Chord Hugo 2
Chord Hugo 2
Developed by Rob Watts as the ultimate "portable" headphone amplifier, it is of a quality that can easily compete with most stationary units: Hugo 2.
In 2014, Chord launched Hugo, a revolutionary portable DAC and headphone amplifier that became a milestone in the audio world. Advances in digital technology, including the latest FPGAs and WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters, have enabled the introduction of a next generation version, Hugo 2, which offers flexible new features and next generation technical and sonic performance.
Winner of the Best DAC (£1,500+) at the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022, and a What Hi-Fi? Best DAC winner every year since release (2017-2022), Hugo 2 is a proven class leader.
Hugo 2 can be used both at home and on the move, either with headphones or within a conventional audio system. Its line level output and fully functional remote control give real flexibility to full-size and desktop systems.
The unit offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus advanced Bluetooth® wireless technology with high-resolution file playback up to 768 kHz and up to DSD512 (Octa DSD) via its HD USB input. Analog outputs include 2 x RCA as well as 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs.
A four-band switch filter provides a substantial amount of EQ, bringing warm and smooth or transparent and concise presentations and offering additional flexibility and user control. For headphone listening, Hugo 2 offers three operating modes for digital crossfeed.
The four spherical control buttons provide information on power, input, filtering and the device's crossfeed functions via the colors.
The battery life is approx. 6 hours + (depending on headphones) and two automatic charging modes are included via the dedicated micro USB charging port; an indicator shows the charging and battery status.
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- 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: 0.025Ω
- THD: <0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω
- 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 300Ω
- Power output @ 1kHz 1% THD: 94mW 300Ω
- 740mW @ 32Ω
- 1050mW @ 8Ω
- Weight: 365g
- Dimensions: 2.1cm (H) 10cm (W) 13cm (D)
- Boxed Dimensions: 8.5cm (H) 12.2cm (W) 22cm (D)
- 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 ¼” 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
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Developed by Rob Watts as the ultimate "portable" headphone amplifier, it is of a quality that can easily compete with most stationary units: Hugo 2.