Hugo TT2, Schiit Freya S and Boxem Arthur 4216/E2

[LETRA]

Hello. This is my first post on ASR and I want to congratulate the forum, an inexhaustible source of knowledge. My question is that I have bought a second-hand Schiit Freya S, which I have not yet received, and I plan to connect it to a Hugo Chord TT2 for a setup that will include a Boxem Arthur 4216/E2 in a few weeks. The Hugo TT2 has DAC and headphone amp functions and it is possible to put it in exclusive DAC mode. This is what the manual page of TT2 says:

DAC mode

With headphones disconnected, DAC Mode is selectable. DAC Mode can be employed when used within a conventional audio system, where an external amplifier is present. When this mode is selected, a 2.5V RMS line-level signal will be present on all outputs.

As the output level is fixed within DAC Mode, the Volume ball (and remote control volume) will no longer respond and will no longer illuminate.

Before connecting the Hugo TT 2 to other components, for example a preamplifier or amplifier, please consult the respective user manuals, as they may require a signal less than 2.5V RMS to provide optimum performance. If you require a line-level signal, less than 2.5V, please use Amplification Mode in low gain mode and attenuate the signal as appropriate.

So my question is whether a 2.5V RMS signal from the Hugo TT2 will be suitable to power the Freya S and whether that is conventional or is there some distortion factor.

Another possibility is to configure the Hugo TT2 as a preamp and not use the Freya S. The manual of TT2 says the following:

Amplification mode

Providing headphones are not connected to the Hugo TT 2, Amplification Mode can be manually engaged.

Amplification Mode deploys the Hugo TT 2’s digital preamplifier capabilities[/B] enabling the volume to be attenuated to prevent clipping or to feed directly into a powered amplifier or speaker

When in Amplification Mode, it is possible to drive efficient bookshelf or horn speakers (with suitable cabling), directly from Hugo TT 2’s outputs.
Please note that once the Hugo TT 2 enters Amplification Mode, 8W on RCA and 20W on XLR, the rated spec is 7W/8 RCA and 18/8 (XLR balanced).

This enormous power reserve is available thanks to a very high power discrete output stage and super-caps to supply huge dynamic currents.

In most circumstances, where a simple attenuation of the 3V line-level signal is required to match a preamplifier, or power amplifier, you must operate the Hugo TT 2 in Low Gain mode and significantly reduce the volume before raising to a comfortable listening level

And my other question would be if this direct mode between the Hugo TT2 and the Boxem Arthur would be more advisable, not using the Freya S.

Any advice is welcome. I really value the opinions of the users of this forum.

 

[NTK]

Welcome to ASR!

You can basically connect your Chord TT, Freya S (which can be left out), and Boxem together in any way you want and they will all work with each other very well.

With the Freya S in between the Chord TT and the Boxem:
The de-facto standard level for balanced (XLR) connections is 4 Vrms. And in your case, there is no good reason not to use all XLR connections. The output level for XLR in DAC mode is 5 Vrms. It is unlikely that the Freya S will have any difficulty in the buffer mode, and almost certainly no difficulty in the passive mode, with a 5 Vrms input.
Note that in Amir's test of the Freya S, it overloaded with input >2 Vrms in the 14 dB gain mode. I assume the measurement was taken with the volume knob set to max. With the volume know turned down, the input saturation level may possibly be higher (or may not).

Direct connection of the Chord TT to the Boxem:
If you don't need the source selector function for a pre-amp, you can also directly connect the TT to the Boxem (again, use XLR connections). The Boxem offers 3 gain levels and IME there are 2 practical options. You can set the Boxem to low (12.3 dB) gain and use your TT in high gain mode. Or you can set the Boxem to medium (20.3 dB) gain with the TT in low gain mode.

The technical performance of the Chord TT, Freya S (in passive and buffer modes, you don't need the 12/14 dB gain mode) and the Boxem are high enough that I seriously doubt there will be any significant difference in the audio output quality whichever way you choose to connect them.

 

[LETRA]

Thank you very much NTK for your welcome and this excellent explanation. You have completely solved my doubt and I really appreciate it. ASR and its wise men are pure gold.

Best regards.

 

[Chuckser]

If you read the CHORD manual they recommend RCA connection.

 

[LETRA]

If you read the CHORD manual they recommend RCA connection.

Thank you. In the end I discarded the Chord, but the RCA connection was unfeasible anyway because of the 10m distance.