HUGO 2

Transportable DAC/Headphone Amplifier

Hugo 2 is a powerful DAC and headphone amp that builds on the ground-breaking original. Designed for both home and mobile use, Hugo 2 transforms headphones and audio systems sound quality with its cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology.

DESCRIPTION

In 2014, we introduced Hugo, a revolutionary portable DAC and headphone amp that became a landmark product in the audio landscape. Advances in digital technology, including the latest FPGAs and WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters, have enabled us to introduce a next-generation version, Hugo 2, featuring flexible new features, plus next-generation technical and sonic performance.

Winner of Best DAC (1,500+) in the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022,and a What Hi-Fi? Best DAC winner every year its inception (2017-2022), Hugo 2 is a proven class leader.

Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on the go, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line-level output and full-function remote control add real flexibility to full-size and desktop systems.

The device offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth wireless technology, with high-resolution file playback up to 768kHz and up to DSD512 (Octa DSD), via its HD USB input. Analogue outputs include 2x RCA, plus 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs.

A four-function switch filter offers a useful degree of user-selectable frequency-shaping, bringing warm and soft or transparent and incisive presentations, giving additional flexibility and user control. For headphone listening, Hugo 2 retains the popular digital crossfeed function of the original and offers three operation modes. The system duplicates the effect of listening to speakers and is based on advanced binaural audio research.

Hugo 2 features four spherical control buttons, which illuminate with colour-coding information and control power, input, filtering, plus the units crossfeed functions.

Battery playing time is around 6 hours + (depending on headphones) and two modes of automatic charging are included using the dedicated Micro USB charging port; an indicator shows charging and battery-charge status.

HUGO 2 SPECIFICATIONS:

Materials:Precision-machined aluminium casing with polycarbonate buttons, acrylic signal window, and glass viewing portal. Available in a choice of two colours natural silver, and satin black

Battery:2x Rechargeable custom Enix Energies 3.7v 9.6Wh Li-ion (lithium-ion (2600mAh) batteries*

Tap length filter:49,152 10 element Pulse Array design

Playtime:6 hours (Avg.time)

Charging:Nominal six (6) hours via Micro USB at 1.8amps (fast charge) Nominal eight (8) hours at 1amp (slow charge)

Connectivity (input):Micro USB (White): 44.1kHz to 768kHz 16bit to 32bit

Coax via 3.5mm jack (Red): 44.1kHz to 384kHz 16bit to 32bit

Coax via (same) 3.5mm jack (Dual data mode: Yellow): 44.1kHz to 768kHz 16bit to 32bit

Optical (Green): 44.1kHz to 96kHz 16bit to 24bit

Connectivity (input wireless):Bluetooth(APTX) (Blue): 44.1kHz to 48kHz 16bit

Connectivity (output):1x jack headphone output

1x 3.5mm jack headphone output

1x stereo (L & R) RCA output

PCM support:44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz, 176.4kHz, 192kHz, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz. 16 32bit

DSD support:Native playback supported. DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa-DSD)

Volume control:Digital, activated in 1dB increments. Last known state saved upon shutdown, with exception of line-level mode

Line-level mode:Activated via dual press of middle Source and Crossfeed buttons. Line level = 3v via all outputs. Reset by power cycle

Power saving mode:Auto-shutdown after ten minutes of input inactivity

Driver support:Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS

User Configurable Options:

Filters (Digital):

Incisive neutral (Ultimate reference) (White)

Incisive neutral HF roll-off (High Frequency roll off) (Green)

Warm (Smooth) (Orange)

WarmerHF roll-off(High Frequency roll off) (Red)

Crossfeed (Digital IIR):

Off No Crossfeed

Level 1 Light

Level 2 Medium

Level 3 Heavy

Control options:

Manual

Remote control (included)

KEY FEATURES

Chord Custom FPGA DAC
49,152 Taps
6 hours + Battery Life
768kHz Micro USB Input
384kHz Coax Jack Input
768kHz Dual Data Mode Jack Input
96kHz Optical Input
Bluetooth wireless technology
1x Headphone Output
1x 3.5mm Headphone Output
Unbalanced RCA Outputs
Supports up to 768kHz
DSD512 (8x) Native
Native DSD Support
4x Playback Filters
3x Crossfeed Function
Supports up to 800
IR Remote Control Included
CNC Aluminium Chassis
Roon tested

REVIEW & AWARDS

Chord Hugo 2 review

“Theres nothing overly analytical about the way Hugo 2 passes on this information, but youre left in no doubt that every available detail, no matter how minor, has been incorporated and laid bare for your ears.” –What Hi-Fi?

Top of the pops: Chord Electronics outstanding Hugo 2

“On sound qualityandutility judging it as a complete package Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is the finest DAC Ive seen/heard/used to date.” –John

Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC headphone amplifier

“Better in every way, there is nothing to dislike about the Chord Hugo 2 except its price at 1,800 its 400 more costly than the original. In fairness, its at least this much better, but it still puts it out of reach of many peoples range. If youre fortunate enough to be able to consider one, then its an essential audition; not just as a portable DAC/headphone amp, but as the best hi-fi digital converter at or near the price.” –Hi-Fi Choice

Chord Hugo2 Is A DAC Without Compromise With Superb Sound… But Be Prepared To Dig Deep

“The Chord Hugo2 is an unusual device in terms of its design. I cant say Im mad about all those colored lights but thankfully there is a setting that reduces the brightness a little, although Id preferred to have seen an off button for dark-room listening. However, once you listen to the Hugo2 you will understand that this device does beautiful things to digital music and makes the best of every signal thrown at it. Theres nothing it cant handle and you can even take it out for a walk thanks to that rechargeable battery. If you want a DAC or headphone amplifier that can work with anything, anywhere and with any file, and you have plenty of cash to spare, then the Chord Hugo2 is a superb choice that creates sublime music from ones and zeros.” – Mark Sparrow

Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Review

“Replacing a product that was still pretty much state-of-the-art has to be seen as a bit of a risk. Chord Electronics had managed to create a product that had and I shudder a bit using this term created something of a zeitgeist and alterations risked harming that. If the arrival of the Hugo 2 means some discounts are to be had on the original, you will still be buying a superb product.

It has however been superseded by an even better one. The Hugo 2 does everything that the original Hugo does with improvements in every department. This is a truly outstanding piece of digital equipment one that offers performance that is utterly unfazed by whatever you choose to play on it. It isnt cheap but you could simply attach a pair of active speakers to it and have a superbly capable- and extremely compact system. It isnt perfect and whilst its a great deal more user friendly than the original, it isnt without quirks. Viewed as a whole though, the Hugo 2 is a deeply impressive product that represents the new benchmark for digital under 2,000 and is an indisputable best buy.” – Ed Selley

Chord Hugo 2

“With so many models on offer in its range, working out which Chord Electronics product is best for your needs might seem a little tricky. The Hugo 2 is a pretty simple answer to the question, performing as well as a portable headphone amp as it does as a main-system DAC. The redesign has added extra facilities to improve the listening experience, making it both a technological achievement and a sonic one.” – Andrew Everard

Chord Electronics Hugo2 transportable headphone amp/DAC

“The Hugo2’s quiet and natural-sounding presentation complements most types of music.” – Chris Martens

The Right Chord

“Hugo 2 is a wonderfully hewn product that looks great, feels great and delivers a vivacious sound, succinct and full of detail. It comes over as fast-paced and tightly timed. With a wide range of inputs and an ability to cope with them all superbly it is one of the best DACs at its price point.” –Hi-Fi World

Chord Hugo 2 Review New dimensions for portable audio, Simply sublime

• New level of reference sound signature for portable audio. Very natural sound presentation.
• Solid build quality with ports for future add on modules. Classic Chord futuristic design.
• Supports many inputs and a variety of outputs. –Earphonia

Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC/Headphone Amplifier Digital Playback at the Cutting Edge

“This is a beautifully constructed and pleasingly attractive design with an exceptional features set. Hugo 2 is engineered by true innovators at the cutting edge of digital design. It offers high-resolution playback with custom filters switchable on the fly, a top-level headphone amplifier stage, on-board aptX Bluetooth for wireless streaming, generous connectivity options and exceptional performance via the latest bespoke digital strategies.” – Edgar Kramer

Technical specifications:

Chipset:Chord Electronics custom coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA

Tap-length:49,152

Pulse array:10 element pulse array design

Frequency response:20Hz 20kHz +/- 0.2dB

Output stage:Class A

Output impedance:0.025

THD:<0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300

THD and noise at 3v RMS:120dB at 1kHz 300ohms A wighted (reference 5.3v)

Noise 2.6 uV A weighted:No measurable noise floor modulation

Signal to noise ratio:126dB A Weighted

Channel separation:135dB at 1kHz 300

Power output @ 1kHz 1% THD:94mW 300

740mW 32

1050mW 8

Weight:365g

Dimensions:2.1cm (H) 10cm (W) 13cm (D)

Boxed Dimensions:8.5cm (H) 12.2cm (W) 22cm (D)