Chord - Hugo 2

I have been looking for a dedicated DAC for my stereo setup (KEF Q900 floor-standing speakers, Naim NAIT 5Si stereo amplifier, Yamaha RN-602 Network receiver) to replace the mediocre build-in DAC on my network receiver. I initially auditioned some DACs to check how much improvement a dedicated DAC could make and needless to say, it was significant.

After a lot of research, I went with Chord Hugo2 (H2). I read that even with its small and portable form factor, H2 is highly capable of taking the role of a dedicated DAC in a proper home hifi stereo set-up. A shout-out to Headphonezone for delivering my DAC within 2 days of ordering !

There were a lot of questions in my mind initially - if H2 could drive an amplifier but Chord made sure that it does. H2 has a line-out mode that can be set by tapping the "XPHD" button during start-up. What it basically does is, it sets the output level to 3V RMS (indicated by appropriate color coding), which is more than enough to drive an amplifier. Another reason for choosing the H2 is its connectivity options. H2 has build-in Bluetooth with AptX support so I could quickly connect my phone to it if required. Another question was about the power supply. H2 is battery powered with USB charging. This seems unconventional if used as a tabletop DAC. But H2 has an intelligent power management feature that automatically detects that it is in the Desktop Mode after 24 hours of charging. In this mode, it is, I quote - "neither in charging or discharging state". But I could not leave it ON all the time, so I switch it ON whenever I use it. The remote control is very handy. Its inclusion shows that Chord was serious about users like me who want to use it as a tabletop DAC.

Now about the SQ - I will try to explain as much as I can about the my experience but since I am a newbie to Hifi, I won't be able to get into the intricacies.

First thing I noticed as soon as I hooked up the H2 is the amazing details it could pick up. I tri...

Chord Hugo 2 is a gem in the audio world. The sound quality of CH2 is so pure, accurate and detail rich that it gets you real close to a live recording. Each note is refined and nuanced. The frequency response is even and balanced with great extension on both ends. As far as I can tell, it drives the notoriously fussy HD800S flawlessly in all its glory; the combo is an out of the world experience.

I had Chord mojo earlier. The improvement that it made to my hi-fi system is top-notch. I had fiio x5, ibasso dx90, denon da 300 usb, oppo bdp 103 and 203, denon x7200W, Marantz av7703. The chord mojo defeated all these systems in sound quality. I had even purchased AK Kann and ifi dsd micro BL. They could't able to compete with the mojo in terms of pure emotion and musicality. When I heard about the chord hugo 2 release, I had planned to purchase it. When I first heard it, I was not fully satisfied with the sound quality. The main reason was Hugo2 was more transparent compared to Mojo. Compared to mojo, hugo 2 was slightly thinner, less warm, more detailed, reveals lots and lots of micro details, wider sound stage, ultimate instrument separation. Somehow my mind was not adjusted to Hugo 2 when I listened to mp3 songs. I had tried with CD quality WAV/Flac songs too and same results. It surprises you with more nuances, but the ultimate musicality that you got via Mojo was missing. I couldn't able to understand the problem. Suddenly, my mojo got repaired and sent it for service. I had to listen to Hugo 2 for 2 months. Now, I started understanding the reality. Like an AR Rahman song, Hugo 2 started growing inside you slowly. But once you are addicted to its musicality, you cannot use any other DAC/DAP forever. When I have got mojo, I came to know what I was missing via Mojo and what I have got via Hugo 2. Now, if you want to switch to any other DAC/DAP - It would be really difficult since your mind and heart both wants you to listen only to Hugo 2 since the sound is exceptional via Hugo2. Between Mojo and Hugo 2 - I am using Mojo for car listening and Hugo 2 for main hi-fi system listening.

Significant step up from Mojo.Small transportable & future proof .Stellar sound out of any source . Superb imaging and sound signature.
Thanks Raghav ..

Designed by rob watts of chord electronics, this dac sounds extremly close to works best chord Dave dac at a fraction of price. The first impression is of extreme clarity but with the refinement only possible with best analog gear. Sound instantly reminds of a vinyl record but with lot more bass extension. It works as a digital pre so one can attach a power amp directly saving the cost of high end pre and interconnects. Sound is neither warm nor cold, in fact it is on very slight warmer side as compared to Hugo 1. It is suited to all kind of music be it in lossless or lossy format. Vocals are extremely communicative and focused. Simply add a good power amp ( or even integrated amp ) and you have a system which can beat many much more expensive high end systems. It requires though 50 to 80 hours burn in , preferably with isotek burn in track.

Music-based audio measurements of Hugo 2 are very impressive. Best of all measured so far.