"Unbeatable for Pure Sound"
Hugo 2 is a powerful DAC and headphone amp that builds on the ground-breaking original Hugo. Designed for both home and mobile use, Hugo 2 transforms headphones and audio systems’ sound quality with its cutting-edge proprietary DAC technology.
In 2014, Chord introduced the original Hugo, a revolutionary portable DAC and headphone amp that hugely popular. 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, featuring flexible new features, plus next-generation technical and sonic performance.
"Not an inconsiderable sum for a DAC, but Hugo 2 proves well worth it," reports What Hi-fi? magazine, June 26, 2017. "There isn’t another DAC around at anywhere near this sort of price able to communicate so torrentially, so unambiguously or so effortlessly. We like it a lot."
"I honestly can’t think of a single transportable DAC device out on the market today that can beat the Hugo 2 for pure sound," notes reviewer marcus in his September 24, 2017 post for headfonics.com.
At Home or On-the-Go
Hugo 2 can be enjoyed 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.
Hugo 2 offers four digital inputs (optical, coaxial, and HD USB) plus extended-range Bluetooth, 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, plus 3.5mm and 1/4" headphone outputs.
Sound Shaping
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.
The three crossfeed modes enhance the listening experience to give a more spatial 'out of the head' stereo sound field. Using advanced filtering and delay, the normal headphone stereo image is converted to give the effect of a much bigger sound stage as though you are listening to large loudspeakers or live music. The modes are indicated by the crossfeed staus indicator light. Choose to light, medium, or heavy filtering, or off.
The advanced digital volume control is activated in precise 1dB increments. The last known state is saved upon shutdown, with the exception of the line-level mode.
Controls and Battery Life
Hugo 2 features four spherical control buttons, which illuminate with color-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.
File Support
Hugo 2 supports a wide range of digital file formats, including PCM files of 44.1k Hz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz, 358.8 kHz, 384 kHz, 717.6 kHz, and 768 kHz. The DSD support includes native playback and DSD64 (Single) to DSD512 (Octa-DSD).
