Hi,
The problem was in the signal from mac book pro via usb.
I got a usb interface (Matrix Audio x-spdif 2), and run usb from mac into it, and optically out to TT 2.
Not only are the problems I had gone, but the sound is markedly improved.
Considering replacing mac with external nuc (roon core) and a network bridge, e.g. SOtM sms-200 neo or something similar. Bits arent bits anyway i guess.
Fresh from the horses mouth. 18W rear balanced output designed for hard to drive headphones, not for speakers. If running speakers off it, or needing the 18W to do so, it’ll thermal trip. Use the 7W output, either the RCA or the Pin 1& 2 of the XLR for speakers.
You asked how to do it, not it if it was a good idea. Nor if it would work with low efficiency speakers.
But 18W into 8 ohms is 18W into 8 ohms.
There is nothing special about headphones vs speakers that changes that. The fact that headphones aren’t likely to draw that much for a sustained period (likely never) doesn’t change the fact that if they do, it is still going to trip the thermal protection.
So it’s probably a peak output figure, meaning while it can hit that level of output it cannot sustain it. In other words, marketing games.
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Most certainly. But it was advertised as that power output, and capable of driving speakers. But then those reporting it shuts down or fries itself.
So I asked him direct and that was the response.
Do you folks keep your TT2 powered on at all times, or power up when using? My HMS is on at all times (no power button), but I turn the TT2 on and off as needed. Would be fine keeping always on (on standby) if it didn’t harm the unit.
I just put mine into standby when I’m done listening for a while. Rob Watts provides a little more info here, see point 3.
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Thats weird, he definitely recommended it with speakers early on in the days of the HTT2 thread on Head-Fi.
Is the difference between the Hugo 2 and the Hugo tt2 enough to upgrade?
I have both. Hugo2 is for my portable/office setup and TT2 for home.
TT2 is noticeably better in all aspects compared
to Hugo2 - while still maintaining Chord sound.
Imo, its better to spend the budget on headphone until you reach totl. Then, start updating the amp/dac.
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Agreed. I just received Audeze LCD-5. Testing it out to see if I like it.
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Also curious how the Chord TT2 pairs with the LCD-5.
Waiting to receive my Ferrum Oor+Hypsos(hopefully tomorrow)
Thinking about getting a TT2 as a dac+amp but use XLR from TT2 to Ferrum Oor.
Is this possible and are they a good pairing?
Confused as many seem to use the rear XLR of the TT2 for connecting HP.
I have successfully used the XLR outputs to connect an external amp – though not a Ferrum Oor – so I can’t think of any reason that shouldn’t work.
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If you do get a TT2, I’d recommend reading the manual, more than once. I borrowed one for a couple of weeks, and looking at my original notes, my first sentence after learning how to set it up was “WTFF” (and yes, the over-complexity of the coloured balls UI deserved two F’s in my opinion 
). I’ll add that I very much enjoyed the sound of the TT2 (and preferred it without M-Scaler, which was a purely subjective choice) but hated the UI, although I did eventually get used to it.
Anyway, the reason I said the above, and I’m going off memory here, is that I believe the XLR outputs have different voltages, with a lower voltage in DAC mode (i.e. the TT2 is connected to a separate headphone amp) and a higher voltage in amp mode. Amp mode was designed to use the TT2 as a preamp and connect it to a power amp, but I’ve read that many people enjoy the ‘amp mode’ XLR outputs for hard-to-drive headphones too.
When I had it on loan, I successfully connected the XLR-outs (in low voltage ‘DAC mode’) to various tube and SS amps (Nautilus, Bryston BHA-1 and Burson Soloist 3XP). I don’t have any hard-to-drive headphones, so I didn’t bother trying the XLR in ‘amp mode’. On the other hand, the ‘headphone amp’ mode (e.g. the SE output on the front) worked just fine for a variety of headphones (ZMF Verite, Focal Stellia, Rosson RAD-0).
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“DAC mode” engages low-gain, sets the rear outputs to 2.5V/5V (SE/Balanced), and disables the volume control. Rob Watts has stated that the use of low-gain here was an error on Chord’s part.
“Amp mode” just allows you to adjust the output voltage to whatever is connected, be they headphone or external amplifier. Rob Watts recommends always using high-gain unless you’re listening through very sensitive IEMs or headphones and encountering noise.
I wonder why that would be an error, it’s a pretty standard output voltage for a DAC. Or is Watts saying that he regrets it was fixed, and that he’d liked to have given people the option of changing it?
Low-gain introduces an additional resistor [1] into the signal path which brings a corresponding, minuscule, reduction in transparency according to Mr. Watts.
2.5V/5V can also be achieved in high-gain so there is no need to “compromise” the signal path by using low-gain. [2]
Note: I’m just repeating points Mr. Watts has made on other forums, and am not advocating for a “right” choice. If you and your ears are happy, then that is all that matters.
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LCD 5 have sounded great to me out of the TT2. I can enjoy them without EQ on it. I think they have a good synergy with the TT2, and single ended out is all you need for them.
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Has anyone compared the TT2 vs the Ferrum Oor+Hypsos?
How do they compare on detail ,soundstage, macrodynamics?
What DAC feeds the Ferrum?
I found the OOR to be a bit underwhelming with the LCD5. Didn’t have the magic people report it to have with the Susvara. I think the super low LCD5 impedance may not suit it.
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Currently using SMSL SU-9 I know nothing fancy but sounds good to me but haven’t had much point of comparison.
Considering getting a TT2 and using it to feed the Oor and the Mogwai SE.
How would you say the TT2 amp sounds compared to Oor with the LCD-5?
Will it be a good improvement as a DAC compared to the SU-9? What will I gain/lose?
Currently really enjoying the LCD-5 via Ferum Oor+Hypsos I find detail is incredible and it has more soundstage/separation compared to the Mogwai but then obviously the Mogwai has it own magic by putting everything in front of you and sounding smooth but bassy/punchy at the same time.
Be interested to compare vs TT2 as a whole.