CHORD''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''s latest Hugo decoding amp is equipped with the latest FPGA partition programmable logic gate array, processing all digital signal sources, including receiving decoding, phase locked loop（PLL）, RAM Buffer control, WTA filtering and "Pulse Array Digital to Analog Converter"（Pulse Array DAC）. Makes the overall resolution better, more details, and more accurate focus. The biggest benefit is naturally that the precision of decoding is improved, which directly improves the clarity of sound quality and the sense of music.
Hugo decoding has built-in 5 sets of digital inputs, including A2DP wireless Bluetooth APTX, connecting to a computer via USB, supporting PCM with 384kHz sampling rate and DSD 128 playback, high-resolution DXD music files, etc. Hugo decoding has two sets of USB inputs, one of which is dedicated to mobile phones and tablets. The interface does not require driver plug-and-play, supports 16-bit/48kHz audio decoding, and is fully compatible with all iPhone, iPad and Android devices; in addition, A set of USB ports are specially designed for computer connection, using asynchronous USB design. After installing the Windows or Mac OS driver, it supports the decoding and playback of 32-bit/384KHz PCM and DSD128 ultra-high-definition master-level audio files.
CHORD’s latest Hugo decoding amp is equipped with a newly developed automatic correction technology. It processes large-flow audio data through an advanced FPGA high-performance processor. The USB part is first received through a chip with a built-in FIFO buffer memory. In the same transmission mode, the FPGA switches the input terminal, uniformly gives the clock signal and processes the decoding, digital phase locked loop PLL, RAM Buffer control, WTA filtering and digital analog conversion, which can maintain extremely low time base error and digital noise floor, and It has extremely low total harmonic distortion but no odd harmonic distortion, giving the sound the charm of analog audio, and high resolution at low volume, allowing large-flow DSD128, DXD and 384kHz PCM mastering audio files The decoding achieves perfect reproduction.
Hugo adopts the same flagship pulse array digital/analog conversion and decoding technology, which can directly process DSD data at 1bit, and also supports 44.1kHz up-conversion 384kHz sampling rate in PCM audio mode, except for advanced asynchronous USB input（ 384kHz）In addition, it also has two digital inputs（Coaxial and optical fiber）. In addition to cable connection, Hugo also supports wireless Bluetooth connection, supports the A2DP Bluetooth standard, and uses a specially customized APTX codec to realize wireless sharing and playback of high-quality music on mobile phones/tablets. In view of the trend of more and more people using music phones, the corresponding advanced decoders that support the A2DP Bluetooth wireless standard are indeed very innovative.
CHORD Hugo is equipped with an advanced headphone amplifier, coupled with a set of advanced reference-level digital volume control components, and the analog amplifier part adopts a high-bias amplifier output design to provide a more natural sound performance. Provides two 3.5mm headphone jacks, a 6.35mm headphone jack, and a pair of stereo RCA analog audio output. There is a set of high-performance rechargeable batteries built-in, which can work at full load for about 14 hours. The small and exquisite Hugo shell is made of precision-machined aerospace-grade aluminum alloy, and the anode is bright silver.
Product Specifications:
Inputs
Optical TOSLink 24-bit/192kHz-capable
RCA coaxial input 24-bit/384kHz-capable
Driverless USB input 16-bit/48kHz-capable (designed for tablets/phones)
HD USB input 32-bit/384KHz and DSD128-capable (for computer/laptop playback; see driver details below)
Drivers
On a PC (Vista, Win 7 or 8) Hugo will playback music up to 384KHz and support both DSD64 and DSD128, but for this you must install the supplied driver which comes in the box and is also available on this product page.
On Apple Mac OS, iOS for iPhone/iPad and Android, no drivers are required and Hugo will work up to 384KHz and DSD64/128 if your playback software/app can support it.
Outputs
2x3.5mm headphone jacks
1x6.35mm (1/4 inch) headphone jack
1x (pair) stereo RCA phono output
Technical specs
Advanced digital volume control
Crossfeed filter network
Battery powered for approximately 14 hours operation
Input, sample rate and volume level indication by colour-change LEDs
26K tap-length filter (more than double when compared to the QuteHD DAC)
Headphone output: 110dB SPL into a 300ohm headphone load
Output power– 1KHz 1V sinewave both channels driven 0.1% distortion
600 ohms 35mW
300 ohms 70mW
56 ohms 320mW
32 ohms 600mW
8 ohms 720mW
THD– 1KHz 3V output: 0.0005%
Dynamic Range: 120dB
Output impedance: 0.075 ohms
Damping factor>100
Weight: 0.4kg
Dimensions: 100x20x132mm (WxHxD)