The Chord Electronics Hugo 2 is a transportable DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamplifier that runs circles around desktop units three times its size. Rob Watts' custom-coded FPGA packs a 49,152-tap WTA filter into an aircraft-grade aluminum chassis barely bigger than a smartphone. Seven consecutive What Hi-Fi? Best DAC awards (2017-2023) and the thing still has no real competition at this price. Key Features of the Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Custom Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA with 49,152-tap WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) filter and 10-element Pulse Array DAC, coded entirely by Rob Watts Four digital inputs: Micro USB (PCM up to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512), coaxial via 3.5mm (up to 384kHz), optical (up to 96kHz), and Bluetooth aptX Three analog outputs: 6.35mm and 3.5mm headphone jacks plus stereo RCA for line-level preamp duty 1,050mW into 8 ohms with 0.025-ohm output impedance, enough current to drive full-size headphones and sensitive IEMs alike Four selectable digital filters and three crossfeed modes for headphone listening that mimics speaker staging 7+ hours battery life on dual custom lithium-ion cells with USB charging Full remote control for desktop/system use as a standalone DAC or preamp Available in Black and Silver with machined aluminum casework and signature FPGA viewing window Rob Watts' FPGA: Why It Matters Every other manufacturer at this price buys a DAC chip from ESS or AKM and builds a circuit around it. Chord does something different. Rob Watts writes his own digital-to-analog conversion code from scratch, running it on a Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA. The result is a 49,152-tap WTA filter, roughly 100 times the tap length of a typical off-the-shelf DAC chip. More taps mean better transient timing accuracy. The music sounds faster, more precise, with leading edges that snap into place instead of smearing across the beat. You hear it immediately on well-recorded acoustic guitar or a snare drum hit: the attack is there, fully formed, with none of the softness that chip-based DACs introduce. The 10-Element Pulse Array DAC The Pulse Array is Chord's proprietary DAC architecture. Instead of converting a digital signal through a single resistor ladder or delta-sigma modulator, Hugo 2 uses ten discrete pulse array elements working in parallel. This approach distributes the conversion workload across multiple elements, reducing noise floor distortion and improving linearity at low signal levels. The practical result: quiet passages retain their texture and space instead of collapsing into a flat, lifeless background. Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Connectivity Hugo 2 accepts four digital sources simultaneously: Micro USB handles hi-res files up to 768kHz PCM and native DSD512, making it one of the most format-flexible portable DACs available. The coaxial input (via 3.5mm jack) takes up to 384kHz, with a dual-data mode pushing that to 768kHz when paired with the Hugo M Scaler. Optical handles up to 96kHz for TV and legacy sources, and Bluetooth aptX covers wireless convenience at 48kHz. On the output side, both 6.35mm and 3.5mm headphone jacks deliver up to 1,050mW at 8 ohms, while the stereo RCA pair lets Hugo 2 serve as a line-level preamp feeding a power amplifier or active speakers. Filter and Crossfeed Controls Four color-coded spherical buttons control power, input selection, filter mode, and crossfeed. The four digital filters range from transparent and incisive to warm and smooth, giving you meaningful tonal shaping without software menus. The three-level crossfeed function is based on binaural audio research and simulates the effect of speaker listening through headphones, reducing the in-your-head effect that long headphone sessions can produce. Battery and Portable Use Dual custom Enix Energies lithium-ion cells deliver over seven hours of continuous playback. Charging takes roughly six hours via the dedicated Micro USB port at 1.8A. Hugo 2 works while charging, so desktop users can leave it plugged in permanently. An automatic shutdown function conserves battery when no signal is detected. At 450 grams and just 2.3cm tall, it fits in a jacket pocket or stacks neatly on a desk between source and headphones. Expanding the Hugo 2: 2go and 2yu The Hugo 2 becomes a different product entirely when you add Chord's expansion modules. The 2go attaches directly to Hugo 2 and adds Wi-Fi streaming, Roon Ready compatibility, and a microSD card slot for local playback, turning it into a self-contained network player. The 2yu takes 2go's output and converts it to USB or coaxial, letting you feed Hugo 2's inputs from a wired network connection. Together, they transform a portable DAC into a full streaming system. Upgrade Path Hugo 2 sits at the center of Chord's portable and desktop DAC lineup. For a pure desktop setup with more power and features, the Hugo TT2 takes the same FPGA technology to a larger, mains-powered chassis with balanced outputs and greater headphone drive. Pairing Hugo 2 with the Hugo M Scaler via dual-data mode unlocks million-tap upscaling that approaches the performance of Chord's flagship DAVE. The Listening Room Difference We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale. Chord Electronics Hugo 2 Specifications Specification Detail DAC Technology Custom-coded Xilinx Artix 7 FPGA (XC7A15T), 10-element Pulse Array, 49,152-tap WTA filter Digital Inputs Micro USB (to 768kHz/32-bit, DSD512), Coaxial via 3.5mm (to 384kHz), Optical (to 96kHz), Bluetooth aptX (to 48kHz) Analog Outputs 1x 6.35mm headphone, 1x 3.5mm headphone, Stereo RCA (line-level) Headphone Power 94mW @ 300 ohms / 740mW @ 32 ohms / 1,050mW @ 8 ohms Output Impedance 0.025 ohms Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz (+/- 0.2dB) THD
