Chord Electronics Hugo 2 DAC Review & Comments

Ed Selley

The revised and updated Chord Hugo 2 is intended to better its predecessor in every way but can it really move the benchmark for portable audio?
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muljao

I think it's getting even a more niche product, certainly the input cables required been not easily purchased. You mentioned that the 2 headphones 3.5mm allowed comparison on the original, could that still be done using the 3.5 and 6.3 if you use an adapter on one?

Your bonkers design comment is so true though

Ed Selley

You could but the gain will differ slightly.

daveyu

Just wondering what you think more expensive dacs such as Auralic Vega, MSB Analog, Chord Dave etc give you that the Hugo 2 does not

Collusion

I haven't heard the Hugo 2 yet, but MSB Analog DAC absolutely destroys the original Hugo.

daveyu

In what way?

Collusion

MSB has better resolution, more natural frequency balance ( Chord's products have a slight midrange boost ), better 3D soundstage and especially something I would describe as an analogue ambiance ( = zero digital sibilance ). However, Chord's presentation can be more colourful, but in my opinion it is a bit artificial even if it can blow some extra life into some recordings. If you are into this sort of things, you would probably want to audition Chord Dave.   

Of course MSB is much more expensive and has less features than Hugo, which is still a fine dac at its price range. But I am confident when I am talking about MSB destroying Hugo, since IMHO it is better in all thinkable ways.

I just sold my Hugo and now I am pondering if I should go for Hugo 2 as I originally planned, or just take the plunge and buy MSB instead.

invisiblekid

That sentence reads like a You Tube video featuring a news channel talking about Trump!

Given this is audio we are talking, it's not a definitive, this sounds better than that at this price point at least. If something was much cheaper and compares to this then you have some leeway. The MSB is erm, not cheaper, or looking to be the same thing. They are very different products, that happen to be doing a similar job. I cant imagine carting around the MSB to connect with different systems.

However, the OP raised to point about the MSB etc compared against the Hugo and if the MSB handles music like you say it does, then I'd happily be interested in it. But ouch. Not at nearly 3 1/2 times the price. It looks better though. I am really not sold on the Hugos' looks. The Mojo is fine, but a "big version" of the Mojo (yes I know, the Mojo is actually a small version on the Hugo), for £1800 and it's glowing Skittles for buttons? Hmmm, but with some active speakers doing not much else but gathering dust, I'm kinds interested.

mainaman

I haven't heard any of them yet,but if portability is not a priority,anyone shopping for a DAC in this price range should check out the offerings from Holo,Denafrips,Soekris,Schiit and others.

Canti1982

Hopefully we will see a successor to the 2Qute based on the Hugo 2, I would not really need portability as I would only want it as a dac for my main system. Saying this I would probably spend all my money on vinyl and never afford one anyway