Chord Electronics Hugo 2 | Transportable DAC and Amp

Transform Your Headphone and Audio System's Sound Quality with the Hugo 2 from Chord Electronics
- Machined aluminum casing with polycarbonate buttons, acrylic signal window, and glass viewing portal
- Available in a choice of natural silver or satin black
- (x2) Rechargeable custom 3.7v 9.6Wh Li-ion batteries with 6 hour playtime
- PCM and DSD native playback support, DSD64 to DSD512
- Bluetooth® APTX: 44.1kHz to 48kHz, 16bit

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Bloom's Take "Astonishing" is the best word we can use to describe the Hugo 2. Chord's cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology will leave you hopelessly addicted. The Hugo 2 a substantial upgrade over the original with improved materials, additional connectivity options, and more filter taps, and it provides a beautiful, clear, musical output while subtly enhancing the soundstage of whatever you plug into it. And to expand your listening capabilities, the Chord 2go can do that for you as an add-on for streaming flexibility. Easily a true reference DAC that can be added to any serious high-end speaker system, the Hugo 2 can also be slipped into your bag for the ultimate on-the-go DAC/amp experience wherever you're headed. An endgame transportable without a doubt, the Hugo 2 comes with our highest recommendation. |
From Chord Electronics
In 2014, Chord 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 Chord to introduce a next-generation version, Hugo 2, with flexible new features and next-generation technical and sonic performance.
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 adds true flexibility for full-size and desktop systems.

The Bells and Whistles
The device offers 4 digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth, with high-resolution file playback up to 768kHz and up to DSD512 via USB input. Analog outputs include (x2) RCA, and both 3.5mm and 6.3mm headphone outputs.
A 4-function switch filter offers user-selectable frequency-shaping, bringing warm and soft or transparent and incisive presentations for additional flexibility and user control. For headphone-listening, Hugo 2 retains the popular digital cross feed function of the original and offers 3 operation modes.
Hugo 2 features 4 spherical control buttons which illuminate with color-coding information that controls power, input, filtering, and cross feed functions.
Power Management
The Hugo 2 uses (x2) rechargeable custom Enix Energies 3.7v 9.6Wh (2600mAh) Li-ion batteries with play time around 7 hours. Two modes of automatic charging are available using the dedicated Micro-USB charge port with an indicator showing battery-charge status.
Full charge time is a nominal 4 hours via Micro-USB at 1.8A (fast charge), and a nominal 8 hours at 1A (slow charge.)

Features
- PCM Support: 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 88.2kHz / 96kHz / 176.4kHz / 192kHz / 358.8kHz / 384kHz / 717.6kHz / 768kHz
- DSD Support: Native playback, DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa)
- Volume Control: Digital, 1dB increments | Last known state saved on shutdown (exception: line-level mode)
- Line-level Mode: Activated via dual-press of ‘Source’ and ‘Crossfeed’ buttons | Line level is 3v via all outputs | Reset by power cycle
- Power-saving Mode: Auto-shutdown after 10 minutes of input inactivity
- Driver Support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, required for Windows

| Device Features | |
|---|---|
DAC |
Yes |
Headphone Amp |
Yes |
Digital Audio Inputs |
Micro USB (White): 44.1kHz to 768kHz | 16 to 32bit
Coax, 3.5mm (Red): 44.1kHz to 384kHz | 16 to 32bit Coax, Dual Data Mode (Yellow, using both BNC coax jacks together): 44.1kHz to 768kHz | 16 to 32bit Optical (Green): 44.1kHz to 192kHz | 16 to 24bit Input, Wireless: Bluetooth (Apt X) (Blue): 44.1kHz to 48kHz | 16bit |
Analog Audio Outputs |
6.3mm ¼” headphone
3.5mm headphone Stereo (L/R) RCA |
SNR/THD |
THD: 0.0001% 1kHz 3v RMS 300Ω
THD + noise at 3v RMS: 120dB at 1kHz 300Ω ‘A’ weighted (reference 5.3v) Noise 2.6 uV ‘A’ weighted: No measurable noise floor modulation SNR: 126dB ‘A’ weighted Channel Separation: 135dB at 1kHz 300Ω |
| Amplifier | |
Output Power |
94mW 300Ω | 740mW 33Ω | 1050mW 8Ω
|
| DAC | |
DAC Chipset |
Chord custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA with 49,152 Taps
|
| Streamer | |
Supported Formats |
PCM Support: 44.1kHz / 48kHz / 88.2kHz / 96kHz / 176.4kHz / 192kHz / 358.8kHz / 384kHz / 717.6kHz / 768kHz
DSD Support: Native playback, DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa) |
| In the Box | |
Inlcuded |
2A USB Charger
1.2m Micro-USB cable 15cm Micro USB Cable to Micro USB OTG Cable Hugo 2 Owner Manual IR Remote |