Hugo 2

$3,800

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is a state-of-the-art portable DAC and headphone amplifier, offering exceptional audio performance with cutting-edge FPGA technology. Featuring a sleek design with intuitive controls, four digital inputs, and improved battery life, the Hugo 2 is perfect for both desktop and home audio systems. Experience next-generation sound quality with this redesigned classic from Chord Electronics.

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A powerful digital to analog converter (DAC) and headphone amp that builds on the ground-breaking Hugo original.

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is a remarkable evolution of the iconic portable DAC and headphone amplifier, setting new standards in audio performance and design. Known for its exemplary engineering and innovative aesthetics, Chord Electronics has once again delivered a product that combines cutting-edge technology with user-friendly functionality.

The Hugo 2 features a refined, lower-profile design with four top-mounted spherical control buttons, allowing for seamless operation and future expandability. The larger, intuitive volume control sphere enhances the user experience, making it ideal for both portable and home audio setups. Whether used in a desktop system or integrated into a traditional home audio environment, the Hugo 2’s stylish design and enhanced functionality make it a versatile addition to any setup.

Under the hood, the Hugo 2 boasts the latest Chord Electronics FPGA technology, delivering significant improvements in timing accuracy, dynamic range, and noise reduction. The advanced WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filters further enhance its performance, offering a more precise and immersive listening experience. With four digital inputs—including optical, coaxial, and HD USB—along with extended-range Bluetooth and hi-res file playback up to 768 kHz, the Hugo 2 is equipped to handle a wide variety of audio sources with ease.

Battery life has also been improved, providing up to seven hours of continuous playback. The Hugo 2 offers two automatic charging modes—fast (1.8 amperes) and slow (less than one ampere)—via a dedicated Micro USB charging port, with an indicator to show battery charge status.

Incorporating the latest in audio technology and design, the Hugo 2 represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor while retaining the qualities that made the original a legend. Whether you’re a dedicated audiophile or simply someone who appreciates high-quality sound, the Hugo 2 offers a listening experience that is truly unparalleled. Visit Len Wallis Audio to discover the Hugo 2 and elevate your audio experience.

Key Features of the Device Details
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 49,195 – 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 – 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

Functionality
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.

Technical Specifications Details
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’ weighted (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)
Boxed Dimensions 220mm (L) x 122mm (W) x 85mm (H)

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