Yes, there is no need to deal with AngularJS 1.x. Angular 2 is rewritten from the ground and it's not just an upgrade but a totally different framework. Many features have been deprecated and even more were introduced. For sure an experienced AngularJS 1.x developer might make the switch quite easily but you don't have to worry about this. There is a learning curve but this is sth normal since you want to master such a super-useful tool.
For me the key points you have to feel somewhat confident before digging into Angular 2 are:
Keep in mind, Angular 2 is in RC so it is a step behind stable release but not there yet. Surely you can start playing with it since there are tons of educational material out there and a solid community to support your efforts.