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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
thod
2 posts
 
My cg-10m arrived, I think it worth it, I also have another system auralic Vega g1, with the clock, the sound stage is similar now, but indeed teac have more details than Vega g1, my current setup is focal kanta n1, luxman l590 ax mark ii, I have tried different amplifier and dac to make my focal sounds the best, kanta is a good speaker, but I still find it relatively bright, so I have to find something warm to match it up, I even tried McIntosh ma5300, but it didn't work out, and luxman class A really did its job here with focal, Now I really love my current setup with teac505 and the cg-10m, I think I can stop and enjoy now
canibefrank
406 posts
 
right on
gkg2k OP
21 posts
 
My cg-10m arrived, I think it worth it, I also have another system auralic Vega g1, with the clock, the sound stage is similar now, but indeed teac have more details than Vega g1, my current setup is focal kanta n1, luxman l590 ax mark ii, I have tried different amplifier and dac to make my focal sounds the best, kanta is a good speaker, but I still find it relatively bright, so I have to find something warm to match it up, I even tried McIntosh ma5300, but it didn't work out, and luxman class A really did its job here with focal, Now I really love my current setup with teac505 and the cg-10m, I think I can stop and enjoy now

So we can say the TEAC clock CG-10M worked on the soundstage and the three-dimensionality mainly. It's the most important part of the sound indeed!

Thank you and enjoy your system 😉

Gianluca
jaymark's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jaymark
486 posts
 

Just got the CG-10M masterclock to go with my modded Teac NT-505. It is an easily noticeable improvement in liquidity, focus, and overall coherence. I read a review of the masterclock before I had it hooked up. The review basically called it snake oil. After listening to this combo after letting it play overnight, I just laughed my ass off at the review.

gkg2k OP
21 posts
 

You have to put yourself in a position where you can hear it, know how to hear it and want to hear it 😉

 

Thanks for your report!

 

Gianluca

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