Our Take
"Astonishing" is the best word we can use to describe the Hugo 2. Chord Electronics' cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology will leave you hopelessly addicted. Easily a true reference DAC that can be added to any serious high end speaker system, you can also slip the Hugo 2 in your bag and take what may be the ultimate portable DAC/amp experience anywhere you want. An endgame transportable without a doubt; our highest recommendation. Read our full review.

From Chord Electronics

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.

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 real flexibility in full-size and desktop systems.

The device offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth, 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 unit’s crossfeed functions.

Battery playing time is around seven hours and two modes of automatic charging are included using the dedicated Micro USB charging port; an indicator shows charging and battery-charge status.

Materials: Clamshell 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

Play time: In excess of seven (7) hours

Charging: Nominal four (4) hours via Micro USB at 1.8amps (fast charge) – Nominal eight (8) hours at 1amp (slow charge)

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

Coax via 3.5mm Jack (Red): 44.1kHz – 384kHz – 16bit – 32bit

Dual data mode input (using both BNC coax inputs together): 44.1kHz – 768kHz – 16bit – 32bit

Optical (Green): 44.1kHz – 192kHz – 16bit – 24bit

Connectivity (input wireless): Bluetooth (Apt X) (Blue): 44.1kHz – 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, 358.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz.

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

Specs

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 33Ω 1050mW 8Ω
Weight:	450g
Dimensions:	130mm (L) x 100mm (W) x 21mm (H)

In the Box

2 amp USB Charger
1.2m USB to Micro USB Cable
15cm Micro USB Cable to Micro USB OTG Cable
Hugo 2 Owners Overview Manual
IR Remote control