In 2014, Chord Electronics 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 them to introduce a next-generation version, Hugo 2 – Portable DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier, featuring flexible new features, plus next-generation technical and sonic performance.

The Hugo 2 – Portable DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier 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 add 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. Analog 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 cross-feed 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 – Portable DAC/Preamp/Headphone Amplifier features four spherical control buttons, which illuminate with color-coding information and control power, input, filtering, plus the unit’s cross-feed 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 aluminum casing with polycarbonate buttons, acrylic signal window, and glass viewing portal. Available in a choice of two colors – 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: 8 hrs (Avg.time)
- Charging: Nominal six (6) hours via Micro USB at 1.8amps (fast charge) – Nominal eight (8) hours at 1amp (slow charge)
- Connectivity (input): Micro USB (White): 44.1kHz to 768kHz – 16bit to 32bit
Coax via 3.5mm jack (Red): 44.1kHz to 384kHz – 16bit to 32bit
Coax via (same) 3.5mm jack (Dual data mode: Yellow): 44.1kHz to 768kHz – 16bit to 32bit
Optical (Green): 44.1kHz to 96kHz – 16bit to 24bit
- Connectivity (input wireless): Bluetooth (Apt X) (Blue): 44.1kHz to 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, 352.8kHz, 384kHz, 717.6kHz, and 768kHz. 16 – 32bit
- 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
- Driver support: Driverless with Mac OS X and Linux, driver required for Windows OS

Filters (Digital):
- Incisive neutral (Ultimate reference) (White)
- Incisive neutral HF roll-off (High Frequency roll off) (Green)
- Warm (‘Smooth’) (Orange)
- Warmer HF roll-off (High Frequency roll off) (Red)

Crossfeed (Digital IIR):
- Off – No Crossfeed
- Level 1 – Light
- Level 2 – Medium
- Level 3 – Heavy

Control options:
- Manual
- Remote control (included)

Key Features:
- Chord Custom FPGA DAC
- 49,152 Taps
- 7 hour Battery Life
- 768kHz Micro USB Input
- 384kHz Coax Jack Input
- 768kHz Dual Data Mode Jack Input
- 96kHz Optical Input
- Bluetooth Apt X Input
- 1x ¼” Headphone Output
- 1x 3.5mm Headphone Output
- Unbalanced RCA Outputs
- Supports up to 768kHz
- DSD512 (8x) Native
- Native DSD Support
- 4x Playback Filters
- 3x Crossfeed Function
- Supports up to 800Ω
- IR Remote Control Included
- CNC Aluminium Chassis

- 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 32Ω, 1050mW 8Ω
- Weight: 390g
- Dimensions: 2.1cm (H) 10cm (W) 13cm (D)
- Boxed Dimensions: 8.5cm (H) 12.2cm (W) 22cm (D)

- Hugo 2 user manual
- Safety instructions
- Drawstring bag
- 5V 2A Switching Micro USB power supply
- IR remote control
- Micro USB to Type-A USB cable
- Micro to Micro USB OTG cable
- Optical cable
- Optical to 3.5mm optical cable
- 2x AAA batteries

Orders ship Sunday through Friday from our offices in Dubai, UAE.

In-stock products typically ship within 48 hours and should be expected to arrive in 3-4 business days. Orders outside of the UAE should be expected to arrive in 5-7 business days.

Pre-order and backorder products will state the approximate delivery timeline beside the Add To Cart button.

If you would like to place a custom order, chat with our specialists for a guided shopping experience. Once your order has been placed, a timeline will be provided depending on your order details.

- Free delivery within the UAE
- Shipping charges will be calculated upon checkout for orders outside of the UAE (Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia & Qatar).
- Taxes and duties are calculated according to the applicable laws of the state or country an item is shipped to and are the customer's responsibility.

For additional information on shipping and our exchange & return policy visit our help center.

Installation charges are applicable and can be paid upon delivery for our clients based in Dubai.

- Installation Charges: AED 450 Per Hour
- Speaker Cables: AED 32 Per Meter
- Trunking: AED 10 Per Meter

For clients based outside of the UAE, please contact our specialists and we will share an estimate based on your requirements.