Chord Hugo TT Review

Abyss + USB + Direct amp
Clips with the highest setting on the Abyss
Warmer than 430HA
A bit more treble glare/harshness compared to the 430HA. Fatigue.
Flatter than the 430 amp
Abyss + USB + 430HA + Kimber Silver Streak
Wow, you get a much more natural presentation
immediately a bigger sound
More accurately sized characters
Authority
Live atmosphere
More coherent, smooth, calm while the hugo's amp has a bit more digital and excitement to it
blacker background
Overall I don't think the Abyss synergizes well with the Hugo. Just not enough power. Clips at near full power.
With the 430HA there is MUCH more control and smoothness.

Chord hugo TT

You hear so much more of the music. Much more dynamic. Amazing.
Separation and layering is at another level.
microdetails, amazing
night & day
not just aboslute separation but maintains cohesion
tonally balanced with indivdiuality preserved
fun and not overly warm
it's difficult to compare it to the the other combination because...it just doesn't compare.
sounds wehat would some say...pefect, there coudln't be better. sadly there is better but let's forget about that for a moment :)
doesn't sound as sweet as the pathos
amazing layering

Equipment:

PS Audio P10
Lumin S1 + Audience AU24 SE
Hugo TT + HDMI to Optical from Lumin S1 + Kimber Silverstreak RCA (Ultraplate)
Hugo with Kimber D60 Illuminati RCA + Black Cat BNC to RCA adapter + Kimber Silver Streak RCA (WBT-0147)
Moon 430HA
Balanced Abyss + stock cable
Asus Wireless Bridge + SOtM

Chord Hugo TT vs. Chord Hugo Adele - Can't Let Go

Hugo
vs. TT
Sounds a bit muffled, congested in comparison.
TT sounds immediately more spacious with a quieter background
vs. Lumin
Lumin is much more dynamic.
Hugo TT
vs. Hugo
Lower noise floor
Hugo sounds veiled in comparison.
Much more extension on the TT. Amazing clarity.
vs. Lumin
Lumin sounds more natural overall, no harshness at all.
TT sounds a bit digital in comparison
Lumin sounds "right"
Lumin
vs. TT
Vocals sound more natural and not as harsh as TT

Keisza - Cut Me Loose

Note: the harshness disappeared when I switched from optical to bnc to the TT. Could be the converter?
Lumin
vs. Hugo
Hugo is not as dynamic.
Sounds much flatter than Lumin. Vocals bleed in with the piano and the rest. Same plane.
Overall sounds good, but not 3D as far as soundstage, but the vocals and instruments do sound natural and organic.
Lumin much more emotive and powerful, blacker background. Hugo sounds veiled by a few layers, almost constricted as far as extension.
Lumin sound much more transparent, no smearing.
Hugo still sounds good but flatter, her voice doesn't extend too high. Not as engaging.
vs. TT
I'm not sure if it's the Abyss cable but there's this annoying shrill in her voice and overall sounds more digital and lean/bright.
The Lumin just sounds more real and natural. Two completely different sound.
The TT sounds every so slightly grainier in comparison to the Lumin
The Lumin conveys the sense of space better, piano sounds more realistic, easier to listen to, without loss of dynamics.. Such a great DAC.
TT has a blacker background but loses a bit of that warmth that gives you a better sense of space. Sounds lean/brighter than the Lumin.
The Lumin isn't warm by any means, it just sounds right. It's extremely well controlled and doesn't break under pressure. Much, MUCH better than the TT IMO.
Hugo
vs. TT
TT has a wider soundstage with blacker background
There's this shrill on her vocals that bothers me but it could be the abyss cable.
Hugo sounds flatter and less resolving. Veiled.
TT sounds more live, lower noise floor. More emotive. More transparent.
Hugo more constricted, especially in the treble. Easy to listen to on the Abyss.
Hugo lacks all the dynamics of the TT, very flat, few layers of veil.

Adventure of a Lifetime - Coldplay (24/192)

Lumin
vs. TT

Uptone Regen vs. W4S Recovery TT on sonicoribiter with w4s recovery, stock cable and teradak. Chord hugo with chord silverplus and jitterbug direct USB. vs. Chord Hugo Portable

The TT is quieter, more sparkle, more crisp/sharp
Hugo not as textured, flatter, not as much depth
The TT is much better, more musical. more body and texture to strings. More energy. Kind of like how the DAVE is a step up from the TT.
Hugo is duller, no immediacy, relaxed but not soft
TT immediately more spacious with superior layering
TT blacker background, Hugo a bit fuzzier.
TT, outlines are clearly defined, Hugo slightly veiled in comparison. clarity.
TT more real with more depth and resolution, esp in vocals.
For some recoredings like Regina Spektor - Fidelity, they sound similar with the Hugo lacking a bit of air.
Bottomline: the TT has better rythm, clarity, blacker background, cleaner vocals, more textured, more depth. A bit like the upgrade to the TT to the DAVE but not as drastic. Instruments have more body on the TT, esp pianos. TT much quieter background. TT allows you peek deeper into the music, more lifelike. I think it's a huge improvement.
Hugo much flatter, less dynamic, not as immersive, not rounded, flat plane. lacks textures. light grey background.
Swapping the w4s
I would suggest a W4S with Linear PSU with the Chord Hugo, you get more depth and dynamics. Jitterbug isn't enough.
TT is more coherent.
W4S = much blacker background. With the swap, now the TT has the grey background.
Threw a uptone regen on the TT with stock PSU
TT still has more depth and a quieter background.
TT still has better layering and outlining. Violions strokes are more audible. Hugo more bleeding between frequencies. TT textured and delineated.
Hugo still flatter. TT holographic, instantly more spacious and pristine. Reverb is more easily heard.
There's nothing the Hugo beats the TT on. Separation and layering is much better on the TT...while still maintaining coherence.
TT more effortless. Hugo more dull, fuzzy, not as dynamic. TT has much better separation and layering. TT more energy, more fun.