone DAC compared to the NT-505 (4’790 vs 1’699!) but will it win hands-down also considering the external TEAC Master Clock in the equation?

Thank you very much!
Gianluca
gkg2k

Showing 3 responses by canibefrank

not sure the clock is an audible benefit unless you are listening to orchestra music

there was a review I read of the NT-505 with the TEAC external clock that mentioned the stock NT-505 with the dual clocks are absolutely excellent. If you are looking for the last little bit of HiFi with your music or studio application, use the external TEAC clock. You would need a highly resolving set of monitors-speakers to hear that external clock benefit.