Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Transportable DAC and Headphone Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Hugo 2 is a transportable DAC and headphone amplifier from Chord Electronics (Maidstone, Kent, United Kingdom), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Designed by Rob Watts and built around a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA running a 49,152-tap Watts Transient Aligned (WTA) filter, the Hugo 2 achieves a signal-to-noise ratio of 126 dB A-weighted, a THD of less than 0.0001% at 1kHz into 300 ohms, and channel separation of 135 dB at 1kHz. Winner of the What Hi-Fi? Best DAC Award every year from 2017 to 2022, six consecutive years, the Hugo 2 remains one of the most decorated DACs in the history of the publication and continues to set the class standard for transportable high-resolution digital audio.

FPGA Technology: 49,152-Tap WTA Filter and Class A Output Stage

The Hugo 2 is built around a Chord Electronics custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 (XC7A15T) FPGA, programmed by Rob Watts with a 49,152-tap Watts Transient Aligned reconstruction filter — more than 190 times the tap count of the 256-tap filters deployed in conventional chip-based DACs. The WTA filter reconstructs the original analogue waveform with a precision that no standard DAC chip can approach, correcting the timing errors inherent in lower-resolution reconstruction and preserving the leading-edge transient accuracy and micro-dynamic detail that define natural musical reproduction. The output stage operates in Class A, providing the linearity and low crossover distortion associated with Class A amplification in both the line-level and headphone output stages. Output impedance is just 0.025 ohms, ensuring the Hugo 2 can drive any headphone load or line-level input without interaction between the source impedance and the load. A 10-element pulse array design in the noise shaper achieves 2.6 microvolts A-weighted noise with no measurable noise floor modulation.

Portable and Desktop Flexibility: Inputs, Outputs, Battery, and Filter Control

The Hugo 2 is designed for use both at home and on the move. Its four digital inputs comprise an HD USB input supporting PCM up to 768kHz and native DSD512, an optical TosLink input, a coaxial input, and extended-range Bluetooth for wireless streaming from mobile devices. Analogue outputs include two RCA line-level outputs for connection to a preamplifier or integrated amplifier, and both 3.5mm and 6.35mm headphone outputs on the front panel. The internal lithium battery provides approximately six hours of playback and charges via a dedicated Micro USB port with two selectable automatic charging modes; a colour-coded indicator displays both charging status and remaining battery charge. Four user-selectable digital filter settings, controlled via the front-panel spherical input button, allow the listener to adjust the high-frequency character from warm and smooth to transparent and incisive, with each filter state indicated by a distinct LED colour. Three stages of digital crossfeed, based on binaural audio research, replicate the natural spatial cues of loudspeaker listening through headphones, reducing listening fatigue and improving perceived soundstage depth. The Hugo 2's four spherical polychromatic control buttons handle power, input selection, filter choice, and crossfeed from the top panel, with colour coding providing immediate visual feedback of each function's current state.

Key Features

• 49,152-Tap WTA FPGA Filter: Chord Electronics' proprietary Watts Transient Aligned reconstruction filter, running on a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA, delivers 192 times the filter resolution of a typical chip-based DAC for superior timing accuracy and transient reproduction.
• 126 dB A-Weighted SNR and Less Than 0.0001% THD: Reference-class measured performance in a transportable chassis, with 2.6 microvolts A-weighted noise and no measurable noise floor modulation.
• 768kHz PCM and Native DSD512 via USB: The HD USB input supports the full spectrum of high-resolution formats from standard 44.1kHz CD-quality audio through to 768kHz 32-bit PCM and native DSD512 (Octa DSD).
• Class A Output Stage: Both the line-level and headphone output stages operate in Class A for maximum linearity and the lowest possible crossover distortion.
• 0.025-Ohm Output Impedance: An exceptionally low output impedance ensures consistent performance across all headphone impedances and eliminates frequency response interaction with the load.
• Headphone Power Output: Delivers 94mW at 1% THD into 300 ohms, 740mW into 32 ohms, and 1,050mW into 8 ohms, providing ample drive for both sensitive in-ear monitors and demanding full-size headphones.
• Dual RCA Line-Level Outputs: Two RCA outputs at line level enable direct connection to a preamplifier, integrated amplifier, or powered monitors for use as a desktop DAC within a full audio system.
• Four User-Selectable Digital Filters: Filter voicing choices range from warm and smooth to transparent and incisive, controllable from the top panel and colour-indicated via the input button LED.
• Three-Stage Digital Crossfeed: Binaural research-based crossfeed processing replicates a natural speaker-like stereo presentation through headphones in three selectable levels of intensity.
• Extended-Range Bluetooth: Wireless streaming from Bluetooth-enabled mobile devices and computers for cable-free listening when portability is a priority.
• Internal Lithium Battery with Six-Hour Playtime: Approximately six hours of battery life with automatic charging via Micro USB and two selectable charging modes with status indicator.
• Polychromatic Spherical Control Interface: Four colour-coded spherical buttons on the top panel control all functions with LED colour states providing at-a-glance visual feedback.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 1 x HD USB input (up to 768kHz PCM / native DSD512)
• 1 x Optical TosLink input
• 1 x Coaxial input
• Bluetooth (extended-range, wireless streaming)
• 2 x RCA line-level outputs
• 1 x 3.5mm headphone output
• 1 x 6.35mm (1/4") headphone output
• 1 x Micro USB charging port

Awards and Critical Recognition

• What Hi-Fi? Best DAC Award (£1,500+), six consecutive years, 2017 to 2022 - "The Chord Hugo 2 remains impossible to beat"
• What Hi-Fi? Best DACs Guide 2024 - Hugo 2 retained as class leader, unthroned by all tested competitors
• Best Ever Award, Hi-Fi and Music Source (UK)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Chord Electronics Hugo 2?

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is a transportable DAC and headphone amplifier from Chord Electronics, built around a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA running Rob Watts' 49,152-tap Watts Transient Aligned filter in a Class A output stage. It achieves 126 dB A-weighted SNR, less than 0.0001% THD at 1kHz into 300 ohms, and supports PCM up to 768kHz and native DSD512 via its USB input. It operates both from battery for portable use and from mains power for desktop operation, connects to audio systems via dual RCA outputs, and drives headphones from both 3.5mm and 6.35mm front-panel outputs. It won the What Hi-Fi? Best DAC Award every year from 2017 to 2022.

How does the Chord Hugo 2 compare to the Chord Hugo TT 2 or Astell and Kern AK DAC?

The Chord Hugo TT 2 is the table top successor to the Hugo 2 within the Chord Electronics range, using a more powerful Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA with 98,304 filter taps versus the Hugo 2's 49,152, a six-super-capacitor power supply instead of a lithium battery, and a higher-power balanced headphone output stage. The Hugo TT 2 achieves a marginally higher dynamic range of 127 dB versus 126 dB for the Hugo 2. The Hugo 2, however, is the only portable option in the pair, offering battery-powered operation and a significantly smaller and lighter chassis. Against the Astell and Kern AK DAC, the Hugo 2 uses a fundamentally different and more sophisticated FPGA-based conversion architecture with a far higher filter tap count rather than an off-the-shelf chip implementation, a distinction that What Hi-Fi? recognised for six consecutive years.

Can the Chord Hugo 2 be used as a desktop DAC within a home audio system?

Yes, the Chord Hugo 2 functions as a full desktop DAC within a home audio system. Its two RCA line-level outputs connect directly to any preamplifier or integrated amplifier, and its digital volume control allows it to be used as a lossless digital preamplifier driving a power amplifier without a separate analogue preamp. The Hugo 2 is compatible with the Chord Poly wireless streamer and Chord 2go module for expanded source options, and pairs naturally with the Chord Suzi stereo power amplifier to create a complete Hugo 2-centred system.

What is the Watts Transient Aligned (WTA) filter in the Chord Hugo 2?

The Watts Transient Aligned filter is a proprietary digital reconstruction filter developed by Rob Watts and implemented exclusively through Chord Electronics' custom FPGA programming. Unlike standard brick-wall or minimum-phase filters used in conventional DAC chips, the WTA filter runs at 49,152 taps in the Hugo 2, correcting the timing errors and transient inaccuracies inherent in lower-resolution reconstruction algorithms. This high tap count allows the Hugo 2 to recover timing relationships between audio events with a precision that no standard DAC chip filter can replicate, producing more accurate leading-edge transients, a lower noise floor, and a more natural rendering of spatial information within a recording.

What headphones pair well with the Chord Hugo 2?

The Chord Hugo 2's Class A output stage delivers 94mW into 300 ohms, 740mW into 32 ohms, and 1,050mW into 8 ohms at 1% THD, with an output impedance of just 0.025 ohms, making it compatible with virtually every headphone type from sensitive in-ear monitors to high-impedance full-size designs. It pairs naturally with high-impedance headphones from Sennheiser (HD 800 S, HD 660S2), Beyerdynamic (T1, DT 1990 Pro), and Audeze (LCD-4, LCD-5), as well as planar magnetic designs from HiFiMan and ZMF. Three stages of digital crossfeed are also available for listeners who prefer a more speaker-like soundstage through headphones.

Does the Chord Hugo 2 support Bluetooth and wireless streaming?

Yes, the Chord Hugo 2 includes extended-range Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming from smartphones, tablets, and computers. For audiophiles who want to add full wireless network streaming functionality, the Hugo 2 is compatible with the Chord Electronics Poly wireless music player, which mounts directly to the Hugo 2 to create a self-contained wireless streaming and DAC system supporting Wi-Fi, Roon, AirPlay, DLNA, and local MicroSD card playback without a separate streaming device.

Where can I buy the Chord Electronics Hugo 2 in Toronto or Canada?

The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 transportable DAC and headphone amplifier is available at Vinyl Sound, an authorised Chord Electronics dealer located in Toronto, Canada. Vinyl Sound carries the full Chord Electronics portable and desktop range including the Hugo 2, Chord Poly, Hugo TT 2, and M Scaler, and can demonstrate the Hugo 2 within complete system configurations in-store. Canadian customers across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond are welcome to contact or visit Vinyl Sound Toronto for expert advice and a listening demonstration.