Take Chord's FPGA-based conversion between home and portable systems with the Hugo 2. Battery operation, multiple digital inputs and headphone amplification allow one component to serve several listening arrangements.
Key Features
- Custom FPGA conversion – a Xilinx Artix 7 runs Chord's 49,152-tap WTA filter and 10-element pulse array, so timing detail is handled by Chord's own design rather than a generic chip.
- Five digital inputs – USB, two coaxial modes, optical and aptX Bluetooth let you connect a computer, a transport, a TV or a phone.
- High-res and native DSD – PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit over USB and dual-data coaxial, plus DSD64 to DSD512.
- Shape the sound – four digital filters and three crossfeed levels let you fine-tune tonal balance and stereo presentation for headphone listening.
- Strong, quiet output – a Class A output stage with 0.025Ω output impedance delivers 740mW into 32Ω and drives headphones up to 800Ω.
- Doubles as a line-level DAC – a fixed 3V line mode and RCA outputs let it feed an amplifier or powered speakers.
Good to Know
Expect around six hours of playback per charge, depending on your headphones. It works driverless on macOS and Linux, while Windows needs a driver from Chord. Volume moves in 1dB steps and the last level is remembered, except in line-level mode.
Technical Specifications
- DAC: Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA, 49,152-tap filter
- PCM: 44.1kHz to 768kHz, 16 to 32-bit
- DSD: DSD64 to DSD512 (native)
- Inputs: Micro USB, 2x coaxial (3.5mm), optical, Bluetooth aptX
- Outputs: 6.35mm and 3.5mm headphone, stereo RCA line
- Output power: 740mW into 32Ω, 94mW into 300Ω (1kHz, 1% THD)
- SNR: 126dB (A-weighted)
- THD: under 0.0001% (1kHz, 3V RMS, 300Ω)
- Battery: approx. 6 hours
- Dimensions / weight: 2.1 x 10 x 13 cm (H x W x D), 365g
What’s Included
- Hugo 2
- IR remote control with 2x AAA batteries
- 5V 2A Micro USB power supply
- Micro USB to USB Type-A cable
- Micro USB to Micro USB OTG cable
- Optical cable and optical to 3.5mm adapter
- Drawstring bag
- User manual and safety instructions
Shipping & Returns
Free UK Delivery – We ship exclusively within the United Kingdom. Orders are processed within 1 business day, with estimated delivery in 5–8 business days after dispatch.
30-Day Returns – Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery, subject to our Return & Refund Policy.
Customer Support – Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM (UK local time). Business days exclude weekends and UK bank holidays.